[Harp-L] Garden State Harmonica Festival Experience

[Cljdm@xxxxxxx]

Hey everyone,
 
I spent from 3:pm to 3:am on Friday at the harmonica  gathering. I was  
sorry to miss Rob P's and Dennis G's seminars earlier in that day.  This was 
the first time I attended anything like this for harmonica, and I must  say I 
really dug it. Wish I could have been there more, but had some  commitments. 
 
First of all I met a bunch of great people. Not just good harp players, but 
 nice, friendly  people. Loved talking  with Al and Judy Smith,  Bob 
McFarlane, Danny G, Elizabeth, Manhattan Walter, and Smo-Joe, along with  everyone 
else.  Had a lot of laughs talking with Smo-Joe. He is a wealth of  
knowledge. I wish I had picked his brain a bit more.
 
I enjoyed all the shows, especially Dennis Gruenling's  set.  Daddy T ( on 
Chromo) and the 17 North band tore the  place up.
 
I loved sitting around in a circle of harp players and jamming  to the  
guitar player's 12 bar patterns and various rhythms. Thanks to  Octavia and to 
the other guitar player who's name I did not catch. They did a  fine job 
laying it down for all of us. 
 
I also bought some Seydel's Soloist Pro harps from Danny G. Nice  harps, 
and I can't wait to dive into them. I usually like Marine Bands, but  these 
Seydel babies are pretty tight and right. Love the maple comb.
 
But the best aspect of this festival was the next generation of musicians  
that were present. Jay Gaunt, LD Miller, Zack Gavira, and another dude  
who's name I did not catch. All of them are hungry for the harp and love  
playing. And all of them seem to be happy, fun loving  well  adjusted individuals. 
Yet very serious about their  music. The  future is bright with these young 
people, no doubt  in my mind. Jason R  better watch his back with Jay 
coming up. 
 
Then there was Josh (oh my gosh) King  (that's  what Smo-Joe  calls him). 
He put smiles on everyone's face when he played, and I mean PLAYED.  Great 
kid, gifted and hard working. He could not get enough of the festival, and  he 
seem to soak up every minute at the age of nine.
 
This makes me want to go to Spah next year in a big way.
 
Best to everyone,
 
Chris Mastakas