[Harp-L] The Greatest?

["Mick Zaklan" <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>]

   I was lucky enough to catch Larry Adler back in the 80's at the now
defunct Tango Restaurant in Chicago.  He worked there twice for extended
engagements.  The first time through he brought maybe the greatest piano
accompanist ever, Ellis Larkins.  That was the best duo I ever saw, in any
genre of music.  It was like listening to a great singer go through the
American songbook.  In fact, very few singers could have equaled what Larry
was doing tone and phrasing-wise night after night in that little room.
   As far as Larry Adler being forgotten about; I'm sure that being
blacklisted during the McCarthy era here in the States didn't help.  And
Larry's cockiness was legendary and probably didn't sit well with a lot of
people.  A wonderful player, though, and the guy who put the harmonica on
the map.  He was as important to our instrument as Segovia was to the
guitar, as Coleman Hawkins was to the saxophone, and as Bill Monroe was to
bluegrass music.

Mick Zaklan