Harmonica PLAYERS: Chromatic Harmonica, Jazz Harp, Classical Harmonica

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[Chromatic Harmonica]

Listed below are many of the world's finest chromatic harmonica players. We have also included bass and chord harmonica players on this page.

Jean "Toots" Thielemans: "Belgium born (Brussels 1922), Toots is one of those first names that requires no second- like Dizzy, Chet and Django! Influenced by his first idol Django Reinhardt and later Charly Parker, Toots plays the chromatic harmonica in such a way that Quincy Jones said: 'Toots is one of the greatest musicians of our time. On his instrument he ranks with the best that jazz has ever produced. He goes for the heart and makes you cry. We have worked together more times than I can count and he always keeps me coming back for more..."
Stevie Wonder: From little Stevie to big star: Stevie Wonder wrote, performed, and played harmonica on some of the most memorable Motown songs ever.
Larry Adler: "American harmonica player; born in Baltimore. He played with the world's major symphony orchestras and is generally credited with elevating the harmonica to concert status in the classical music world." You can also check out "A Living Legend: Interview With Larry Adler" from The Free-Reed Journal.
Jerry Adler: "Jerry Adler was once known as the world's youngest virtuoso of the mouth organ. In his 66 years in show business he met famous composers, Hollywood stars and Singers who loved Jerry Adler for his extraordinary musical talent is his charming personality. He was the first call when Hollywood needed a harmonica soundtrack or somebody to show the movie stars how to handle a harmonica for certain movies. Jerry just finished his Book "Living from Hand to Mouth" that's loaded with entertainment and thrill."
Cham-ber Huang: Cham-Ber Huang, founder and designer of Huang harmonicas, has been characterized as both the Stradivarius and the Paganini of his instrument. You can read about his career and artistry and order his new CD as well.
Bill Barrett: "Bill Barrett plays the chromatic harmonica. He is also a man who transcribes Armenian Clarinet music, can diagram a Little Walter diatonic harp solo, and can take apart, clean, repair, lubricate and reassemble his instrument like a Green Beret unjamming his weapon in the heat of battle."
Ron Kalina: Considered one of the finest jazz harmonica players, as well as piano virtuosos, on the scene today, Mr. Kalina's talents can be heard on many motion picture and television sound tracks, including the ever popular "Moonlighting" and "Paradise", and on countless albums, such as Linda Ronstadt's "Canciones de me Padre". The recipient of many prestigious awards, and winner of the 1991 International Jazz Harmonica Competition, Mr. Kalina has performed concerts coast-to-coast and throughout Europe, including sell-out concerts in Vienna.
Tommy Morgan: "Tommy Morgan is the most "heard" harmonica player in the world today. As a composer, arranger and performer, his resumŽ includes television, motion pictures and pop albums, including recording with such diverse artists as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Michael Crawford. Additionally, Tommy has been serving as a church choir director for more than 20 years." Also see "Against The Grain".
Billy Frye: "Billy Frye looks like a virtuoso, but sounds like an orchestra. He sequences many different harmonicas as well as keyboard effects. His live performances are dynamic."
Pete Graber: "From the Philadelphia, PA area, Pete started playing diatonic harp around age 5 and began playing chromatic harmonica when he was 14. Now, for over 30 years, he plays anything from Rock to Pop, Blues to Classical, Jazz to Country, or Religious to Originals on chromatic harmonica. It is a gift he loves to share."
Ron Kalina: Considered one of the finest jazz harmonica players, as well as piano virtuosos, on the scene today, Mr. Kalina's talents can be heard on many motion picture and television sound tracks, including the ever popular "Moonlighting" and "Paradise", and on countless albums, such as Linda Ronstadt's "Canciones de me Padre". The recipient of many prestigious awards, and winner of the 1991 International Jazz Harmonica Competition, Mr. Kalina has performed concerts coast-to-coast and throughout Europe, including sell-out concerts in Vienna.
Dave McKelvy: "David McKelvy is an elequent and imaginative soloist with a technique that keeps pace with his ideas. An in-demand session player heard on TV, radio, and movies, his encyclopedic musical vocabulary contributes to recordings by artists as varied as Brian Wilson, Stanley Clark, Nelson Riddle, and Terrence Blanchard. David and Michael played together 10 years ago in the Original Harmonica Band, and now with Danny, they blend their individual virtuosities into a dynamic ensemble sound that is at once tight and spacious. One hearing of their blistering show stopper, "Orange Blossom Special," demonstrates that this is truly a three-diesel train, each engine pulling its weight."
Danny Wilson: Bass harmonicist with The Dave McKelvy Trio, former member of Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, and Executive Vice President Emeritus of SPAH Inc. One of the finest bass harmonica players around.
Michael Burton: Chord, Chromatic & Diatonic Harmonicas. "A former member of the popular Johnny Puleo's Harmonica Gang, the Harmonica Rascals, and the zany yet musically superb Original Harmonica Band, Mr. Burton's musical abilities and showmanship continue to entertain audiences worldwide as Chord Harmonicist Supreme."
Jerry Murad: He founded Jerry Murad's Harmonicats back in the early 40's and took the group to the heights of popularity with the biggest selling harmonica recording of all time, Peg O' My Heart. 1997 will be the 50th anniversary of that hit and Jerry is still playing professionally with his Harmonicats. A testimony to their continued popularity is the two pages devoted to the Harmonicats in an article on Harmonicas in the November 1995 issue of Smithsonian Magazine.
