Re: [Harp-L] VIDEO--Gregoire Maret with Herbie Hancock KKL Luzern 3.11.2008 - YouTube

[Slim Heilpern <slim@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Gregoire has proven (to me, at least) time and again that he plays from the heart, has great technique, and that he is constantly exploring new pathways in harmonica jazz. 

Randy, I wish you could have seen the concert he did in San Francisco a while back where he was a last-minute sub for Toots. He played unrehearsed with Toots' band (in this case it was Kenny Werner, Oscar Castro Neves, and Airto), playing mostly Toots' repertoire. Not only did he play brilliantly and beautifully for the entire evening, it really had the feel of a loving tribute to Toots without sounding like an imitation. I think this might have warmed you up to him... maybe ;-).

I am so delighted that he is applying his great gifts to our instrument. Through him, and other upcoming super talents (there are quite a few now) the chromatic harmonica will indeed live on in jazz beyond Toots and Stevie.

I'm not sure I can answer your question about objective standards, but do I love it, yes, and does it speak to me and fill my soul, yes indeed!

I also highly recommend his new self-titled CD. It features some wonderful guests, including Toots.

- Slim.

www.SlideManSlim.com

On Sep 17, 2012, at 9:39 PM, Randy Singer wrote:

> i don't know.....it must be me....i must be getting old.....I just do not understand this sonic "dissonance" and apparent disregard for melody.  There is technique that could be considered a "new sound" yet is it musical? Certainly herbie and pat metheny could not be wrong in utitlizing him......or is it a case of the emperor's new clothing?  Then again many great masters were not quite understood when they first came out...and history has proved the nay sayers wrong.
> 
> I love coltrane, monk, and other far outside players. But this player confounds me.
> 
> Are there any objective standards I can apply here? Do you love it? Does it speak to you and fill your soul? 
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az_WSkKM5CU&sns=em
> 
> 
>