[Harp-L] The SPAH Line-Up for this Year



In case anyone was wondering what the complete line-up is for this years
convention. Here you go! Nothing is carved 100% in stone but this should be
a solid 98%. There is always room for some additional surprises/changes.
Soon this list will be posted on the website. Many thanks to Winslow Yerxa,
Paul Davies & Tom Stryker for pulling everything together. Not an easy task.



Christelle Berthon – Christelle is a YouTube sensation from France who has
taken the Internet by storm with her "harp queen" videos replete with
sensitive musical interpretations and seamless integration of overblows. She
comes to us fresh from her Paris concert appearance with singer Melody
Gardot. (Christelle appears at SPAH with the gracious assistance of Greg
Heumann of BlowsMeAway Productions, and of C. A. Seydel Söhne harmonicas.)

James Conway – James grew up in the Irish musical culture of Chicago, and
combines his Irish roots with French Canadian and even some fingerpicking
ragtime and blues. A  quadruple threat on harmonica, bodhran, guitar, and
pennywhistle, James will regale us with Celtic songs and driving dance
music, backed by a sensational duo of Irish guitar and fiddle.

Paul Davies – Paul is a master of old timey rhythm – played on two
harmonicas almost simultaneously. However, you may never notice, because
Paul will have  your toes tapping and your face grinning almost from the
moment he starts playing.



Koei Tanaka – highly regarded for his playing on both diatonic and chromatic
harmonicas, Mr. Tanaka is perhaps Japan’s best known instructional author
for harmonica, and also travels internationally to advance the harmonica.
(Mr. Tanaka appears by special arrangement with Suzuki Musical Instruments.)

Bud Boblink – Bud is a master entertainer, and a champion on all harps. Bud
is often heard supporting other harmonica players. This year we get the rare
treat of hearing Bud as a featured performer in his own right.

Anneliese "Sissi" Jones –  SPAH is proud to present the classical harmonica
artistry of Sissi Jones, recipient of the 2008 SPAH Lifetime Achievement
Award. For many years Sissi has exemplified skill and grace at Hohner USA in
repairing harmonicas for grateful artists. Now she gets to show us her own
musical artistry.


Jon Eriksen – Jon doesn’t talk much about winning the World Harmonica
Championship years ago. Instead he focuses on delivering infectious jazz
grooves on harmonica (when he isn’t playing vibraphone).

Harp Beats – It’s no accident that the Harp Beats deliver some of the best
harmonica music heard anywhere. This all-star trio unites three players at
the top of their respective games - Phil Caltabellotta on chromatic, Wally
Peterman on chord harmonica, and George Miklas on bass. Together, they’re
the hottest harmonica trio in the USA!

PJ Perry – Based in San Francisco, PJ is a master of deep, gravelly vocals
and soulful blues harp delivered with rhythmic vigor and a generous dose of
wry humor. Formerly known as Big Bones, PJ grew up around such legends as BB
King and John Lee Hooker, and has updated their approaches with a touch all
his own.

Steve Baker – Steve is an international messenger for all that is harmonica.
An Englishman living in Germany, Steve is a veteran of the post-Beatles
Hamburg music scene known for his vigorous blues-based playing. He’s also
the author of *The Harp Handbook* and is a consultant to Hohner Germany.


Mark Hummel – Mark is a California-blues legend whose roots reach back to
the Sixth Street scene in Oakland. His highly successful touring Blues
Harmonica Blowout has presented the cream of modern blues harmonica to
audiences nationwide. Mark will anchor the SPAH blues night, backed by his
band, the Blues Survivors.


Jimi Lee – Jimi is like a Texas twister, delivering a tour de force that
swirls together his high-energy guitar, rack harp, and singing. In addition
to doing his own show and backing Christelle, Jimi takes delight in hosting
hallway jams that encourage all participants to explore and develop their
own musical expression.

Harmonica Express – Their SPAH performance marks a rare reunion of what many
regard as the most progressive harmonica quartet of the last twenty years.

Bruce Kurnow – A Northern California artist, Bruce plays stringer harp and
harmonica simultaneously for a beautiful pairing (though he’s also known to
have killer blues chops).

Jia-Yi He – Master of the classical harmonica, He teaches at the prestigious
Turtle Bay Music, which has previously been associated with such classical
harmonica luminaries as Cham-Ber Huang and Robert Bonfiglio.

Tommy Morgan – In Hollywood, Tommy is high on the A-list of professional
musicians. His astounding list of hit record credits ranges from the
Carpenters and the Beach Boys to Quincy Jones, while his television
soundtracks and onscreen appearances range from *The Twilight Zone* and *The
Rockford Files* to *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*.



Joe Filisko – Legendary as a harmonica builder, teacher, and performer in
fascinating historical styles, Joe hosts the daily teach-in, and teach-in
instructors will display the wide variety of their performing talents on
Wednesday evening.



Buzz Krantz - Master of ceremonies for the nightly blues jam and other
select events, Buzz brings his tough-yet-kind "biker Santa Claus" persona
and outrageous sense of humor to the proceedings.



Charlie Musselwhite – a California blues legend, Charlie will be hanging out
at SPAH and dispensing his understated, finely honed humor and wealth of
first-hand observations from a life with the blues – much of it in the
presence of earlier legends such as Little Walter, Walter Horton, and Muddy
Waters.



Randy Singer – A busy Florida performer, Randy will host the jazz jam with
backing jazz trio in the lounge late in the week, and earlier in the week in
the hallway with recorded tracks.



The 80-Plus Gang – Who says old folks can’t have fun? This concert segment
will feature harmonica greats who are all at least eighty year old and still
going strong!




-- 
Warren "Bee" Bachman
SPAH Publicity Director
631-981-1241 / 631-521-0472
www.spah.org



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