[Harp-L] Re: Hispanic Harp Players

[Jp Pagán <jplpagan@xxxxxxx>]

Hola Rubben, everyone,

Now that the conversation is opening up a little past just hispanic harp players... I'm originally from Puerto Rico, and I listen to a lot of latin music, especially Salsa and the many styles that went into and came out of that. Practically no harmonica in any of that. I come to harmonica from the Blues. I assume that Michael's student is looking for blues-style players who happen to be hispanic, and not harmonica players playing in latin styles but... Howard Levy plays some salsa. He was (is?) with a Chicago salsa band. I've yet to hear it myself, but I bet it's interesting. As for Charlie, I talked to him once about his playing on Ochoa's album and the latin pieces he did on his own CDs. Charlie is a blues player, and that's what he knows, so he plays the blues "over" the latin music that moves him. I agree it's not a perfect mesh — but it's an interesting musical hybrid. I'd love to hear some Cuban players be inspired by him and take it in a different direction. 

One player I should mention who does both blues and latin VERY well is Damien Masterson. I don't think he's hispanic by birth, but he gets an honorary Latino Pass from me any day. He has a few albums out, including one called ¡Cubacambio! which is just about all latin music iirc. There is also a Texas player named Dave Spalding who is just a great all around musician. He's very close to Poncho Sanchez, and has recorded with him, though I have only heard him on a latinized cover of Ray Charles' "Mary Ann," which was great. If he's at SPAH, I'll have to ask him if he's done more recording with Poncho.

Rubben mentions Jibaro Cuban music, well, Puerto Rico has its own Jibaro music — Plena (among others). Back in the day, there *were* some plena bands that used harmonicas, but practically none survive on record. However, a 70s band from NYC — Grupo Folklorico y Experimental Nuevayorquino — revived many of those old forms, and one of their founding members was a harmonica player, Francisco "Tan" Martinez. He does some EXCELLENT playing on their "Concepts in Unity" album, all on a tremolo harmonica. It's great, latin playing that fits in perfectly. I've tried to find out more about Martinez, but haven't gotten anywhere. Yet.

Also, in Harmonica Happenings I ran an article about the harmonica in Cuba. It's from a few years back, but I'll try to get off my duff and post it spah.org for those who are interested.

Rubben, drop me a line off-list at jplpagan AT mac DOT com. I'd love to talk to you more about your playing...


JP


--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Rubben Emmanuelli <comunadesantos@...> wrote:
>
> I am...  i play merengues, salsa, bachata with my corporate gigs band. It
> was not planned. I was just bored so i started diggin it and the music
> director likes it and clients too. The other day i play for the first time
> a cumbia version of Pretemders Back on the Chaingang by Selena named as
> Fotos y Recuerdos (not sure was the name) It was fun..
> 
> About Charlie Musselwhite..the first time i heard him playing Cuban music
> sound to me kind of strange but not bad playing. I love Charlie and he's
> one of my heroes. But to me as a latin player the flow was very strange for
> my taste. Not Bad..Just strange..Great fills and bendings plus the sound
> man..No one sound like Charlie Musselwhite..and he's expanding his music
> makin it more global.  Still is a great effort and we can learn from what
> he does. I think it was the fact that Jibaro Cuban Music just depends on
> Triple,Guitar,bongos and guiro. Some add flute or trumpet for those who
> want to beautify it. No Sax..If you want to practice harmonica on some
> latin flavor stuff. Look For La Murga..from Hector Lavoe. Steady beat and
> plenty of space to fill it out. You'll find it on You Tube Karoeke
> versions..try it out. Have fun
>