[Harp-L] Steve Baker

[Robert Koch <rok68@xxxxxxx>]

Le 17/08/2015 16:44, Winslow Yerxa a Ãcrit :
> We were sorry not to have Steve with us for the 2015 SPAH convention - it was a fine one. We'll be in San Antonio, Texas, in 2016, an are still scanning the horizon for 2017; we're hearing some intriguing possibilities but it's too soon to say much more than that.
>
> International artists are always welcome, and Steve is much more than that. He's a primary authority on the diatonic harmonica, has a long history as a consultant to Hohner and an advocate for players within that fabled and industry-moving company. He's also an ambassador from Hohner to the players with a credibility that derives from his status as a player and artist. As a player, his excellence as an artist is enhanced by his unique Europe-based perspective on the blues tradition and its wider application to other styles.
>
> The cost of overseas travel is always an issue. Some, such as Filip Jers, are able to secure grants to fund their SPAH attendance, some are able to thread the labyrinthine maze and expense of performing visas to enable touring and thereby fit in a SPAH visit, as with Brendan Power this year, while a few are supported by harmonica manufacturers. Here's hoping that once the dust settles with recent changes at Hohner, they'll see the value that Steve represents to the North American harmonica community.
    I'll second that, Winslow! As a player, you said it all. As a 
teacher, he always pointed out that is is "playing the music" and not 
the sole harmonica. That puts him apart.
    Robert Koch, the Frenchie of the convention (nobody's perfect!)