’S MAGAZINE FOR THE ENTHUSIAST • SUMMER 2018

EVENT RECAP World Harmonica Festival 2017 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT TECH NOTES My Hohner Forum IN THE STUDIO Dennis Gruenling Our Album Picks CONTENTS Joe Filisko & Eric Noden, Destination Unknown Tech Notes 2 My Hohner Forum estination Unknown, the 5th album by DJoe Filisko & Eric Noden is now available. Super 64 Upgrades 2 Using only one stereo ribbon microphone the Improvements to the Super 64 and 64X project was recorded live, in the moment with In the Studio no overdubs during the spring of 2018. With 2 with Dennis Gruenling this release the roots duo continues to pay tribute to the often under appreciated legends Event Recap 3 of early blues and roots music including Sonny World Harmonica Festival 2017 Terry, Blind Boy Fuller, Gwen Foster and Mississippi John Hurt. Artist Spotlight 4 Howard Levy: Jazz Harmonica Virtuoso Steve Baker, Perfect Getaway All About HAC 12 teve’s first solo album Perfect Getaway Hohner Affiliated Customizer S(Timezone Records, TZ1473) was released on HOHNER Gives Back th 16 February 9 2018. It features 14 original songs Stories From Around The World and shows the harmonica ace in a new light as singer, bandleader and arranger.

Following a 40 year career as a highly regarded sideman, Steve Baker’s first solo album represents a major departure from his previous releases. On “Perfect Getaway” he successfully reinvents himself as a vocalist and songwriter with a captivating collection of self-penned songs, which also happen to feature some great harmonica. Supported by an excellent band with gospel and rock’n’roll to crunching rock. Kai Strauss (guitar), Gaz (bass, guitar & backing vocals), Alex Lex (drums & percussion) and Chris What they all have in common is Baker’s Rannenberg (piano), as well as Moritz Fuhrhop old school pop sensibility, which gives his (organ), Opportunity (choir) and Gina Baker compositions high recognition value. With great (backing vocals), Steve delivers an exciting grooves, catchy refrains and memorable hooks, and stylistically varied set of 14 original tunes they’re as melodic as his harp playing while also Visit ranging from singer/songwriter, blues, country, somehow sounding unmistakably English. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Groovin' in Graceland ildly fun, musically fearless and bursting Wwith bravado, 2018’s Blues Music Award- winning Band Of The Year Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have created one of the blues’ most instantly recognizable sounds and no- holds-barred styles. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats serve up sharp and incisive original blues and gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. With his wily and unforgettable original songs and hipster, street- Stay Connected! smart vocals, no one on the blues scene writes or sings like Rick Estrin. Their fourth Alligator album, facebook.com/HohnerMusic Groovin’ In Greaseland, features 13 original songs. From the true life wisdom of The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere (the 2018 BMA-winning Song Of instagram.com/HohnerMusic The Year) to the rambunctious Hot In Here to the humorous, semi-autobiographical Dissed Again secrets and share their stories. One listen makes youtube.com/HohnerMusic to the hard luck Living Hand To Mouth, the album it clear that this is one of the tightest and most delivers one winning performance after another. original groups in any genre, constantly inspiring The band’s dazzling performances bring the each other to new heights twitter.com/PlayHohner songs to life as richly detailed characters spill their

Easy Reeding | Summer 2018 1 In The Studio

with Dennis Gruenling

This year we have a new type of tech notes. the most influential artists on our roster as well In 2017 Hohner launched www.hohner.de, the as teachers and Hohner Affiliated Customizers. new global website. It’s sleek design is more intuitive than previous versions and has many New for 2018 is the My Hohner Forum. This new tools such as the product finder, which will growing community is the place to share and help guide you into the perfect instrument for learn about all things Hohner. Here you can your style. find general harmonica info, tabs and sheet music, showcase your collections new or old, The new artist page has more content and guidelines for techniques and maintenance & additional media. There you can find some of care info. Sign up today at my.hohner.de. Q&A with Margie Goldsmith. Excerpted and reprinted with permission from Harmonica Happenings, SPAH’s exclusive publication for members only.

ennis Gruenling, known for his huge Dsound and swinging, highly original harmonica style, is one of the world’s innovative harmonica blowers. He has single-handedly pioneered an entirely new harmonica sound and direction by combining the blues harp with swing/saxophone traditions and styles. His dynamic style draws inspiration not only from the great blues icons like but also from great jazz Super 64 Upgrades horn players like Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet. Gruenling has received international The original HOHNER Super 64 and Super chambers are optimized to ensure the fastest accolades by countless critics and musicians 64X have embodied the high end chromatic possible reed response. The Super 64X boasts including from Charlie Musselwhite who said, harmonica since they first came to market. Their double thickness reed plates over the entire “Dennis Gruenling’s tone and phrasing is as unique sound has been heard on countless range, offering a massive boost in volume, good as it gets,” and named Gruenling one of standards, Jazz, and R&B hits. Hohner is proud and the high end finish gives it a uniquely his favorite harmonica players. to announce that these iconic models have attractive appearance. received an update. Growing up in Piscataway, New Jersey and Both models set new standards in durability obsessed with music, Gruenling already had The breathtaking new design offers a and ease of maintenance. The reed plates his own radio show by the time he was in whole range of innovative new features and are mounted with screws, without contact to high school. He also played harmonica in unparalleled playing comfort. The exclusive the covers, reducing reed wear and making local blues bands and soon became a rising VarioSpring System, permits individual adjustment basic maintenance much simpler. The covers young star. In 1998, he formed his own “all- of slide spring tension, while the revolutionary are attached separately, and the nylon case star” band, Dennis Gruenling & Jump Time construction of the new SilentSlide is provided also serves as a mobile work bench. (including the great saxophonist Joel Frahm). exceptionally airtight and almost completely Gruenling has shared the stage with such silent in operation. In addition, the comb Super 64 Available Now Super 64X Available September 2018. continued on page 6 2 World Harmonica Festival 2017

