[Harp-L] Virtual Chromatic Weekend: July 24-26th

[Neil Warren]

HarmonicaUK (formerly The National Harmonica League) is running a virtual Chromatic Weekend over the weekend of July 24th - 26th.

This will be an unparalleled chance to see 6 masterclasses from the some of the world’s best chromatic harmonica players.  

Cost

Entrance is free but you will be encouraged to make a contribution to the artists, who are sharing their valuable time and experience.  We will be providing a PayPal method of paying nearer the time.

Please register your interest by emailing nhlmembership at xxxxx <mailto:nhlmembership at xxxxx>.
Zoom details will be emailed out before the weekend.

Masterclasses::
All times shown are UK time. You can join as many of the Masterclasses as you like.

Grégoire Maret (time TBC)- Masterclass on ‘Modern Chromatic Harmonica’

Swiss born harmonica player and composer, Gregoire Maret moved to New York City at 18 years old to study at the New School University.

Over the course of the past decade, Gregoire has emerged as a unique and compelling new voice across a wide spectrum of the modern jazz world. He has performed with a list of some of the most famous names in music today: Prince, Sting, Elton John, Pat Metheny, Cassandra Wilson, Herbie Hancock, to name just a few.

Along the way, Maret has redefined the role of the harmonica, finding fresh pathways through a remarkable variety of styles. Marcus Miller has declared that he is "carrying the instrument into the 21st century with prowess, passion, and creativity."

Saturday 25th: 4:30 pm: Adam Glasser - Masterclass on 'Chromatic Harmonica: Burning Questions answered’

As part of the HarmonicaUK Chromatic Weekend, Adam presents a Zoom masterclass providing practical answers to your most vital questions about playing the Chromatic Harmonica. In a fast paced entertaining class, Adam will run through as many questions as possible illustrating his solutions with video and audio clips, pdfs and mp3s for you to download and practice with.  For a considered opinion and to guarantee a response,  email your questions  as soon as possible to harmonica01 at xxxxx <mailto:harmonica01 at xxxxx>  - though if time permits he will take spontaneous questions on the day!

Adam Glasser’s unique harmonica sound combines his South African roots with many years immersed in the UK jazz scene initially playing piano, his own groups as well as for SA legends such Dudu Pukwana, and as musical director for 16 years of the veteran SA vocal group the Manhattan Brothers. His 16 years as musical director led to his producing their final album ‘Inyembezi’ for EMI in 2006. Adam has since released 2 critically acclaimed albums of his own – ‘Free at First’ (2010 SAMA Best Modern Jazz Album)and ‘Mzansi’ (nominated 2012 SAMA Best Jazz Album)

Saturday 25th: 6:30 pm: Joe Powers – Masterclass on ‘Dancing with the Chromatic harmonica'

Joe Powers is known for bending and blending genres from jazz to classical, hip-hop to world music, and Argentine tango. He has collaborated with renowned Tango maestros including; Narcotango, Tanghetto, Otros Aires and Nicolás Ledesma. He has also appeared with groups/artists as diverse as Pink Martini, British pop icon Jamie Cullum, Canadian Boogie-Woogie pianist, Michael Kaeshammer, Sony jazz guitarist Yosuke Onuma, French blues legend J.J. Milteau, and the Ichikawa Symphony Orchestra in Japan. 

Sunday 26th: 1:30 pm: Brendan Power – Masterclass on ‘Folk styles on the Chromatic harmonica’

UK-based New Zealander Brendan Power is acknowledged by many as one of the most creative, skilled & versatile harmonica players around today. He has performed with artists such as Kate Bush, Sting, Van Morrison, James Galway, Paul Young, Shirley Bassey, John Williams. 

Brendan is an expert player of Irish traditional music (winning the 1993 All Ireland Title) and performed for three years as soloist in the Riverdance Show. He has recorded with many well-known Irish artists including Donal Lunny, Altan, Paul Brady, Arcady, Artie McGlynn, Mary Black and others. Brendan won the "Best Duo” title alongside Tim Edey at the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Sunday 26th: 4:30 pm: Rob Paparozzi – Masterclass on ‘Pop styles on the Chromatic harmonica'

New Jersey-based frontman, singer, & harmonica player Rob Paparozzi is at home playing a wide range of music, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to pop. This versatility is reflected in the long and remarkably diverse list of major artists Rob has worked with, including B.B.King, Dr. John, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carole King, Roberta Flack, Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, Randy Newman, Jimmy McGriff, and James Galway. Rob has toured the world with the “Original Blues Brothers Band”, featuring guitar legend Steve Cropper and special guest Eddie Floyd and also as Frontman-Lead Singer for the Legendary "Blood Sweat and Tears”.

Sunday 26th: 6:30 pm: Filip Jers - Masterclass on ‘Playing Classical music on the Chromatic’

Filip Jers received his Master Degree of Fine Arts in jazz from the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm in 2011. He was the first harmonica player ever to study there. He became double world champion on harmonica at the age of 18 at World Harmonica Festival 2005 in Trossingen, Germany. Since then he has worked as freelance musician, with studio sessions and teaching harmonica.

Filip loves to improvise and compose music and moves easily between jazz, blues, folk & world music, pop and classical music.

Filip Jers is also an acknowledged teacher of harmonica and has taught many lessons. He has been teaching harmonica at some prestigous schools like The Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, College of Music in Malmö and The Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark.