[Harp-L] John Walden in Africa

[MundHarp@xxxxxxx]

I recorded my harmonica on  this track with the fantastic and VERY TALENTED 
vocalist Cynthia Gentle, in  Edinburgh Scotland back in May 2015. I love to 
play African music... This song  is from Senegal. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRTNv6Kwm-A

In a weeks time I expect to be back in Scotland. I really hope to be able  
to perform (and record) more music with the great Cynthia Gentle when I get 
back  there.

I have been playing African American music most of my life so far...  
Started playing jazz on the chromatic harmonica when I was just 8 years old.  
(Inspired by Dutch harmonica virtuoso, the great Max Geldray) When I was 13  
years old, I heard âSad Hoursâ by Little Walter (Marion Walter Jacobs). 
Started  to play diatonic âcross harpâ and I have been known as a âbluesmanâ 
ever  since.
But Africa wasn't just the place that â the bluesâ was born. It was, and  
remains the home of much absolutely fantastic music! For the past three 
months I  have been working in East Africa as an un-waged Christian missionary. 
This has  meant I have gotten to play my harmonica in Church almost every 
day. It has been  wonderful. I have played SOME blues, but mostly I have 
played Kenyan Gospel  music.
Within one week I expect to be back to my home in bonnie Scotland. I  am 
English by birth, but have been based in Rutherglen Scotland for the past few  
years.

I don't care where I reside in this world. Yes I love to travel, but that  
really isn't important. What is important for me is to play my music. I play 
 several musical instruments, but consider myself a âharmonicistâ first 
and  foremost! Diatonic? Chromatic? Both wonderful instruments. I guess In my 
heart I  like the chromatic best, but play my diatonics the  most.

Who cares? It isn't what you device you play that matters, it is the  MUSIC 
that matters. 

John âWhiteboyâ Walden 
Just now in:
Shanzu, Coastal  Kenya.

(Otherwise known as Pastor, the Rev Dr VJ "John"  Walden)