light checked in. Seat chosen. I’ve got my The WHF is the largest international Carlos Del Junco, Willi Berger & Yasuo Fpassport and packed. Landing harmonica festival in the world and has Watani are only a few names on the in Stuttgart out on the tarmac, I paused to been inexorably linked to Hohner since it top-class list of performers to play the think of the quiet town that I was headed was first held in 1989. In addition to hosting Gala Concerts. Wandering the streets of towards. The provenance of this municipality is and sponsoring the event, the employees Trossingen visitors are treated to world class renowned by players of free reed instruments of HOHNER Musikinstrumente are part of performances in seemingly around every the world over. It serves as a Mecca, drawing the festival organization and offer their corner. Michael D’Eath, SPAH President and the believers to its hallowed soil and revered own service workshop and factory tours. 2017 WHF Judge had this to say “What an halls. The perfectly orchestrated events that Hohner Director of Sales and Marketing amazing gathering of harmonica players were about to unfold in Trossingen, Germany Christian Dehn commented “It is exciting to from around the world! In my view, The are known as the Olympics of the Harmonica. observe the exuberance of harmonica fans, World Harmonica Festival is a ‘must attend’ Thousands of players and fans from almost both young and old. Hohner is extremely for anyone with an interest in the Harmonica, every continent were descending on this town proud to be the top sponsor of this event.” in any of its variations. From competitions to witness something magical and the 2017 He continued “Nowhere else in the world to evening performances to late night jams, Fédération Internationale de l’Harmonica can you witness this level of harmonica the WHF kept me riveted – and Trossingen World Harmonica Festival (WHF) did not mastery. We welcome the world to our is a most interesting city to visit at any time” disappoint. home and want to personally thank the city of Trossingen and the German Harmonica In addition to the competitions, the 4000 Every four years this unique festival includes Association for their kind support.” expected visitors are offered a comprehensive a dazzling array of performances, playing supporting program with workshops, concerts technique and service workshops, late night The WHF showcased an international field of and late night sessions. “The 2017 WHF had open mic sessions, Hohner factory tours world-famous top players and young talents record participation in the competitions and during which visitors get an insight into again in 2017. Leading harmonica players festival visitors than previous WHF’s.” stated the production of the original harmonica Antonio Serrano, the Veloz Harmonica Quartet Gerhard Meuller President of The Fédération and competitions which identify the next and the Hong Kong Harmonica Orchestra, generation and recognize the masters of today. continued on page 11 3 HOWARD LEVY Jazz Harmonica Virtuoso

