September 2, 2002
September 2, 2002
The following sites should be of interest to harmonica afficianados and players. Many (but not all) sites are blues-related, not unusual given the richness of the harmonica tradition in blues. Sites are listed in alphabetical order within categories for easy reference; don't assume that the good stuff is all up front!
Bassharp's Home Page , homepage for Bassharp (Danny Wilson), bass harmonica player for the New World Trio
Matthias Brode German jazz harmonica player, pianist, and composer, has a great new recording out with a strong jazz band, well worth a listen
Bruno Kowalczyk French Canadian harp player, strong work in a traditional folk-influenced style
Blues Traveler Home Page, lots of resources for Blues Traveler fans
Dave Gage Page Strong West Coast-based blues and jazz harmonica player
Garry and the MoodSwingers, CT-based blues band with something to say
Sandy German, chromatic player, CD release has nice ballads and an outstanding rhythm section
Carlos del Junco Homepage, lots of stuff from and about this great harmonica player
Charlie Musselwhite Home Page Maintained by Danny Wilson. Cool page.
Clint Hoover's Harmonica Site Outstanding jazz diatonic and chromatic harmonica player and composer. Check out our listing for Hoover's recording "Dream of the Serpent Dog" at this site (with samples)
Howard Levy Website for jazz diatonic harmonica monster Howard Levy, plenty of great information at this site, including samples, transcriptions of Howard's solos, etc. Levy is one of the most influential players of the last 20 years; this site is a good place to go for more information on him and his work.
Jon Gindick's Harmonica Instruction Catalog Lots of good stuff here for harmonica players at all levels
Mr. Harmonica Anthony Lau (Mr. Harmonica) is a
classical player who performs and teaches chromatic harmonica. Lau has been a member and soloist of the YMCA Harmonica Orchestra in Hong Kong since 1956.
New World Harmonica Trio Probably the best harmonica trio on the planet since the Stagg McMann Trio, i.e. in the last 40 years
Paul DeLay Band Innovative harmonica player, singer, bandleader and composer. One of the best and most original blues harmonica players on the scene today
Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson Top Nashville session pro, totally killer country harp player with a big, beautiful sound and great ideas
Little Walter Page at King Biscuit Time
Loaded Dice Blues Band Michigan-based acoustic and electric blues band
Mike Turk and "Turk's Works" Lots of info on the latest release by this outstanding jazz harmonica player
Norton Buffalo Home Page GREAT page with lots of graphics, soundfiles, info on Norton's work, etc.
Paul Butterfield Page at King Biscuit Time
Pete Pedersen, who died in 2002, was perhaps the greatest jazz harmonica player on planet Earth to date. If you've never heard of him, drop whatever you're doing and check this page out right now. If you know a little bit about Pete, check it out anyway
Jimmy Reed Page at King Biscuit Time
Rob Papparozzi's Home Page - New York-based harmonica session player and vocalist
Robert Bonfiglio - New York-based classical harmonica virtuoso. In terms of technical virtuosity alone, probably the most accomplished player in history
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Rod Piazza can do no wrong.
Rob Stone and the C-Notes Strong harp player and vocalist, traditional Chicago blues style. Worth a look and a listen.
Sonny Boy Williamson I Page at King Biscuit Time
Steve Guyger Page Philadelphia-based blues harp player, very strong
Magic Dave Therault innovative harmonica player from Colorado
Glenn Weiser's Harmonica Pages Harmonica site with free blues and celtic tab including Weiser's famous transcription of "Juke," blues and celtic harmonica discographies, links, and information about Weiser's harmonica books. Recommended.
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Bluesharp.org: The Harmonica Portal Features bands, harmonica news, and links to amp auctions, internet blues radio stations, a daily feed from Harp-L, and more. A solid site with lots of useful stuff. Recommended.
Blues in Russia A Russian-language site
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF FREE-REED INSTRUMENTS at the Graduate School & University Center of The City University of New York A new (as of 7/98) academic institution whose name tells the story. They began publishing regular reviews of free-reed recordings beginning in Fall 1999. Check it out.
The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. site dedicated to free-reed instruments such as accordian and -- you guessed it -- harmonica. Lots of useful info and links
Harp-L Harp-L is an Internet mail list whose subscribers include many of the world's best harmonica players in every style. The site provides access to a list of harmonica related current events and resources on the Internet. Also includes a Frequently Asked Questions list, plus online archives that contain answers to many beginners' questions. Answers to most other questions can usually be obtained by posting inquiries to Harp-L. SUBSCRIBE TO HARP-L!
