Results for "harmonica"

Chris DePino

Born: July 10, 1952

CHRIS DEPINO BIOGRAPHY Music has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. Growing up in an Italian family in New Haven, Connecticut, I was constantly surrounded by the velvet sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and, of course, every New Year by the legendary Guy Lombardo. Needless to say, the first instrument I got my hands on was what every Italian kid from an Italian neighborhood was supposed to play - the accordion. Not from a lack of trying, the accordion decided it was not for me. My musical "home" eventually became the harmonica - perfect for playing as I was "riding the rails" as a train conductor for Metro North in 1971, at the ripe old age of 19. For the next seven years, I played in various blues bands throughout Connecticut refining my instrument and trade

Wheelchair Willy and the Whiprounds

Paul Gillies is an extraordinary individual. He has walked up Mount Vesuvius (on crutches); jet power-boated in New Zealand; Bungee jumped 300 feet over the River Thames; and tandem free fall  parachuted from 10,000 feet. These physical feats would have taxed the average non-athletic person. But Paul has done this while experiencing a personal degenerative disease, one that has robbed him of his sight in one eye, and will eventually claim his life.

Paul Gillies has progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Rather than thinking of his MS in stages of deterioration,  he sees it more of being on a journey with obstacles around most corners

David Herzhaft

Born: 1974

David Herzhaft is a pioneer and new generation harmonica player, pushing the limits of the diatonic harmonica further and blending it into new styles. Using bends and overbends his standard tuned harmonica becomes a full chromatic He was first to play flight of the bumble bee on the diatonic in a video that collected 500k+ views. David also composes and produces his music. In Pacific Lounge he played and programmed all the instruments, mixed and produced the full album. He performed in many blues, bluegrass, country and jazz bands in Europe, Canada and the US. He played with Joe Porcaro, Donald Ray Johnson, Robbin di Maggio, Yussi, National Lyon Orchestra, Freeandise. Solo Albums : Des Mots d'harmo (Fremeaux et Associes) 2001 Jazzin' Around (Hland) 2007 feat Frank Gambale and Howard Levy Pacific Lounge (Pacific Waves) 2016 feat Carl Verheyen and Brent Mason Books : Encyclopedia of the scales (Harmonica School) Exercises for harmonica (Harmonica School) Harmonica Blues (Hl Music) Harmonica Country (Hl Music) Harmonica Celtic (Hl Music) Le Livre de L'harmonica (Fayard) Harmonica debutant (Hl Music) Celtic reels for harmonica (Mel Bay)

Yvonnick Prene

Born: January 19, 1984

Born in Paris, he began as a guitarist, later switching to the diatonic harmonica, and eventually settling on the chromatic harmonica as his primary instrument. He first began playing the harmonica professionally in Parisian clubs at 17, then started his studies at Sorbonne University, from which he received a master's degree in music (2011). While still enrolled at the Sorbonne, Prené relocated to New York City and was awarded multiple full-tuition scholarships at The City College of New York, (MICEFA, 2007), Columbia University (Alliance Program, 2008) and at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (Merit-Based Scholarship, 2009) where he had the opportunity to study with Lee Konitz and Reggie Workman among others. In 20011-2012 he earned a BA from The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music and Master degree from Sorbonne University.

Marty Howe

Born: August 18

Marty Howe has been playing chromatic harmonica and flute for the last 30 years. The chromatic harmonica is unique in that it is capable of playing the full chromatic scale, making it very suitable for jazz. Most people are familiar with the style of Stevie Wonder, who plays chromatic harmonica, but it was the playing of Toots Thielemans who woke the world up to the wonderful possibilities of the chromatic harmonica as a serious instrument in the jazz genre. Marty considers his harmonica and flute "as a brother and sister, my harmonica playing being more aggressive, almost imitating a blues harp, but with a broader chromatic palate, and my flute playing a little more on the refined side, although I play in a percussive assertive style inspired by Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull), Herbie Mann, and Rashann Roland Kirk." Brazilian music has always been a favorite style of music for Marty

Albert Maksimov

Born: March 26, 1963

About Me,My Life and Harmonica... Review by Dmitriy Savitskiy on Albert Maksimov`s CD "Not Only Jazz" What disease can the epidemiologist get infected with? In principle, he is not supposed to, at least with the diseases known to him. However, he can cheat and once and forever get sick with something incurable, for instance, with the passion for jazz. In this sense the former epidemiologist, Albert Maksimov, suffered total defeat! The diagnosis: jazz forever! The method of survival • playing the Harmonica. His grandmother was the student of Gustav Neuhaus, mother • piano instructor in the school of arts

Gregoire Maret

Born: May 13, 1975

Grammy winner, 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. That his chosen instrument - the harmonica - is a relative rarity in the genre is one element in his singular sound, but far from the whole explanation. After all, the extensive list of heavy- hitters who have enlisted him for their own projects is unparalleled: Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Cassandra Wilson, and Marcus Miller are some of his most prominent employers, none of whom have the patience to employ novelty for novelty's sake. ​ His guest appearances on recording sessions and concert stages expand that list to even more jaw-dropping proportions: Prince, Sting, Elton John, Jimmy Scott, Dianne Reeves, Toots Thielemans, Raul Midón, Richard Bona, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tito Puente, Kurt Elling, Mike Stern, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Charlie Hunter have all made use of Maret's unmatched palette of color. ​ Along the way, Maret has redefined the role of the harmonica, finding fresh pathways through a remarkable variety of styles

Julian Jackson

Julian Jackson was brought up in a musical family in Liverpool, so Julian's choice of a career in music was no surprise. Whilst studying at Music College in Liverpool, Julian reigned for 3 years as the Hohner British Harmonica Champion. Julian moved to London to become the only Harmonica player to ever study at both The Guildhall School Of Music & The Royal Academy of Music. His unique style & ability at both jazz & classical Harmonica has won him the recognition of many musicians & composers including jazz pianist Julian Josephs, and Jazz legend "Toots" Thielemans. Julian played in the touring quintet of Julian Josephs who commented "his playing has great soul and great melodic content and logic"

Frederic Yonnet

When it comes to the harmonica, French-born jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet knows how to turn skeptics into believers. Most people perceive the harmonica as a “side” instrument used in country and blues. However, Yonnet is one of a handful of musicians to successfully demonstrate the harmonica’s versatility as a lead instrument in contemporary jazz, as well as other genres of music. Self-described as an “old spirit”, you know after listening to one set that Yonnet has “been here before”. As one of the youngest professional mouth harp virtuosos, he began his harmonica career at age 19

Brad Gould

Available -, Jazz, Blues, Country, fusion. Session or stage.