By Margie Goldsmith Reprinted with permission from Harmonica So, you basically invented overblowing? instruments that I play as well. Certain things Happenings, SPAH's exclusive publication I play that feel like a saxophone riff or like a for members only. I wouldn't say I invented it. There were people guitar lick. who did before, but nobody took it seriously. If peaking about Howard Levy, perhaps Joe you wanted to get all those other notes, you What kind of music do you like to play Filisko sums it up best: “Howard Levy is S played the chromatic harmonica, which was best? the man who can make the impossible seem designed to get those other notes. But you effortless." Levy, who has been called the most can't play blues on that instrument and you I like to say I play good music, so whatever style radical single technical innovator in the history can't really bend notes on it, either. it is, if it's good, I like to play it. I composed of the diatonic harmonica is also known as the a harmonica concerto around 2000, because world’s leading jazz harp virtuoso. A Chicago In 1970, when you were 19, you also an orchestra had approached me about playing Tribune reviewer attending a Levy concert discovered how to play the diatonic an existing concerto for the chromatic, and I noted, “Howard Levy unleashed more ideas in harmonica as a fully chromatic said I don't play the chromatic. Really, I know his opening solo than many musicians do in an instrument. That was the overblowing? how to play the chromatic but I don't love it. entire set.” I just don't think there's enough time for me Yes, playing the bends in tune, and the in this lifetime to get great on the chromatic This two-time Grammy-Award Winner, overblowing, and on the top of the harmonica, harmonica, and I wouldn't want to sound innovative composer, superb pianist, recording overdrawing, that's what I called it, because it mediocre on it. What's the point? So, I told artist, bandleader, teacher, producer, and was the same process, but in reverse; trying them I could write a concerto for the diatonic Chicago resident is equally at home in jazz, to bend the draw note down on the top that harmonica. I had no idea how to compose a classical music, rock, folk, latin, and world doesn't bend. concerto, but I did it and it came out really Music. He has been sought after by such artists good, I think. I've performed it around 40 times as , , and ————————————————— all over the world. more. Well known for his work with Bela Fleck “All of the harmonica companies and The Flecktones, Levy won a Grammy for When did you start teaching? “Life in Eleven,” which he wrote with Fleck. His have made certain models that “Concerto for Diatonic Harmonica and Orchestra” I thought were pretty good, but Around 1973 when I was 22. I've always shared is the first concerto for the diatonic harmonica Hohner, to me, and if you talk to what I know pretty openly with everybody; I using it as a fully chromatic instrument. just about anyone else who started don't have any secrets. off playing a Hohner, are Born in Brooklyn, NYC in 1951, Howard Levy the only ones that feel like real What do you teach? grew up listening to his parents’ classical music, harmonicas to me.“ opera and Broadway albums. He wanted to Whatever a student wants to learn. I put out two harmonica instructional videos: New Directions take piano lessons as early as the age of five, –Howard Levy but his parents made him wait till he was eight. for Harmonica on Homespun and Out of the ————————————————— By his third lesson, he was improvising and Box, Volume I, on my label, Balkan Samba. For playing his own very coherent music. For the that one, I wrote tunes in all 12 keys and played next four years, Levy attended the Manhattan It's a combination of those different techniques them all on a C harmonica. Then, I started my School of Music on weekends, studying classical that give you a full three-octave chromatic scale. online harmonica school through Artist Works. piano and theory and continued to improvise They have about 35 teachers of all different You moved back to New York for a year styles of music and all different instruments. on the piano. At 17, Levy heard and a half when you were 20? and decided he wanted to play the harmonica I'm the harmonica teacher. I teach at every level, from "Oh, Susanna" to really complicated because he could bend notes and it was I played on the street and started teaching jazz and classical pieces. The school is in its 6th* portable, unlike the piano. He plunked down myself other instruments, whose sounds I year right now; I'm very proud of it. some cast for the blues harp. “I walked around loved: saxophone, flute, guitar, mandolin, with a harmonica sounding terrible until one violin and percussion instruments. I think those What's the best piece of advice you day I bent a note, and that was sort of the first instruments have helped my harmonica playing. could give someone just learning how to day of the rest of my life,” he says. play the harmonica? How? At that time, Levy was also playing piano in Be patient. The harmonica doesn't give you the Northwestern University Jazz Band and I close my eyes when I'm playing harmonica much and you can't see what you're doing. It's composing jazz compositions. He joined a and know I'm visualizing the piano keyboard, very frustrating that it's the only instrument that blues band in Chicago and played piano and and that mental visualization of something very you can't use your eyes and you can't use your harmonica. He was frustrated he couldn't organized is what allowed me to start playing hands to help you find a note. Spend a lot of play all the notes on the harmonica but soon the harmonica the way that I do. time breathing through the instrument; don't discovered he could get some of those missing force it. Listen to a lot of blues harmonica players notes by bending the blow notes on the bottom Do you still close your eyes when and imitate, because learning how to play the of the harp. One day, a higher note popped out you're playing and visualize the piano harmonica is like learning how to talk. You don't of a hole that just so happened to be one of the keyboard? learn how to talk by reading a book on grammar. missing notes, and Levy called it overblowing. Yes, but I can also apply some of the thought You learn how to talk by imitating people around processes and mental images of the other you who were talking when you were a little kid.

