[Harp-L] Re: Bob Herndon RIP

[PT Gazell <pt@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

When I made the decision to begin playing again in 2003, my first exposure
back into the harmonica world was  the SPAH convention which was held that
year in Dallas.

As I wandered around dazed at how the diatonic had grown up since 1988 when
I quit and what players were doing with it, I was more impressed by this
older gentlemen playing what looked like a typewriter. I had never even
heard of a harmonetta.  I was knocked smooth out with his musicality and
effortless precision on what I later realized was an incredibly difficult
instrument. This was of course Bob Herndon

Those of you that were there may remember that I played very very little at
that convention. I did play in private with Bob and consider it one of my
favorite musical memories. I mean the dude could play "Joy Spring" and
improvise over its changes on a HARMONETTA!!!!

He and Jim Lohman (a great chromatic player that passed last year)
encouraged me to pursue my dream of playing standards and American Songbook
selection on diatonic in a believable manner. Bob also suggested and showed
me countless tunes that would work for this endeavor.

Kudos to Michael for carrying on Bob's chosen instrument.

The harmonica community and the world of music has lost a very important
artist.

Rest in Peace Sir.

PT Gazell

pt@xxxxxxxxxxxx

http://www.ptgazell.com
http://cdbaby.com/all/gazell
http://www.youtube.com/gazell
 
> Bob Herndon passed away.  For those who do not know, he was the premiere
> Harmonetta player in the world, imo.  Bob was a fixture at SPAH, always
> providing beautiful simple backup to the jazz players in the hallway.  He
> had all the tunes memorized and if he did not know a tune, he could hear
> the chord progression simply by listening to the melody, as far as I could
> tell.  He knew countless tunes and had many tunes mastered where he would
> play the melody and the rhythm simultaneously, which I can tell you is very
> difficult.  What was amazing to me is how he had it all memorized and if
> there was something he had not memorized he could hear  it and play it
> correctly.  He gave me a CD of his harp band The Harmonikings.  It is a
> great CD.
> 
> More importantly, Bob was a great man.  I was fascinated by the harmonetta
> and drove him crazy with questions before I bought one.  Then, when I
> bought one, he really opened up and spent many free hours showing me how to
> play it.  We would talk on the phone throughout the year.
> 
> One day, he said something in another language,I wish I remembered what it
> was.  Then he said it meant "To Each, His Own."  I believe Bob was trying
> to impart a big part of his philosophy about life to me, so I pass it on to
> you.  RIP.
> 
> I would love to hear more stories.
> Michael Rubin
> Michaelrubinharmonica.com