Mrs. Daddy, Aka Linda Lake Lamberson (wife of Albert "Big Daddy" Lamberson), often documents harmonica events in video.
This year's SPAH convention was a blast, as always. The harmonica band crowd is thinning with age, and we're now taking efforts to preserve it, quite a turnaround from when that crowd dominated and tried to exclude all else.
A few highlights:
This year we were finally able to honor Jason Ricci with the Bernie Bray Harmonica Player of the Year award, though we had to present it on Wednesday instead of at the Saturday nught banquet, as Jason had to leave for gig commitments and couldn't stay the whole week.
This year we were finally able to present Hendrik Meurkens after an absence of over 20 years. He's one of the world's finest jazz harmonica players, and his playing has become mellower and more lyrical over the years; it was a real treat to hear him.
Koei Tanaka presented a similarly virtuosic and lyrical show on Saturday.
Youth scholarship recipients, whose presence was funded by donations to the William Rosebush Youth Scholarship fund, were up to six this year from four in previous years, and included three international recipients, from the UK, Australia, and India. A special highlight was Ashay Kumar, from Lucknow, India, showed amazing chops and expressivity playing Hindustani classical music on chromatic.
The harmonica big band tradition was beautifully represented by the eight-piece ensemble led by Tom Stryker, playing sophisticated arrangements penned by the likes of Stan Harper, Pete Pedersen, and Dave Doucette (I played 5th chromatic in this performance).
Manufacturers in the vendor room included not only the "big three" of Hohner, Seydel, and Suzuki, but also Chinese manufacturers EastTop, which is producing a full range of solid quality instruments at low cost, and Golden Bird, which has improved its offering considerable over the past year, and will continue to make significant strides. Both companies are also stepping up as sponsors.
There's much more to tell but I'm still groggy from a week of stimulation compounded by sleep deprivation and must pack and get on a plane back to the soothing fog of San Francisco (as celebrated in the video posted below, which I made on my return from the Denver SPAH in 2015).
I had an absolute blast. I met one guy we haven't discussed here: Mikael Fell from Sweden. He won the Hohner World Championship 3 years ago. Check him out on YouTube. He's a monster!
Tony Eyers was also there, and played blues on stage. On at least 2 occasions he used a pedal to recreate the sound of the Tony Eyers Trio live on the lobby stage at SPAH, despite his two band mates being unable to attend. He is a great player and also jammed in hallways with other players familiar with his repertoire. Tony came a long way, as did a number of other international attendees.
I had a great time! ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Aug 21, 2017 6:35 PM
After a 12 year break, I had a grand time (thanks for the nice words Doug!). I'll aim to bring the trio next time, so I can leave the loop pedal in the bag.
Key features for me were meeting the remarkable Todd Parrott, who sounds as good in real life as on his videos. And of course Mike Caldwell, who is more fun than the rest of us combined.
Meeting and working with the Seydel team, and sharing a table with PT Gazell.
Playing with David Naiditch. At last. Late night bluegrass jams with Cara Cooke and the great Richard Sleigh. What a sweet player he is.
The blues jam in the lobby on the last night, where Joe Filisko called on me twice (surely once was more than enough).
Being invited on to the main stage by Paul Davies for an up tempo version of "over the Waterfall". Also sneaking on to the main stage on the first night to sing "Born in Chicago" with "that" band.
Finally meeting and playing with Gary Lehmann. Spending precious time with Adam Gussow, Jason Ricci, Hendrick Meurkens.
Baroque jams with Mike Runyan, SPAH vice president (I played recorder).
Spending money at the Blowsmeaway and Lone Wolf tables.
Meeting the Hohner tech, and learning much about accordions, well worth the price of a beer.
Enjoying the marked improvement in American beer.
Visiting the Woodie Guthrie museum on the final morning.
Last, but not least, returning to my dear family in Australia.
Hopefully I can make it an annual event.
---------- Tony Eyers Australia www.HarmonicaAcademy.com everyone plays...
Last Edited by Harmonicatunes on Aug 26, 2017 3:44 PM