*At the time of the original publication. continued on page 8 5 w/The Jewel Tones, and we do a mix of become part of how you think and play, but blues and related roots music, quite a bit of a musician should play to the song and in the Chicago-style blues, a good amount of jump moment for this kind of music. blues and swing, but also some rock & roll, swamp blues, rockabilly and 50’s R&B. In your opinion, what makes a good musician? with Dennis You play with such extraordinary feeling. How do you get that feeling? A good musician, regardless of musical style continued from page 2 or instrument, will have some understanding greats as Pinetop Perkins, Snooky Pryor, John The “feeling” is such a HUGE part of this music, of how to work with different rhythmic and Mayall, and Southside Johnny & the Asbury it’s tradition, and it’s appeal. Again, a big part melodic ideas, and will also know how to Jukes. In 2012, he released his fifth album with of it is listening to players that have that “X” use their ear. For playing blues in particular, touring/recording partner Doug Deming (who factor. I listen to players that move me and try to I think even more important than scales and also released a new disc featuring Gruenling). learn from them. I also worked at understanding technical chops is the “feel”, “groove” and Both albums are in the Top Ten of the Living the language of music and how to use notes to “expressiveness”. These are intangible things Blues Radio Charts. express myself. That’s a personal journey that, which a good blues musician should be able if taken, everyone needs to take in their own to make seem tangible to the listener. As a way. My vibrato was a technique developed soloist in this music, the space, the tone, and What put you on your musical path? from practice (like any other technique) as well the phrasing are so important. These are also as work on my breathing and tremolo. But the more of an art than a science. Whether they My dad listened to a lot of country and western notes and scales and vibrato and tremolo are actually get the blues or not may be debatable, -- back when country HAD some western all parts of a means-to-an-end for me...the end but robots don’t play the blues well. sound to it -- and I heard a lot of music just by being expressing myself and making music. being at home. What’s your favorite kind of blues? How do you do what you do? How do Why did you choose the harp? you master that technique? I have many, but 1940’s swing and bop influenced jump blues and post-war Chicago I was offered a harp for Christmas one year Practice, practice, practice. And practice the blues are probably my two favorites. from a family member, and thought “sure, why right stuff. I wasn’t afraid to learn from my not?” because I had heard some rock & roll mistakes - that’s why you make them in the first You tongue block everything. What musicians play harmonica once in a while. place anyway! So I would work on something, do you think is the difference in try to get it right, listen back, work on it some sound between tongue-blocking and Did you have a teacher or are you more, and keep dissecting it until I know I can lip-pursing? self-taught? get it down. Then after all of that, you can maybe start using it as part of how you make I don’t technically tongue-block “everything”, I tried to take lessons early on, but never really music. but more than 99% of what I play is tongue- had any real lessons. I am self-taught. blocked (sometimes on holes 1 or 10 I will Is scales practice important? Do you use my lips). The difference in “sound” is How did you learn? How much did you practice scales? tremendous! For one thing, the tone you can practice to get where you are today? get while tongue-blocking (correctly) will be Yes, scales are important, and I always hated fuller, rounder and warmer than lip-playing. It’s I learned many different ways, but listening practicing them! I do practice them, however I not debatable, it’s fact. Your embouchure and is the biggest part -- listening intently and am the kind of musician who bores of that since supporting air chamber is shaped and resonates focused. I started by trial and error, just trying it’s another thing that is a means-to-an-end. differently, and that effects your sound and to get a halfway decent sound out of the harp. I’ve seen a lot of things going on in the harp tone. The ONLY people that I know that “claim” Then I tried to get comfortable moving around world for the past 20 years and some are really this to not be true are people who haven’t with a clean sound and work on getting a exciting. But regardless of what instrument you worked at tongue-blocking, or haven’t been decent tone. I started collecting records play and the type of music you are playing, shown how to do it well. Even known lip-players and imitating everything I could. During an remember that scales aren’t music, they just have a fuller tone when tongue-blocking. This intermediate period of my development, I can help you play and understand music better is not to say you can’t get a good sound when practiced approximately 8-12 hours a day for if you know how to use them. lipping, but regardless of how good it may at least a year. I still practice, but that made sound, tongue-blocking will enhance it. On top a huge difference in my chops, my skills, my What is your approach to harmony? of that, there are many effects and textures thought process, everything. you can get on the harmonica while utilizing I tend to think harmonically like a swing horn tongue-blocking techniques that will enhance You play with a band. What kind of band? player most of the time. It also depends on the sound and depth of your playing. Players the style of song I am playing. I try to play who don’t learn tongue-blocking correctly (or I tour and record regularly with Doug Deming. to the song. Again, going back to my theory who don’t work at it) never fully understand The band is Doug Deming & Dennis Gruenling that everything you learn and practice should this. I started as a lip-player like most players,

6 continued on page 9 we are the society for the preservation & advancement of the harmonica

JOIN US! Your membership helps preserve and advance American musical culture. Member benefits include SPAH’s quarterly print magazine and discounts on events like the annual SPAH convention.

learn more at: www.spah.org is where you can do overblows and overdraws harmonicas are those. They are a Marine Band and play the instrument fully chromatically. re-plate, a special rock maple plywood comb, and Special 20 reed cover plates which I like I think everyone should learn how to adjust because they're closed on the end, and it gives the reeds on the harmonica, too. If you have a you a mellower sound. continued from page 5 problem with the harmonica, don't be afraid to open it up. Learn how to tune your reeds; don't Before I played Joe's harmonicas, for my jazzier Start on the diatonic harmonica with a lot be afraid of the instrument, because when they stuff and in general, I played Hohner Golden of humility. Listen to tons of blues; If you're used to cost $2 you could throw them out, but Melody, because those were actually the first already a good musician playing another now they're a lot more expensive. You don't diatonic harmonicas tuned to the tempered instrument, this is a huge help, because then want to have to send a harmonica to somebody scale rather than just in station or some you can figure out what notes you're actually to fix it if one reed goes out of tune. You don't compromised tuning. I’ll still occasionally use a playing. A lot of blues players don't know the want to throw it away. You want to learn how Hohner Special 20, or a Golden Melody. I really notes that they're playing and they just play to tune reeds; it's not that hard. like some of the Crossover and Thunderbird by feel, which works great if you're playing harmonicas that they're making. I helped simple blues because the Germans accidentally Now that 90% of harmonicas are put together product test those. designed the world's greatest blues instrument, with screws it's a lot easier, because you can which is hilarious, but absolute fact. take the reed plates off the comb and you can Have you ever had a period when you get to those blow reeds much more easily. In were uninspired and feeling as though If you want to get beyond just really simple the old days you couldn't really tune the blow you were playing the same riffs? blues, you have to learn what notes you're reeds very well. I mean, I still have trouble playing and become a musician the same tuning blow reeds that are in the harmonica. I Oh, sure. Everyone goes through that. The thing way as people who play guitar, or piano, or have to take the top reed plate off and tune is that I always have the piano, so the piano saxophone. You have to know the names of them the same way I do the draw reeds. But, feeds my harmonica playing. I do most of my the notes you're playing on those instruments. you can tune and adjust. composing at the piano so I always have kind Often diatonic harmonica players are not of a balance and a flow between those two looked at with the greatest amount of respect Do you do your own tuning? instruments. I play the two of them together by other instrumentalists because a lot of us on a lot of things, which started happening don't know what notes we're playing: we can't I do my own tuning and I also replace my when I joined the Flecktones in the late 80s, tell them what key we want to play a tune in. reeds. Replacing reeds is not anything I would early 90s. I recorded stuff where I played both recommend to people. It's very hard to instruments -- I had to figure out how to do it Don't force the instrument to do anything. do, because it involves tiny little parts, and I live. Some of it I recorded simultaneously in When people want to try to bend a note, they learned how to do it probably 30 years ago. It's the studio, too. When you have me in a band think that if they pull harder they're going to like being a Swiss watchmaker. There are a few like that, I'm almost like two people. get that note to bend, and that's not the case chromatic players who are watchmakers who at all. It's just the resonance and position of do a lot of repair work on their chromatics; but That has continued in several different groups. your tongue inside of your mouth. That's why there are a lot of websites that have information This group Trio Globo that I'm in, I do a lot of it helps to listen to really good players and on how to do this. Tuning a harmonica is really that as well, live, and on our CDs. Everyone imitate them. There are a lot of good books not that hard, but replacing reeds is. goes through periods of relative flourishing and and teaching available, so people now have then relative stagnation, but at this point in my a really big edge over the way it was when I What brand of harmonicas do you play? life my musical life is so rich that it doesn’t was growing up, where there was exactly one happen very often. I've always preferred Hohners. I've tried all of book, and most of the people who were really them all; the Lee Oskar when it first came out, good players did not want to waste their time I feel so fortunate to be able to be in the place and then I tried Huangs, Suzukis, Seydels and teaching some kid. where I am now. I get asked to do a lot of Herings. All of the harmonica companies have interesting things. I have a nice flow between How do you make intermediate players made certain models that I thought were pretty composing, teaching and performing. There's better? What's the best piece of advice good, but Hohner, to me, and if you talk to just this whole community of harmonica players all you can give them? about anyone else who started off playing a over the world who I'm in touch with through Hohner, Hohners are the only ones that feel like my harmonica school, and some of them come There are three divisions of levels at my school; real harmonicas to me. to visit me and take lessons. I really enjoy basic, intermediate and advanced. The way I having people come from all over the world About 20 or 25 years ago there was this kid separate it is, basic means that you don't know and giving them lessons at my house. how to bend a note and this level includes named Joe Filisko who came up to me at a gig everything you can do with a harmonica and introduced himself. He has turned out to How long did you stay with without bending a note. And, there's quite a be the Stradivarius of the diatonic harmonica and the Flecktones? bit you can do. Intermediate is where you can world. He is the first person to come along and bend notes, do all the standard blues licks and really make some improvements to the diatonic We did three albums, 1990-92, and then I much more. My advice for intermediate players harmonica, to really enhance the performance recorded on a few other things with them over -- which is basically people who can play blues of a diatonic. He started customizing the years. We did a reunion CD and tour in and bend notes – is, don't force things. Get a harmonicas for me around 1993, and by 1995, 2011, 2012. I won my second Grammy for co- good tone. Let the instrument sing. Advanced that was all I was playing. About 95% of my writing a tune on that. 8 continued on page 10 |

