[Harp-L] Jerry Portnoy

[Mick Zaklan]

   As of this morning, June 6th, there is a nice full page article on
esteemed blues harpist Jerry Pornoy in the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper.
Apparently Jerry has written a new memoir, "Dancing With Muddy: Muddy
Waters, Eric Clapton, and My Lucky Life in and out of the Blues(Chicago
Review Press). Knowing Jerry and his career, it should be a very
interesting read.
   The Chicago Blues Fest has opened and runs June 5-8 on the lakefront.
Our instrument is always well represented on the large and small stages.
One year I caught 8 harp players performing in a 3 hour span, including our
own dearly departed Buzz Kranz.
    One fine player featured prominently this year is Steve Bell, who
played Sonny Terry in the recent Bob Dylan bio movie, "A Complete
Unknown".  Steve actually sounds like his dad, Carey Bell, so the Sonny
playing was dubbed in by Ross Garren. Steve Bell will be playing the fest
with his own band and probably also with John Primer's group.

Mick Zaklan