[Harp-L] My Second SPAH, not my last!

[David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey fellow harpsuckers! ÂIt's been a while since I chimed in on Harp-L, but having finally attended another SPAH convention (Denver; my first was at Sacto in '09) and reading the informative threads about the Denver SPAH, I can only add a few thoughts:Â
I loved the presence of vocalists, and other instruments. ÂMore, the merrier. ÂWhile a wide array of harmonicas can cover lots of sonic territory, voice, percussion, strings and such really add dimension to the jams and to the sound. ÂAnd the 3-part harmony in the late -night Americana jam was stupendous! Next time I come to a SPAH convention, I will bring some light percussion stuff, Âanything that fills out the sound outside of the free-reeds is an enhancement to the jamming experience, especially when there are dozen harps being blown! ÂBassist Tod "Buckweed" Edmund is always a plus! Â
I like that blues was really only a part of the whole scene, lots of cross-pollination of style and technique were taught in all the great seminars/workshops. . ÂManfred Wewers did a great job of managing the seminar roster, Âalas the curse of success is- more of the same work! ÂOur great benefit. ÂAnd Joe Filisko's teach-ins were like going to a free candy store!Â
Of course the so-called "blues jam circle" (I call it a Riff-Circle) could never have happened, particularly to such an extent, without the infinite patience of guitarist (and secret harp player) Eric Noden, who was everywhere playing guitar backup for so many harp players, at all hours. ÂHe loves it. ÂHe is nuts, and a real mensch. ÂJoe Filisko is so lucky, and so are we.
And the whole spirit of support, sharing, and shared mission, with all ages, styles and skill-levels, is just ideal. Â
'Nuff said! Â Oh, and,ÂSmokey Joe, congrats! ÂAlso you're right about David Fairweather, an indefatigable and almost completely disciplined jazz (and blues!) player - and singer!
-Dave Fertig Â(ps: my only minor regret is believing that 6 Suzuki BluesMasters were good harps at a good price ($26.66 ea), but okay, I will practice my reed-work on 'em, perhaps they'll become playable before I destroy 'em! ÂC'est la vie!)
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 Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 10:40 PM
 Subject: Harp-L Digest, Vol 144, Issue 16
   
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Today's Topics:

 1. Re: SPAH and me (Gary Lehmann)
 2. Re: SPAH and me (rosco)
 3. Re: SPAH and me (rosco)
 4. Re: SPAH and me (Joseph Leone)
 5. Re: SPAH and me (Joseph Leone)
 6. SPAH and me (MANFRED WEWERS)
 7. Re: SPAH and me (Patrice) (Patrice Rayon)
 8. Tony Eyers explains the Third Hole (Tony Eyers)
 9. Re: SPAH and me (Rick Dempster)
There was a lot of vocal stuff in the lobby, I spent most of half an hour singing three-part harmony with Brenda Freed and Tom Moore.
And the jazz jam allowed singers, smokey Joe would have been horrified.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 20, 2015, at 10:05 AM, Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Rosco, 
> I tend to agree. However, I do really enjoy the instrumental expertise of many of the players in addition several genres harmonica trio and jazz tend to leave out vocals for the most part. In addition this year and last we had a couple of really great vocal seminars (thanks Brenda), which I hope continues. 
> 
> That said I would be very interested in some suggestions from you and other members on how we improve on this aspect which is lacking. Please give some suggestions on how this would look, how we would staff it and if there would be a cost/benefit aspect. 
> 
> Ideas: 
> More seminars on voice. 
> Seminars on working with a band, including vocals 
> Jams which specifically include vocals for those that want it. This may also help reduce the large groups which some jams get and offer some variety. 
> 
> Suggestion: volunteer to work on this. 
> 
> Thanks Jerry 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> 
> From: "rosco" <roscoharp@xxxxxxxxx> 
> To: "Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx> 
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 9:30:11 AM 
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH and me 
> 
> I hope I made it clear that I am not really indicting SPAH - most of the 
> attendees love it. And I probably could have summed up my thoughts more 
> succinctly. What I was trying to explain is that what I do mostly these 
> days, what I am most interested in, is using harmonica to accompany a band, 
> with a singer or singers, in a way that serves the song and not the 
> instrument. SPAH is amazing and it has a great variety of music (much of 
> which I like!) with a huge amount of harp soloing and showing off (In a 
> good way!)...There just is not much music like I'm playing these days and 
> would love to hear. 
> 
> 
>> 
>> 
> 