with Dennis

continued from page 6 but when I realized how much there is to gain from tongue-blocking, I immediately started working on it.

What's the best bit of advice you could give to someone learning to play the harmonica?

Listen as part of your practice time and remember that if you take the time to learn things correctly, THAT is the true short cut to becoming good on your instrument.

How do you make intermediate players Take a picture or a video of you better? What’s the best piece of advice playing in your original style with you can give them? your original HOHNER instrument and post it on Instagram. Use the Make specific goals for yourself, and focus on them, in addition to just playing and utilizing hashtag #playtheOriginal and tag your jamming skills. The better you get, the hohnermusic* for a chance to more work it takes to reach the next level.

And advanced players? What is the most important thing for them to learn?

Think longer term goals. That is, if you want to progress. And branch out of your comfort zone and maybe even search out new influences that 2 x 1000 € aren’t the obvious ones. win What brand of harps do you use? 18 x HOHNER Rocket Hohner. Tried just about everything out there, harmonica set and for me, nothing compares to a good (Rocket, Rocket amp, Rocket low) Hohner Marine Band style harp (I love the new Crossovers and Thunderbirds), and no other for the best photos and videos! chromatics I have tried have better tone.

What microphones do you usually use?

I collect, re-build and sell vintage bullet microphones, so only vintage microphones for Competition period me. There is a big difference, because they do not use parts that are anything like what they th th July 15 - Nov 30 2018. used to use in these microphones. In particular instagram.com/hohnermusic I like crystal microphones like the Astatic JT-30 For more information visit: and Shure 9822, but also like some vintage www.hohner.de/en/community/ continued on page 10 9 playyourOriginal *Mark your photo with hohnermusic or include @hohnermusic in the video description but the HarpKing is the most versatile and The vintage Shure magnetics are good all- harp-friendly amp I’ve ever played through, around mics to get used to if you want to start especially on stage. playing this type of harp without worrying about minor abuse to the microphone. What mic do you recommend for a with Dennis beginning player? What has music done for you? continued from page 9 That partially depends on what style they want Music makes me feel like myself. It saved my Shure bullets with magnetic elements for to play, and what amplifier they will use (if any). life. It made the great moments better, made certain things. If they are interested in blues, a basic vintage the tough times easier. Music helps me to Shure magnetic I think is a good choice. There make sense of this crazy world we live in and And amp? are many more nuances and depth of tone in a helps me keep the sanity that I have. Music has good crystal or ceramic microphone, but they helped me meet many great friends along the My main amp is a HarpKing. I have other are more fragile and it takes time to work on way, and I hope to continue doing so! vintage amps, mainly Fenders or Gibsons, harp technique as well as amplified technique.