Harmonica Organization of Texas (HOOT) Well done site aimed at Texas players, contributors include some of the best players in Texas
King Biscuit Time - terrific blues site with focus on blues harmonica. Lots of sound clips, pictures and blues and harp related links
The National Harmonica League UK-based organization with international membership. Support for all harmonica enthusiasts, plus an extensive directory of harmonica links and a diary of harmonica events
Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH)
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Angela Instruments Terrific site for amped players, offers lots of information on amp construction, including schematics, info on tube choices, etc. Great source for tubes and other parts too.
Harpin' On - Adam Pritchard's Blues Harmonica Home Page UK-based harmonica player and instructor. Site includes lessons, merchandise, plenty of info on a selection of excellent, mostly blues-oriented harmonica players, including samples. Well-laid out and informative, worth a visit.
Coast to Coast Music
Online store catering to harmonica players. Lots of useful info at this site, especially for beginners.
CBH Harmonica Page A page maintained by Danny Wilson that describes the legendary CBH chromatic harmonica.
Didjeridu Tutorial - Circular Breathing This page contains detailed instructions on circular breathing. It's aimed at didjeridu players (if you don't know what that is, go to the page and find out), and the material is thoroughly usable by any wind instrument player.
F & R Farrell Company Longstanding harmonica dealer, offers tools, lots of diatonics and chromatics (including deals on reed plates and combs for special setups).
Georg Pollestad Norwegian harmonica maker, has supplied instruments for some of the best chromatic players in the world
Guitar Amp Tone, Guitar Effects Placement, and Techniques for Tube Amps and Hybrid Guitar Amps A terrific site loaded with information about tube amps and their applications, including specific info on amps for harp. Recommended.
Harley's Harps and Harmonicas Dealer in old and unusual harmonicas
Harp Depot Net-based store for harmonicas, accessories, etc.
Harmonica Honker Microphone especially designed for harmonica players. Samples available at this site
Joe's Virtual Music Shop Net-based store for harmonicas, accessories, etc.
Kevin's Harps Extensive catalog of harmonicas, accessories, and recordings. Their selection of harmonica recordings is possibly the most comprehensive offered anyhere.
KCA NOS Tubes Topnotch site for information on tubes; many excellent and hard-to-find tubes for sale. Also offers links to lots of other useful sites for tube amp afficiandos
Lee Oskar Harmonicas Homepage for the man and the company. If ya ain't playin' these harps, what're ya playin'?
Mark Lavoie titanium harmonica combs for Hohner MS-series plates
Pat Missin UK-based harmonica player/designer/builder, creator of more than a few remarkable new tunings for diatonic harmonica
Pouring Rain Music: pages on Huang Harmonicas, Jon Gindick's Harmonica Instruction Catalog, artists and label promotion, publishing and distribution plus other blues and harp related links
Richard Sleigh - harmonica technician offering custom construction and repairs
Working Man's Harps: Harmonica customizer Tim Moyer is now (May 2001) back in business, which is good news for everybody. See Tim's article on microporing harps at this site.
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G. and L. Pasquinelli's Harmonica House Italian site with a global perspective on harmonica, English and Italian, well done and informative
Hugo Diaz en Buenos Aires Argentine harmonica player's site
Harp On! Chromatic Harmonica Reference Site by G. Lots of useful information for all players, emphasis on chromatic
The Harmonica Exchange Links to lots of players worldwide, plus directory of teachers. Cleanly laid out, easy to navigate, useful site.
Jack's Gospel Harmonica Page - informative site offering lots of harmonica-related info plus Christian philosophy
Javier Argomedo's Beginner's Page A page full of very useful information for beginners on a wide variety of topics: instruments, recordings, links, etc. Nicely done.
Michael Will/The Diatonic Harmonica Reference - an outstanding site full of dead-on harmonica info, including great links, instructional material, illustrations, etc. Also see Michael's cool photos from the 1997 SPAH convention.
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Mabel's Music Shop Solid catalog of hard-to-find world, jazz, and acoustic music
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Blues Access Online Blues Access magazine's online site. All the great stuff you see in their quarterly magazine can be found at this site. (You can even read their review of my CD The Act of Being Free in One Act if you want to. . .)
NY CD Blues Reviews of blues and R&B CDs. Great stuff
Planet Harmonica Terrific online harp 'zine in English and French. Gear reviews (for example, a comprehensive review of harp mics), player interviews, record reviews, etc. High quality stuff, recommended.
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