BUSTED - it's the old "Sure, Rosco -it's easy to complain - now what do you
want to do about it?" Answer: I don't know! And I'm not actually getting my
point across very well... it's not that I missed singers and vocals - it's
that I miss integrating harp into bands with vocals and other more common
instruments outside of strictly Blues...and then playing songs -maybe even
songs that you've never heard before-Â in a way that adds to the experience
of the listener and bandmates.

On Thu, Aug 20, 2015 at 1:37 PM, Gary Lehmann <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> There was a lot of vocal stuff in the lobby, I spent most of half an hour
> singing three-part harmony with Brenda Freed and Tom Moore.
> And the jazz jam allowed singers, smokey Joe would have been horrified.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Aug 20, 2015, at 10:05 AM, Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > Rosco,
> > I tend to agree. However, I do really enjoy the instrumental expertise
> of many of the players in addition several genres harmonica trio and jazz
> tend to leave out vocals for the most part. In addition this year and last
> we had a couple of really great vocal seminars (thanks Brenda), which I
> hope continues.
> >
> > That said I would be very interested in some suggestions from you and
> other members on how we improve on this aspect which is lacking. Please
> give some suggestions on how this would look, how we would staff it and if
> there would be a cost/benefit aspect.
> >
> > Ideas:
> > More seminars on voice.
> > Seminars on working with a band, including vocals
> > Jams which specifically include vocals for those that want it. This may
> also help reduce the large groups which some jams get and offer some
> variety.
> >
> > Suggestion: volunteer to work on this.
> >
> > Thanks Jerry
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> >
> >
>


As far as me helping out - I'm still learning this stuff, I'm a terrible
teacher, and I'm not very organized... but I'm happy to answer questions
and participate in discussions.

*Couple 3Â ideas:*
*> *A panel discussion is a possibility - there are some heavy players who
do this kind of work professionally
*> *A participatory workshop with an actual professional band that has a
songlist including singer/songwriter tunes and a variety of other styles.
*> *I know I personally received a LOT of insight on fitting in from pro
songwriters and recording producer/engineers...find one of those guys who
will address the reputation, potential uses, and advancement our instrument


On Thu, Aug 20, 2015 at 1:05 PM, Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Rosco,
> I tend to agree. However, I do really enjoy the instrumental expertise of
> many of the players in addition several genres harmonica trio and jazz tend
> to leave out vocals for the most part. In addition this year and last we
> had a couple of really great vocal seminars (thanks Brenda), which I hope
> continues.
>
> That said I would be very interested in some suggestions from you and
> other members on how we improve on this aspect which is lacking. Please
> give some suggestions on how this would look, how we would staff it and if
> there would be a cost/benefit aspect.
>
> Ideas:
> More seminars on voice.
> Seminars on working with a band, including vocals
> Jams which specifically include vocals for those that want it. This may
> also help reduce the large groups which some jams get and offer some
> variety.
>
> Suggestion: volunteer to work on this.
>
> Thanks Jerry
>
> ------------------------------
>
>



On Aug 20, 2015, at 2:58 PM, rosco wrote:

> BUSTED - it's the old "Sure, Rosco -it's easy to complain - now what do you
> want to do about it?" Answer: I don't know! And I'm not actually getting my
> point across very well...