You can be educated to certain extent, but willing to give your life to playing music. And you don't want to learn too much terminology of course, there's lots of different ways to be before you learn how to hear. Ear training is a professional musician: you can be a band really, really important. All of us are born with leader, a side man, an agent, a teacher -- it's different amounts of these abilities. a huge field. continued from page 8 I have friends who have perfect pitch and it One of the things I think really builds a musician You've been improvising since you were seems like they've always been able to hear is touring. You also have to play a lot, be willing a kid. Can you teach improvisation? anything and play anything, and then other to practice a lot, play live a lot, sit down a lot people have had to really, really, really work and work on things and compose if that's the You can teach the tools of improvisation, hard, and sound really great, but they had to path you're taking. But, I think that going on and you can also loosen people up to have work really hard to train their ears and apply the road, for somebody who wants to play well, them improvise, mostly through singing. that to playing. that's the supreme test. That's what makes Improvisation depends on a relationship with performers and differentiates the men from the the instrument, and also a relationship with What are the qualities that distinguish a boys: to go out on the road for a few months your ear and your body. professional musician from an amateur and have to play 5, 6, 7 nights a week in all player? these different places, with various different Can you explain that, the relationship surroundings and people. Paying an incredible between your ear and your body? You know that you're a musician if you try to amount of attention to you, not paying any do other things and you can't stand doing any attention to you, really crummy sound systems, If you can sing something, then you can play of them. ‘Gee, I love music, and I'm working great sound systems, terrible travel situations, it. If you can't sing something, you can't play in this office, and I play music in my spare awful hotels, beautiful hotels, whatever. it. But instruments all give you something, so if time;’ there's plenty of people like that. I joke you have some basic coordination you can plop around about this, but if you can't stand doing It's that level of commitment where you just your fingers down on a piano and hit a bunch anything else then you know you're a musician. commit your whole life to it no matter what, and of notes, and go, wow, what's that? That's no matter what the situation is, you're going improvising. Being a professional means that you can't back to always try to give your best performance, off from this love that you have for the music, whether it's for 4 people or 4,000 people. You have to be loose to improvise, I think. You that you have to devote yourself to it and be have to take a flying leap into the unknown.

10 continued from page 3 harmonica production in 1996. Its location collection of rare and culturally significant is within walking distance of the factory that harmonicas from all German makers. Interactive Internationale de l’Harmonica and Hohner’s Matthias Hohner started in 1881 which now exhibits line are interspersed throughout and Product Manager for Harmonicas. “The houses a hotel and the Harmonica Museum. museum tours are available *by appointment*. overall program with its competitions, The German Harmonica Museum also has a concerts, workshops, exhibitions, sessions During the WHF all visitors had the rare special exhibition of harmonicas owned by were incredibly successful. We received chance to take a tour through Hohner’s inner Sonny Terry & Jean Toots Thielemans. During very nice feedback from our guests from workings. Employees guided guests through WHF, the museum played host to several 38 nations who enjoyed their stay and who the production of every type of harmonica from special concerts including Frederico Linari promised to return in 2021 for the 9th step one to completion. From the ABS plastic from Argentina and the great Sirus Harmonica World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, the injection molding machines that produce Ensemble from Taiwan that played together “Mecca” of harmonica music. Special 20 combs and cases all through the with local heroine Susan Sauter. night, to the impressive stamping machines Competition Canape Jazz Sessions More than 700 participants from Traveling around Trossingen it is easy a plethora of countries competed to miss the Canape from the outside. in a variety of categories from Step indoors and you will be drawn solo performances to orchestral to it forever more. The Canape ensembles. The competition housed the unforgettable Jazz was serious, and emotions did Harmonica Sessions. These soulful run high as the preparation and performances featured players expectations of performance were of the utmost skill level of both apparent. Each contest is judged chromatic and diatonic harmonics. by a renowned jury of experts, “The Friday at the Canape belongs including previous WHF winners. to my personal highlights from the The level of preparation is apparent WHF 2017” commented Richard as the competition is solid. Points Weiss, Harmonica Product Manager are based on a number of criteria for Hohner. “The venue offered the including technique, accuracy, right atmosphere and was packed performance, artistic impression with an excited and appreciative and more. The international reputation of the that will take a spool of steel and punch out the audience that freaked out while the top- event is pronounced by the countries of origin form and engraving on each coverplate, these notch ensembles from Europe and Asia were of the artists, who travel from Japan, Singapore, machines are prime examples of what one performing.” Russia, Iran and Chile, among others, to would think about the manufacturing process. compete and exchange ideas. The most impressive and time-consuming part Late Night Blues Sessions Toots Thielemans Tribute of the construction lies with the hand tuning After the sun goes down the festivities do not of each instrument. Each harmonica reed is stop! The Kesselhaus is a strangely inviting This special concert commemorated the tuned by ear by a trained technician with an venue. Originally this building was the power wonderful musician, artist and composer average of 20 years’ experience. Many sound station for the entire Hohner factory and Jean “Toots” Thielemans, who passed away technicians sit in rows of work stations, play an still houses the powerful engine that drove on August 22nd 2016. Toots with his uniquely individual reed via an air apparatus and shave production in the main floor of the facility. sensitive sound has defined the role of the off reed material with files to match the note This engine could very well be a symbol to the chromatic harmonica in jazz like no other. played to the reference note that is required. rhythmic, gyrating power of the performances The most experienced technicians can tune only to come. This concert was both a tribute and a 200 harmonicas per day. Assembly and final celebration of this harmonica genius. It was testing round out the process. The progression A permanent fixture for the night was BB & the held at Martin Luther Church in the city center is incredibly fascinating and gives one a truly Blues Shacks laying down the backing groove by three leading chromatic players of the next new appreciation to the art and precision for those that were daring enough to share their generation, for whom Toots has always been a behind each instrument. originality. One by one players came on stage, vitally important influence. Adam Glasser, Jens called the key, snapped off a tempo to start Bunge and Antonio Serrano were all friends the groove and magic. The crowd was both with Toots, who worked with him and learned Harmonica Museum welcoming and encouraging. Steve Baker was from those experiences. Their tribute to the One would be remiss if they didn’t take time out the consummate Master of Ceremonies and master was both a touching and fitting farewell. from the festival to visit the German Harmonica Richard Weiss doubled as organizer and upright and Accordion Museum, whose new location bass player. Players from every background, Factory Tour is in the original Hohner factory, housing the age and style graced the stage and proceeded world's largest exhibition of harmonicas and to lay out their souls for all to see. HOHNER Musikinstrumente opened the doors accordions. Visitors are treated to a fantastic to its current factory in 1986 and started

