[Harp-L] Garden State Harmonica Festival - a brief redux

[jeff silverman <jeffsilverman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Having attended, over the years, many different events in similar 
settings (conventions, conclaves, seminars and the like) within and 
outside of the music industry, I have to to take my hat off to Val for 
how her work and obviously tireless efforts paid off...in a remarkably 
wonderful way!  BIG standing ovation!!

For me, as I was sadly only able to attend on Saturday (business had me 
on a week-long jaunt elsewhere)...the wonderful moments started as I 
pulled up, bumping into Rob Paparozzi  and Steve Guyger outside 
schmoozing.  How wonderfully gracious and warm Mr. Paparozzi was in 
person, a real delight.  Steve as well, I had the great pleasure of 
sharing the table with him during the banquet. His open conversation 
with me about all things harp was refereshing and funny as hell. And 
George W. Miklas...I wish I had more time to hang out with you all that 
night: I had to hit the road around 11:00 p.m.  Another time and place 
George...drinks for the band are on me.

Speaking of the table were I sat (Kudos to Val for accomodating late 
comer's like me, she had the hotel staff stand to and get another table 
ready for us "johnny come lately's"), I had the pleasure of meeting Seth 
Feldman, the only surviving original member of the Harmonica Rascals. 
Holy cow what stories he had to share!  So many stories from so many 
people. I am again convinced that if Chicago is considered the spiritual 
home to the diatonic blues harp player, the NYC area must be considered 
the (or at least one of the) spiritual homes to the chromatic jazz 
player. So much talent on display in one place. I was enraptured and 
humbled.

Often times the truth of how people feel can be determined while 
overhearing their conversations.  I heard not a nary of negativity while 
at the banquet. and I made it a point to stand everywhere I could to 
take pics. Quite the contrary, people where effusive in the positive 
things they had to say about how well it was run, how much there was 
happening and how wonderfully it all turned out.

Excellent Job Val,  wonderful job!  Thank you for inviting me and thank 
you for introducing me to so many in our fabulous harp family!


Jeff Silverman, Publisher
Email: jeff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Webpage: http://www.harmonica411.com

myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/harmonica411
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/harmonica411
and on facebook:  simply type harmonica 411 into the search field