Yes you are handsome. Our Sunday supper club gig is exactly what you are thinking about. In any given night we cover:
jazzified pop, jazz, jass, pop, country, zydeco, gypsy swing, doo-wop, blues, Latin, Afro-Cuban, movie themes. But nothing 
one could call rock. 
We have singers. Usually female. They keep changing the keys. lol. We feature guest artists. It's all for the love of music.
The group numbers from 3 or 4 up to 6 or 8. Instruments: B3, baby grand, guitar, dbl bass, sax, flute, clarinet, congas, trumpet,
diatonic & chromatic harp. Rare trombone, violin, and once an oboe. lol

smo-joe


> it's not that I missed singers and vocals - it's
> that I miss integrating harp into bands with vocals and other more common
> instruments outside of strictly Blues...and then playing songs -maybe even
> songs that you've never heard before-Â in a way that adds to the experience
> of the listener and bandmates.
> 
> On Thu, Aug 20, 2015 at 1:37 PM, Gary Lehmann <gnarlyheman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> There was a lot of vocal stuff in the lobby, I spent most of half an hour
>> singing three-part harmony with Brenda Freed and Tom Moore.
>> And the jazz jam allowed singers, smokey Joe would have been horrified.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 20, 2015, at 10:05 AM, Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Rosco,
>>> I tend to agree. However, I do really enjoy the instrumental expertise
>> of many of the players in addition several genres harmonica trio and jazz
>> tend to leave out vocals for the most part. In addition this year and last
>> we had a couple of really great vocal seminars (thanks Brenda), which I
>> hope continues.
>>> 
>>> That said I would be very interested in some suggestions from you and
>> other members on how we improve on this aspect which is lacking. Please
>> give some suggestions on how this would look, how we would staff it and if
>> there would be a cost/benefit aspect.
>>> 
>>> Ideas:
>>> More seminars on voice.
>>> Seminars on working with a band, including vocals
>>> Jams which specifically include vocals for those that want it. This may
>> also help reduce the large groups which some jams get and offer some
>> variety.
>>> 
>>> Suggestion: volunteer to work on this.
>>> 
>>> Thanks Jerry
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> 
>>> 
>> 




Actually Gary, I wouldn't. As I just wrote attached to Roscoe's post, we do that all the time. BUT, here's some problems:
And this just refers to the jazz jams. But it could also gravitate into other jams. 

1... Jazz jams are for what they are. Basically jazz. It's not Americas got talent time. 
2... There are only 45 min, 15 min break, and another 45 min. (total 1.5 hrs) to do the jam.
3... Nothing against women, but once one sings, there are always more. OUR jam is 'jammed' with them. (pun intended).
4... Several players have come a long way to get there. They don't even get 15 minutes of fame. Maybe 12-16 bars at a time. 
5... Some singers have no business singing, and are better suited to operating an air hammer. 
6... If you are singing/playing with a group for the FIRST time, you need to have your sh*t together.

Now there IS a person whom I L O V E to listen to. Dave Fairweather (aka Jazzman). Right up there with Johnny Hartman. 

I tried to start a jazz jam over 20 years ago but it fell on deaf ears. It wasn't until Randy Singer convinced spah that it would be
a 'draw', that it all began.

j. Le one 

On Aug 20, 2015, at 1:37 PM, Gary Lehmann wrote:

> There was a lot of vocal stuff in the lobby, I spent most of half an hour singing three-part harmony with Brenda Freed and Tom Moore.
> And the jazz jam allowed singers, smokey Joe would have been horrified.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 20, 2015, at 10:05 AM, Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>> Rosco, 
>> I tend to agree. However, I do really enjoy the instrumental expertise of many of the players in addition several genres harmonica trio and jazz tend to leave out vocals for the most part. In addition this year and last we had a couple of really great vocal seminars (thanks Brenda), which I hope continues. 
>> 
>> That said I would be very interested in some suggestions from you and other members on how we improve on this aspect which is lacking. Please give some suggestions on how this would look, how we would staff it and if there would be a cost/benefit aspect. 
>> 
>> Ideas: 
>> More seminars on voice. 
>> Seminars on working with a band, including vocals 
>> Jams which specifically include vocals for those that want it. This may also help reduce the large groups which some jams get and offer some variety. 
>> 
>> Suggestion: volunteer to work on this. 
>> 
>> Thanks Jerry 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> 
>> From: "rosco" <roscoharp@xxxxxxxxx> 
>> To: "Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx> 
>> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
>> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 9:30:11 AM 
>> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH and me 
>> 
>> I hope I made it clear that I am not really indicting SPAH - most of the 
>> attendees love it. And I probably could have summed up my thoughts more 
>> succinctly. What I was trying to explain is that what I do mostly these 
>> days, what I am most interested in, is using harmonica to accompany a band, 
>> with a singer or singers, in a way that serves the song and not the 
>> instrument. SPAH is amazing and it has a great variety of music (much of 
>> which I like!) with a huge amount of harp soloing and showing off (In a 
>> good way!)...There just is not much music like I'm playing these days and 
>> would love to hear. 
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
> 




