Re: [Harp-L] ricci is it mania?

["Splash" <celtiac@xxxxxxxxx>]

I did not snip this post because it was entirely relevant to something I
heard today on the radio.

Here in Miami (area) the UofM school of Jazz is pretty well regarded.  There
have been many first-rate performers do stints as professors.  The list is
too long to cite.

Anyway, I used to play sax and flute, and studied with Ira Sullivan back in
the 70s.  And they had some of us do weekend gigs in the courtyard, or over
at Gussman Hall and even Friday and Saturday nites at The Travellers Lounge
over by the airport.  With guys like Joe DeOrio, and Billy Marcus, and
whoever else was in town.  Great memories.  Lot of good jamming.  Anyway...
he's still doing it at UofM.  And he was on the local PBS radio station
today talking about another workshop for teens with attendees from all over
the world.   One comment he made today just made my jaw drop.  It was about
a time when he was teaching at Chicago U doing one of these things with kids
and this 18 year old pianist was there for a workshop.  Some kid named
Herbie.  That Herbie went on to play with the Miles Quintet, and then Chick
Corea... yup, Herbie Hancock.

Next time I'll have to ask him what that little kid was like, oh and that I
did'nt know that he was such an old fart!  And I wonder if they have a
school for Jazz Harmonica.  The sponsor of the workshop said that they
weren't going to study horn music, or guitar music, or XXXXX music  they
were going to study MUSIC!

When there are these workshops, you never know what future superb performers
are going to be there working on their chops.  And they might not be the
ones that showed the most promise at the time.  Them with the most talent
don't always make it, but them with the most dedication and passion just
might.

Old Fart!
Splash
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Grant Walters" <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 1:39 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] ricci is it mania?


> Love this hype and Dis... About Ricci
>
> Won't comment on someone I have not seen in Concert.
> Can't wait to see what all this is about.
> sounds like the guy knows his instrument and has a "show".
> I am jealous of purple hair as I have lost most of mine.
>
> Wonder who else gets you hearts beating?
>
> First time I heard Mad Cat Ruth on the Hohner album,
> I was upset.  The guy was on fire.
> He wasn't playing it the "right" way. (early 80's?)
> I knew how "scratch my back " went; hell everyone did it the same way.
> Everyone!
>
> I wrote a letter to Mad Cat and he wrote back explaining the non
> bullet mic/ technique, etc.
> No internet back then but I was impressed by the generous nature of
> the man...never met him.
>
> In my town, Norton Buffalo would play frequently and I could sneak in
> the bar (underage) to see him.
> This was not  a Harmonica in his hands.  It was a fiddle, guitar,
> hammer, train, and what a band.
> Harp players probably said he was not playing the right way but he had
> commercial success so who could argue.
> As I worked with him as an adult (producing a show), I found him to be
> the most creative and interesting guy.
> He even made his own clothes.
> He used a bullet mic, a singing mic, pedals every kind of harp and
> played "too fast" according to some.
> I did not love everything he did and I doubt he was worried about it.
>
> Lee Oscar's approach was certainly very cool, how did harp players
> react to it when he came on the scene?
> Magic Dick honored the old school at concerts where women tore their
> tops off....Rock N Roll...or was it blues?
> I loved this guy.
>
> Please let me know who the new school guys are...I love Richard
> Hunter's pedals too.
> I'll be at their concerts when they come to town.
>
> But they will never replace the guys who came before them.
> How lucky we are to be able to talk about all this...
> I'v always been supportive of the new guys.
>
> Used to show up to support Little John Chrisley when he was a 13 year
> old phenom.
> Some guys would dis him "too many notes".  The guy was 13.  Lighten up.
> Not sure how many years he was 13, but I loved the energy and "show".
> See he is still playing...right on John.
>
>
>
> Now, I think I will go back and listen to some of that old Vinyl
> tonight just to remember how sweet it was/is.
>
> Grant