continued on page 14 11 The HOHNER Affiliated Customizer (HAC) Program

Joe Filisko & Steve Baker, July 2018 vibrate optimally in their slots with minimum Marine Band harmonica, and it is certainly no loss of air. Since the reeds then function coincidence that a substantial majority of What is the HOHNER Affiliated Customizer much more efficiently, the harmonica will play harmonica customizers worldwide choose this (HAC) program? louder, sound brighter and the instrument model as the basis for their work, whether when building instruments for traditional The HAC program was established by HOHNER will respond much better than stock or semi- to bring together a dedicated group of elite custom harmonicas. This exacting work can players, or for state of the art contemporary professional harmonica customizers who only be done by accomplished players, as stylists. The Marine Band is the original, work exclusively on HOHNER instruments. the performance of every reed needs to be the benchmark against which all others are By enabling better access to all necessary assessed by playing it. judged. parts, as well as providing advertising and If their application is accepted for consideration, other relevant support, the company has Why would someone want a custom taken a bold step to ensure that these master harmonica? HAC candidates are required to submit samples craftsmen can keep HOHNER players and of their work to Joe Filisko for assessment. customers equipped with the finest and Players whose main focus is on clean single HOHNER may not influence his decision in any best playing harmonicas in the world. The note playing which goes outside of the diatonic way and his answer will be either "yes" or "no". program was initiated at HOHNER in Germany scale find custom harmonicas indispensable Only those applicants whose work satisfies his by Klaus Stetter, Michael Timler and Steve for playing jazz, swing, world music and other exacting standards will be granted certification Baker in 2011/2012, in close cooperation with modern styles requiring chromaticism through as a HOHNER AFFILIATED CUSTOMIZER and harmonica customizing pioneer Joe Filisko. overbends. Players focusing on blues, folk may use logo and certification in their advertising, and American roots music often don't find while undertaking to work exclusively on What does a harmonica customizer do? them quite as essential and see them more HOHNER instruments. Not more than one as a luxury. However, many beginning and person per year is approved for the HAC Harmonica customizing work falls into intermediate players who are developing basic program. All applicants for HAC status must two categories: Semi Customizing and Full playing skills, including note bending, are much offer full customizing on a professional basis. Customizing. These involve different working more satisfied with the results they obtain from procedures and achieve different ends. a custom harp due to its far greater ease of Who are the HOHNER Affiliated playing, which makes these techniques easier Customizers? A semi-custom harmonica is a stock to execute. harmonica where covers and comb have At the time of writing, the exclusive group of been modified and / or fully replaced. Semi- How do you become a HOHNER Affiliated top level customizers certified by Joe Filisko customizers may also offer tuning services and Customizer? encompasses only 6 members worldwide: basic reed setups. Some semi-customizing Thomas Hanke (D), Neil Graham (AUS), Joe can be performed by non-players and it does In order to provide a guarantee for the consumer Spiers (USA), Andrew Zajac (CAN), Joel not entail the extensive work on reeds and reed that anyone certified as a HAC is capable of a Andersson (SWE) and Richard Sleigh (USA). slots which is an essential part of full customizing. level of craftsmanship which fulfils the highest Interested players can contact them through possible expectations, it was necessary to their websites. A full-custom harmonica is a harmonica agree upon an unimpeachable and widely that has been completely reconstructed and accepted independent authority to bestow this Why HOHNER? adjusted for superior response and smoother revolutionary new seal of quality. To this end, The HOHNER brand and the company’s range feel in the mouth and hands, as well as longer HOHNER entered into a close cooperation with of renowned harmonicas have always been life, due to carefully rebuilt parts and a more harmonica customizing pioneer and master associated with the world’s greatest players and consistent and predictable tuning. The most player Joe Filisko. important attribute is the improved response, the world’s most famous harmonica recordings. which results in maximum sound for minimum The first person to commercially market Even to this day, it is not uncommon to hear someone speaking about the harmonica and air usage. This is achieved through exacting modern customizing services, Filisko is one just referring to it as a "HOHNER“. HOHNERs and tedious customization of each individual of the world's leading experts on blues and are simply the best and the HACs are now reed and reed slot, to enable the reeds to other traditional harmonica styles. He has long been a dedicated proponent of the HOHNER making them even better!