 All instruments are welcome and SPAH has seen quiteÂaÂfew over the years. Yes people sing. As seminar coordinator I encourage people to give non-harmonica seminars and some do, as was the case in Denver. Vocal seminars were well attended.
Manfred
I went only one time for now too SPAH convention, for the 50th birthday that I really didn't want to miss first... but also to see again some friends that I met in Europe, and other harmonica lovers from all the world there. Great souvenirs like meeting Jerry Devillier, seeing James Conway, Joe and Eric in USA, being with Roger Trobridge, Ben Hewlett, four other french (the great thing would be to be more perhaps also have some friends from Spain and around, NHL ...)

I still have a Great souvenir of the one in St Louis...And for sure I want to come back again. I expected to come this year, also to discover Colorado...But for that you need more than one week :), and to make a choice with hollidays !... I had too make a trip for two weeks going also in Colorado this year with some friends, but which was cancelled for this time and was too late to be in the hotel of the convention. For me no problem to hear the harmonica 24h a day for 4 or more days :) (I sleep well)

>From France is a long trip, and coming to SPAH to miss SPAH for me Never :) !!!... Last time I went for 6 days (plus 2days trip) and could walk along downtown for two full days but more would have been better (really appreciate...my very first time in USA). I remember 2013 seeing people from Japan, Australia, Sweden ...

Maybe few people knows about the website (harmonicacontact) I make, just for fun and because I really apreciate this family of instruments with its diversity... all the involvment of it in musique, health, society etc... So complete !... I don't even cover 1% in the links I share and spend far more time to share, than to work my instrument, even don't play in a band because prefer to share about the instrument... I know several harmonica lovers who even never played harmonica ;) ... how to explain, this is an other way to appreciate and have good time, also if you can get people to discover new places, festivals and see how they are happy to be there is sufficient to understand ...

So the more diversity about style, people, harmonicas sounds more magic again too me. The day I retire, I guess I spend far more time to travel and meet other people, play more, have fun etc... 

Also I am very curious to discover about the harmonica associations in USA, like in other countries, to discover about common questions, problems, queries, solutions, etc... Also as a passionate that can help to understand more again about the way the harmonica is received, can develop itself, be more present, more accepted etc... Also the more you meet people from everywhere, every countries, and the more you can be informed about new talents, great bands and so on... 

HARP-L is also a way to discover a lot, exchange :). I don't forget about it. Thank you to Joe Filisko, Herb Levin, all the ones who shared images, and videos about this convention. This is not as good as being there with all the good waves, but very "sympathique" attention from them to the ones not there... 

I don't know if the next SPAH convention will all take place the second week of August ?

Patrice (Sorry for my english)
 ÂÂÂ ÂÂÂ ÂÂÂ Â ÂÂÂ ÂÂÂ Â 
A while back I wrote a "Harmonica World" article about navigating the 
third hole. I've now put it online, you can see it 
athttp://harmonicatunes.com/the-third-hole/ 
<http://harmonicatunes.com/the-third-hole/>

Tony Eyers
Australia

www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
...everyone plays



I think people could see why I asked this question. There are very few
'vacancies' for the position of 'harmonica player' in the music world.
Thus, most players that I know front their own band. Either that, or they
play another instrument, and the harp is usually a second.
Many harp players are jammers, and don't necessarily have a solo
repertoire, or one that can be used as a functional act for gigs.
RD

On 21 August 2015 at 06:15, MANFRED WEWERS <mwewers@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Â All instruments are welcome and SPAH has seen quite a few over the years.
> Yes people sing. As seminar coordinator I encourage people to give
> non-harmonica seminars and some do, as was the case in Denver. Vocal
> seminars were well attended.
> Manfred
>