I was in Claremont for my son's graduation from Pomona College and was strolling through a little upscale mall courtyard when I noticed a nice looking harp rig set up. The band was on break , but with that well worn Sonny Jr amp, bullet mic and a harp case full of chromatics, I had to stick around to see who was blowin what. It was Bill Barrett wtih the Claremont Voodoo Society - a band he plays with when he's not in NYC with Hazmat Modine. I had never heard Bill before and wow - the sweetest bluesiest funkiest chromatic playing I've heard. Kevin Marin also sat in on diatonic and was very good too. Both really friendly guys - it was a pleasure meeting them.
I hadn't realized Randy Weinstein had been replaced by Bill, - I will have to pick up the new CD with him on it.
one of Bill's solos that day
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Last Edited by on May 21, 2011 12:48 AM
Hey bonedog, you live in this area? I shoot darts every sunday afternoon in Pomona at Characters. Except this sunday we shoot at the Blackwatch off Central that is either clairemont or montclair area. And I drive by on the 10 west every friday to shoot in west covina at Clancys off azusa ave. Small world.
Actually I live up in SF. I come down to the Pasadena area a bunch to hang and jam with buddies in Eagle Rock and Alta Dena. I enjoyed Claremont when I visited - but now that my son's graduated it may be a while before I'm back. Kevin Marin mentioned a good jam at 'the Press' -sunday nights I think he said, - you might want to check it out if you haven't. ----------
Bill has a new CD out, with dual harmonica performances featuring several well known harmonicist, including the late Chris Michalek and Randy Weinstein. It is very cool! Called American Music for Gypsy Souls . . . http://www.americanmusicforgypsysouls.com/ And Bill is currently in New York, preparing to go to Europe to perform a bunch of dates with Hazmat. http://www.hazmatmodine.com/tour-spring11.html Looks like this Friday is their first date, in Germany . . .
Last Edited by on May 23, 2011 4:41 PM
