Re: [Harp-L] Garden State Harmonica Festival Experience

[Cljdm@xxxxxxx]

Hi all,
 
Just one thing I left out in my original post about  this  fabulous 
festival. And that is THANK YOU to all that put it together.  I am
well aware that these events take a lot of organizing and hard work. Your  
efforts really paid off. 
 
There is one thing I do sought of regret. If I had it to do over again, I  
would have canceled some commitments (which I never like to do once I  
commit) 
and came back on Sat. for the electric jam and all the stars that showed up 
 for the evenings festivities. I will plan better for the next festival for 
 sure.
 
But just being there on Friday was a terrific experience for me.
 
Thanks to everyone I met,
 
Chris Mastakas
 
 
In a message dated 11/22/2009 7:54:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Cljdm@xxxxxxx writes:

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



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