Joe Filisko

Revered as a master harp player, teacher, custom harmonica pioneer, researcher and historian, Joe Filisko is arguably the world’s foremost authority on many aspects of the diatonic harmonica and a key figure in today’s harmonica scene.

If you want to contact Joe or get more information visit filisko.com

12 Joel Ansersson

An skilled player at an early age, Joel Andersson from Sweden quickly began researching ways of making the harmonica play better. With expert guidance from Rick Epping, Dick Sjoeberg, and Brendan Power, Joel has built a reputation as a top quality customizer servicing clients around the world. He is the only customizer to offer original Sjoeberg Combs and also works on chromatic and orchestra harmonica models.

If you want to contact Joel or get more information visit: jaharmonicas.com

Neil Graham

Instruments by Australian customizer Neil Graham are the first choice of numerous top players “down under”. Many years of working to improve the performance of stock instruments led to him becoming only the second craftsman to be accredited as a HOHNER AFFILIATED CUSTOMIZER in 2013. As well as fine-tuning his custom harmonicas for optimum playability, he specializes in combs of African Blackwood (Mapingo).

If you want to contact Neil or get more information, vist: neilgraham.com.au

Thomas Hanke

An accomplished harmonicist himself, Thomas Hanke soon began customizing his instruments in order to adapt them to his playing style. The knowledge thus gained helped him become the first HOHNER AFFILIATED CUSTOMIZER to be accredited by Joe Filisko. Thomas Hanke customizes both diatonic and chromatic models and adapts them to meet the needs of the individual player.

If you want to contact Thomas or get more information visit: hankeharmonicas.com

Richard Sleigh

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Richard was introduced to the harmonica at an early age, hearing it on the street corners of his home town Philipsburg. Playing the Marine Band since age 8, Richard quickly started sketching ideas on how to improve the harmonica. His efforts led him to become a student of Joe Filisko, eventually starting his own full-time harmonica customization business in 1994.

If you want to contact Richard or get more information visit: rsleigh.com or hotrodharmonicas.com

Joe Spiers

A traditional player himself, Joe Spiers enjoys the heritage of the Marine Band and the music that's been made with it over time. Coming from the automotive field, he has the technical background to understand efficiency and dynamics within the harmonica, making him the go- to customizer for players employing the overblow style to achieve chromaticity on the diatonic harp.

If you want to contact Joe or get more information visit: spiersharmonicas.com

Andrew Zajac

Canadian customizer Andrew Zajac is renowned for designing innovative harmonica customization tools. He continues to refine his methods in search of ways to deepen the connection between the player and the instrument. His background as a respiratory therapist gives him a deep understanding of the science behind air flow, lung and vocal tract – vital knowledge when building extremely responsive instruments.

If you want to contact Andrew or get more information visit: harp.andrewzajac.ca

13 continued from page 11 Closing Ceremony I walk away from the festival with newly found vigor. The closing ceremony contained an abundance of emotion as the winners of the competitions were announced. While not detracting from the winners’ achievements, the overall feeling from this writer was something other than triumph and conquest. The competitions played a large part in the festival, but the relationships that were formed and cultivated outweighed the rivalries. The sharing of ideas, techniques and personal experiences were tantamount to what WHF represents. This global summit took the accepted divisions between nationalities and compounded affiliations of chromatic, orchestral or diatonic player and tore it all down to the bare roots. One could learn a lot from this little town of Trossingen, and not just what hole to blow in.

14 15 HOHNER Gives Back he story of HOHNER is written by the people who play our instruments. Throughout it’s history, the HOHNER company has strived to T make music accessible to everyone, especially those in need. Each and every one of us at HOHNER is proud to take part in this legacy of giving back and saying thank you. This year we are happy to continue that tradition by sharing the joy of making music with many more people around the world. Here are a few of their stories...

Lotsy Dotsy and Douglas LaMendola Director of Emergency Services

What do harmonicas and a children’s hospital have in SongwritingWith:Soldiers transforms lives by using collaborative common? These are both part of a child’s healing journey. songwriting to expand creativity, connections and strengths. For many years, we have known in healthcare that children SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats for veterans suffering from respiratory-type illnesses or recovering and their families from all conflicts. The first retreat was held from surgery need to exercise their lungs to improve organ in 2012 near Fort Hood, Texas with eight veterans. Since function. The question is, “how we can make it fun for kids then, dozens of retreats have been held across the U.S. with to actually engage in these types of exercises?” Lotsy Dotsy, hundreds of veterans and military families. Their songs have Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Resident Clown and former been recorded and shared, reaching and connecting more respiratory therapist, has always mixed the proven power of veterans and raising civilian awareness of the challenges the play with music and used harmonicas to help children engage military community faces. in respiratory exercises disguised as play.

David Berntson of Tulsa, Oklahoma partners with area non- profit groups to provide young people with Hohner Blues Band harmonicas for fun filled beginner harmonica instruction. Working with the Tulsa Blues Project and the Blues Society of Tulsa, David entertains and educates kids in a wide variety of settings, including schools, summer camps and evening programs. In June, David shared harmonica fun with kids from the Bridges Foundation summer camp for youth with special needs. Smiles and hugs were the theme of the day as participants learned to play the major scale and a train boogie-woogie.

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