RE: [Harp-L] Sam Hinton

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Anthony Smith" wrote:
<If you have George Winston saying such great things about a harp player
<you've got to be a heavy hitter!!!

It is a little-known fact, but true, that George Winston is a very committed harmonica player.  Last time I saw him perform, he played an extended solo piece on harmonica.  Winston listed my CD "The Act of Being Free in One Act" as an influence in the program notes for his 1997 concert series.  That CD, like Hinton's, consists of solo acoustic harmonica performances, with lots of counterpoint and other self-accompaniment techniques on display.  Since then Hinton has become an even more important influence for Winston.

I've heard, but never confirmed, that Winston's first recording session was supposed to be about harmonica, but when the producer showed up, Winston was playing the piano.  The producer supposedly said "forget the harmonica, do that piano stuff!" and proceeded to record a set of the music that has since made Winston famous.  Cool story if true.  Whether or not it's true, Winston is a very unique musician who creates an amazing soundscape on stage, and the harmonica is a big part of his musical life.

Regards, Richard Hunter
author, "Jazz Harp"
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter