Har monica happenings A quarterly publication of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica The Last Days of the DHT spah Brandon Bailey Interviewed & The Life of Bernie Bray Spring, 2011 Vol. 45 No. 2 SUZUKI HARMONICAS New. Unique. Different. Innovative. M-20 Suzuki 10 Hole Diatonic Billy Branch Grégoire Maret See the entire line of Suzuki Harmonicas at www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas The Name You Know Harmonica happenings In this issue: Vol. 45, No. 2, Spring 2011 SUZUKI HARMONICAS ©2007, The Society for the Preservation Cover photo: “Steve’s Harmonica” by Rhona McCann, and Advancement of the Harmonica. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhonaboatt/ All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from SPAH, New. Unique. Different. Innovative. Inc. Printed in U.S.A. Harmonica Happenings is published quarterly by SPAH, Inc., Contents: a nonprofit organization, incorporated in the State of Michigan on October 23, 1963. 6 THE DON HENRY TRIO — SPAH Correspondence should be sent to: The tale of the legendary harmonica trio concludes. SPAH, Inc. Part 3 of 3. P.O. Box 865 Troy, MI 48099-0865 M-20 Suzuki 10 Hole Diatonic 12 HARPBOXER— EDITOR & PUBLISHER JP Pagán An interview with Brandon Bailey. ASSOC. EDITOR Jaine Rodack COPY EDITOR Danny Wilson 15 BLUE STEEL— SPAH BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pete Kelly plays—and lives—the blues. Tom Stryker President L.J. Atkison Vice President Eugene Hansen Treasurer 16 HARMONICIST SUPREME— Elizabeth Atkison Secretary Manfred Wewers introduces us to Bernie Bray, the Roger Bale Membership Director namesake of SPAH’s Player of the Year Award JP Pagán Magazine Editor Billy Branch Bob Cohen Webmaster Warren Bachman Marketing Director 25 THE TOP 12 HARMONICA MASTERY SKILLS— Harmonicist and customizer Richard Sleigh on how and what Paul Metris Sergeant at Arms Norm Dobson International Liaison to practice. Danny Wilson SPAH Historian Paul Davies Advisor 26 CD Review COMMITTEES Cicada, the new album from two-harp band, Hazmat Modine. Harmonicas & Health Terry Rand Chairman Entertainment Winslow Yerxa Chairman SPAH Advisory Committee L.J. Atkison Chairman Convention Committee Elizabeth Atkison Chairwoman Harmonica Events SPAH FOUNDER For the latest information on these events, see the Earl Collins 1924 -1988 Events page on the SPAH website: www.spah.org SPAH MEMBERSHIPS Jon Gindicks’ Blues Harmonica Jam Camp All memberships are on a calendar year basis, beginning Jan. 1. Clarksdale, MI May 24-28 and Sept 27-Oct 1 Membership entitles each member Grégoire Maret www.bluesharmonicajamcamp.com to receive a full year’s issues of or call Jon at 310-457-8278 Harmonica Happenings plus discounts at SPAH’s annual conventions. Hill Country Harmonica: See the entire line of Suzuki Harmonicas at CHANGE OF ADDRESS A North Mississippi Blues Harp Homecoming To insure receiving your next copy, send Waterford, MI May 21-22 both your old and new address to: www.hillcountryharmonica.com Membership Director, SPAH, Inc. www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas or contact Adam Gussow at [email protected] P.O. Box 865, Troy, MI 48099-0865 SPAH 2011 SPAH’S WEBSITE Virginia Beach, VA Aug 9-13 www.spah.org www.spah.org HARP-L INFORMATION or contact Elizabeth Atkison at [email protected] www.harp-l.org The Name You Know 2010 - 2011 Corporate Sponsors The SPAH Corporate Sponsorship Program benefits SPAH, its members and the sponsors. The sponsors listed below have demonstrated their dedication to the preservation and advancement of the harmonica by actively participating in SPAH conventions and other activities and by financially supporting the organization. They deserve the thanks, recognition and support of SPAH members. Hohner, Inc. Andy Garrigue, Harmonica Marketing Manager 804-591-3741 www.hohnerusa.com Suzuki Musical Instruments Daron Stinton Harmonica/school Division Manager (800) 854-1594 www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas Rupert Oysler (828) 262-1088 www.seydel1847.com President’s Letter State of the harmonica ow is the harmonica do- SPAH is moving steadily towards ing these days,” I am of- a great convention in Virginia ten asked. Well, 2011 is Beach. The registration packet is in shaping up to be a great the envelope along with this issue, “Hyear for the harmonica world with or you can register online at www. only a few bumps in the road. Har- spah.org which also has directions monicas & Health continues to for making room reservations. This gain attention around the world year, the talent is extraordinary and with good people like Terry Rand, you won’t want to miss it. Dr. Victor Yun and others spread- Many of you know there is a ing the word through seminars and change in then way SPAH award other meetings. recipients are selected. Please pay At a Mother’s Day concert in Los close attention to the directions Gatos, California, the California you receive regarding them. There Pops Orchestra featured Jia-Yi He are also procedures for nominating and I for two thirds of the program. a new president and vice president Maestro Kim Venaas also showed for 2013. SPAH needs good peo- his support by playing chromatic ple to continue our forward prog- himself in an arrangement of “The ress Please encourage qualified can- Harmonica Player” which was ar- didates to run. We need your help ranged especially for us by Mae- finding these special people. stro David Bugli, conductor of the Have a great time playing har- Carson City Symphony Orchestra. monica now that the weather is get- Supporting the concert were Hoh- ting comfortable and enjoy this is- ner and Suzuki donating hundreds sue of Harmonica Happenings. of beginning harmonica packages to be given free of charge to all Submit your own content children attending the concert. An to Harmonica Happenings! extra special gift was a Little Lady Articles, photos, ads, etc. must be submitted to Harmonica Happenings by the dates listed below harmonica for the mothers. How for inclusion in the specified issue about that for support? Spring issue - March 15 Sadly, the Buckeye Festival was Summer issue - June 15 cancelled because of insufficient reg- Fall issue - September 15 Winter issue - December 15 istrations. Our hats are off for the Submit items to: hard work Danny G. and his crew put into this important event. We JP Pagán hope it will be different next year. Phone: 347-564-3073 Email: [email protected] Spring 2011 3 What is SPAH? SPAH is an organization whose objective is to preserve and respect the colorful past of the harmonica, while advancing its acceptance, in all its many forms, as a bona fide musical instrument. Among the mem- bership are individuals and entire families, accomplished musicians as well as beginners, and people of all ages. Many members have played or do play the harmonica professionally. Their music styles, ranging through Country, Blues, Popular, and Classical, can be enjoyed via recordings or live performances. The many benefits of SPAH will be available to you as a member. You are welcome to join SPAH regardless of playing ability or style. SPAH also welcomes members who just like to listen to harmonica music. You will be joining people from around the world to preserve and advance the harmonica. For more information on SPAH visit our website at www.spah.org. Join SPAH - The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica What SPAH does: * Sponsors an annual International Harmonica Convention featuring classes, entertainment by professional harmonica players, and camaraderie. * Distributes information on harmonicas and harmonica playing * Recognizes and honors those who preserve and advance the harmonica * Encourages the formation of local harmonica clubs * Supports groups organizing harmonica conventions * Maintains a website at www.spah.org * Sponsors an online harmonica discussion group and an online harmonica club news service Member benefits: * Subscription to Harmonica Happenings, our quarterly magazine with harmonica news from around the world including seminar and convention listings, articles on playing techniques, repairs, harmonica clubs and famous harmonica players and groups, and information on recently released recordings and harmonica products. * Discounts on SPAH’s annual International Harmonica Convention NEW MEMBER SPAH APPLICATION NAME ______________________________________________________________________ BIRTH DATE ___________________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________________ PHONE (______)_________________________ CITY ___________________________ STATE____________ ZIP ______________ E-MAIL _______________________________ COUNTRY (if other than USA) _____________________________ CLUB NAME ________________________________________________ CITY _________________________________ ST _____ I Play These Harmonicas: Other Harmonica-Related Activities: Diatonic Chromatic Chord Compose Arrange Bass Other: ______________ Teach Collect Harmonicas Enclose $45 for individual membership or $60 for Family. U.S. funds only, made payable to SPAH, Inc. Mail to: Membership Director, SPAH, Inc., P.O. Box 865, Troy, MI 48099-0865 If you prefer, you can fill out the membership form and pay your membership fee using a credit card by logging onto the SPAH website: www.spah.org. 4 Harmonica Happenings Editor’s Letter SPrUnG pring has. Of course here in we review the new Hazmat Modine Michigan, in the middle of album, Cicada. Here’s a tip: fire up May, it’s still close to freez- your iTunes and just buy it already. ing. But we’ve had some By the way, Brandon Bailey, Swarm days and we know Spring is Richard Sleigh and Charles Spranklin here and Summer is coming. You will all be at SPAH this year. Come know what that means. down to Virginia Beach and hang SPAH 2011 is going to be a great out with us. You’ll be glad you did. convention, so fill out the packet we And you know what... if you just sent along with this issue and come can’t make it, drop us a line. Tell us be a part of it. why, and tell us what you’d like to Speaking of..