Last time I was up until 3AM or later on 3 consecutive nights.... was in college, or maybe never. Why did I stay up so late? Because SPAH is so freakin' fun you simply cannot put it into words. Jazz jams, old school jams, bluegrass jam, and blues jam start around 11PM, after the formal concerts by people like Andy Just, Steve Baker, Brendan Power, Rob Paparozzi, and ...... Howard Levy - who performed on the last night to the utter amazement of some 400 harmonica players who actually know something about how utterly impossible it is to do what he does - yet he does it without breaking a sweat.
So the concert lets out and you find your way to a circle that, in the early part of the jam may have as many as 30 people. And every one is going to play 12 or 24 bars to the same groove, which the guitar players (should be nominated for sainthood) keep steady for everyone. In ANY other situation, you'd hear 3 or 4 good solos, 3 or 4 competent ones and a bunch of beginners. Nothing wrong with that. But at SPAH, every solo is different, creative, and beautifully played both technically and musically. There are pros in the circle like Baker, Joe Filisko, Dennis Gruenling, Dave Barrett... gifted up and comers like Jay Gaunt, Alex Paclin, Brandon Bailey... harmonica wizards like Chris Michalek, Todd Green and Michael Rubin, and then there are guys like you and me that you probably never heard of before, for whom harp may NOT be a full-time occupation - and they're all GOOD! Your jaw drops. There is certainly nowhere else on earth where the average level of talent is this high, ever.
It IS a little intimidating to have Howard Levy towering over your right shoulder when you solo - but everyone is supportive and respectful and it is just the coolest thing on earth.
Sooner or later someone brings some beers, or a bottle of scotch and a bunch of cups, ... the jokes are almost as good as the harmonica playing. Around 1:30AM the jam begin to break up and smaller groups begin to form. These end up all over the hotel in lobby areas on couches - and become more intimate. There, for example, I played with the wonderful Ronnie Shellist, Will Scarlett (a delightful character who played harp with the band Hot Tuna way back in the 60's and was doing overblows THEN) and a few others, accompanied by a player who just decided to support us by playing his mandolin instead of blowing harp.... until 3 on Friday night.
And that's just the night time. I was at my table all day every day sellin' stuff - so I didn't even get to participate in the wonderful and huge variety of seminars and jamming activities during the day.
You shoulda been there. If you weren't, next year it will be in Virginia Beach. Start saving now. You won't regret it. SPAH never fails to deliver a religious experience.
Thanks for the report Greg. Sounds as wonderful as last year was for me. - too bad it's not in Sacto every year. I'm starting to plan and calendar it in for next year. ----------
Wait a minute...There was a Todd Green at SPAH? I can't find anything on him. Google searches fot 'Todd Green harmonica' bring up...me. I'd like to know more about this guy, since we kinda share a name(he spells his funny).
How did your sales go, Greg?
Hopefully our club will continue its growth rate, and we can possibly bring SPAH to New Orleans one day. That would be incredible. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Greg summed up the jams quite nicely. I fought the urge to just be a fly on the wall and participated. I've seen videos of the SPAH blues jam and it's harder than it looks. It's pretty amazing that 15-20 players all have a different take on the same groove. Joe Filisko's show,despite not breaking any new ground musically,was damn impressive.It was like getting a history lesson of pre-war harp styles.And Joe has them all down. His Sonny Terry is amazing. And lastly let's not forget Das Boota (Thanks,Buzadero,I couldn't let that one die.) At Tues. Blow out,instead of showcasing himself,he played 1-maybe 2 songs and then brought the young Turks up,one by one. Jay,Brandon,Alex and Bart. It was very cool. Oh. And I'm convinced Howard Levy is not from this planet.
SPAH was freaking amazing. When I recover I'll post more ;-) . Baring a couple of IFs I currently plan on attending SPAH 2011 in Virgina. It was just way too much fun & a way awesome experience!
----------
~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Yeah, it was definitely great to meet you too Todd! I so much enjoyed listening to your playing when I had the chance!
It really was a pleasure to have met all the MBH guys I seen there :) .
"
"PS: I will be in Virginia Beach next year."
yeah!!! That clinches my decision to go. See you there!
"
Wow, I was already sold on going now I'm going to be even more impatient :) . I also heard that Christelle may be there. Though it's a year away who knows how things will go.
----------
~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Greg, I wish I coulda been there to personally thank you for the mic and bulletizer that you made me and to soak up the post concert atmosphere. I live close by and was blown away by the Blowout Tuesday and the concert Wednesday, but had to go outta town for work so I couldn't particpate in the real sessions. Will catch up with you another time though.
Seriously... Holy Crap! I think if I saw that in person I wouldn't be able to play for a month. That is simply amazing (no pun intended). It seriously makes you completely elated to hear such a beautiful piece and then come crashing back to the muck when you put your lips to the instrument... Again - Holy crap!
