[Harp-L] Don Brooks

[PowerBook G4 <bon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I know Rob Paparozzi has mentioned how musical Donny was; I have a  
special place in my heart for Don Brooks.  He studied chromatic with  
me at a time when he was already an established session player.  I  
gave him enough skills on chromatic to get by on most jingles and then  
we would cover for each other on everything else.

I can not tell you how many times I called him to save my fanny on  
anything that was that country blues folk style. "Donny, I'm down at  
Clinton, Mercury Marine boat motors jingle.  Get down here now!!"  And  
later I would hear the spot and his playing was so right, so musical.

I miss him; I am glad I got to know him as a friend and colleague; I  
only wish I were half as nice a person as he was.  He had that way of  
playing and staying out of the way of the singer yet still taking a  
solo; hard to describe.

We eventually went on to design some Marine Band harmonicas with screw  
down plates and a thin sheet of cork between the chromed brass comb  
and the plates.  Very loud, very air tight and this was before Hohner  
had the Meisterclasse.  Donny had a whole set including country  
tunings and minor.   I still have one.  It makes me sad to look at it  
and remember just how much music went down the drain when he died.

Do me a favor in Donny's memory; take time to make music, think about  
the phrase, think about the tone and make them beautiful.  Back off  
the  1000's of notes and stop and smell the roses.  Donny would smile.

Harmonically yours,

Roberto
http://www.robertbonfiglio.com