Sigmund Groven: "The official website of Sigmund Groven, the Norwegian chromatic harmonica virtuoso."
Pete Pedersen: "Pete released another CD in 2001 called "Some of These Days & Some of Those Days". It features his amazing recording of An American In Paris, the two test pieces he did for the World Harmonica Championships (Pictures of A Woman and La Corrida del Toro) , Pete's Waltz (an amazing jazz-waltz version of Waltz of the Flowers), a full-throttle arrangement of Opus One , Toots Theliman's Latin Quarter, Revisited in a totally different up-beat arrangement, Wind Beneath My Wings, Unforgettable, a Christmas tune - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Two versions of Cheek To Cheek, and a beautiful ballad and standard that you seldom hear called For You For Me For Evermore. Pete passed away in May of 2002, but his music still lives on."
John Sebastian Sr.: One of the first classical harmonica players on the scene and the father of John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful fame). No site currently available.
Bernie Bray: Bernie was Canada's premier harmonicist, born October 2, 1921, in Medicine Hat, AB, lived in Saskatoon, SK, Winnipeg, MB, Calgary and Edmonton, AB, and finally retired to Toronto and Scarborough, ON. He was soloist and member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, with two tours of duty. He didn't have the opportunity to make too many recordings, but he was commissioned to do a solo album for the CBC as a promotional recording (1968), to be used by the CBC in its radio programming.
Sandy German: If you're a harmonica player, you know Sandy German. He's the guy who appears onstage at SPAH, accompanied by a chord and bass. If you're not a harmonica player, you're probably saying, "What's a chord and bass?, Who is Sandy German?, and Who or what is SPAH?"
Alan Pogson: Alan, a master of both the chromatic and chord harmonicas, is probably remembered most as the originator and arranger of the famed chord solo for "Peg O' My Heart". Alan had broken the barriers of the chord instrument (designed and used solely as a chord/rhythm instrument in harmonica ensembles previously) and had been playing this unique solo for several years with the Borrah Minevitch Harmonica Rascals.
Larry Logan: "LARRY LOGAN, is properly listed among the elite few who have elevated the harmonica to the concert stage. From a hobby which began during his childhood, Logan developed his talent to the point that his performances on the little known instrument (at least in serious music) led to a career of recitals and as soloist with major symphony orchestras throughout the world. He has also worked with a stunning array of legendary names in show business. They include Bob Hope, Rudy Vallee, Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Durante, Gizele MacKenzie, Lisa Kirk, Cab Calloway, Mickey Rooney and a host of others."
Brendan Power: This UK emigrated New-Zealander has built himself a reputation as a virtuoso of celtic harmonica, even if he doesn't limit his skills to that style. He has also played with Sting and Ray Charles and uses strange tunings both on diatonic harmonicas and on chromatics.
Tollak Ollestad: "Tollak is also one of the most "heard" harmonica players in the world. As well as being the harmonica player in the theme for the classic TV series "Northern exposure" he's also featured in the music for Good morning America and has played and recorded with a long list of artists, such as - Natalie Cole, Al Jarreau, Don Henley, Kenny Loggins, Brian Mcknight, Bebe Winans, Earth wind and fire, Dave Grusin, Chet Atkins and many more."
Willi Burger: "Italy born, Burger is considered one of the finest classical chromatic harmonica players, on the scene today. He played as a soloist with Italian and European orchestras and he has four Albums on hisâ credit. His repertoire includes classical and modern Authors and original pieces written for him by world famous composers: Abbado, Bandel, Cattaneo, Coggiola, Negro, Reverberi and Teodori. In 2003 he played in Rome (I) at Quirinale (the Italian Presidentâs House). In 2004 he organized the first Italian workshop for chromatic harmonica. He designed ãAmadeusä harmonica, Hohner top model. He also transcribes classical music for chromatic harmonica. He performs regularly in Italy."
Torkel's Chromatic Harmonica Page: "Since I started playing I've noticed a certain lack of pages on chromatic harmonica on the web. I thought I'd help out, and start a page for all of you who want to learn the chromatic harmonica, but can't afford lessons or who take pride in learning by yourself. I've played the diatonic harmonica for a few months now, and of course I haven't mastered it, but I wanted something with less limits and a bigger "vocabulary". That's when I thought of the chromatic harmonica that was collecting dust in my desk drawer. I picked it out and voila. Anyways, here are some hints and tips on how I'm learning."
Damien Masterson: "Jazz harmonica master and Hohner endorsee Damien Masterson brings his music to the web, featuring high quality sound samples taken from his new CD 'Intercambio'."
Helio Rocha: "Personal page of a chromatic harmonica player, music teacher and midi user."
Don Les: "Don Les Harmonicats, featuring Mo Vint - Vol 1 & 2 Cassette format only. Featuring Don Les playing diatonic 1st position jazz/pop, with Mo Vint on chord and harmonetta, while also playing electric pedal bass."
Robert Bonfiglio: "The New York Post calls him "America's leading Harmonica Virtuoso" This is the Classical Harmonica player that is playing Harmonica Concertos with major orchestras around the world including the Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suiise Romande, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Bonfiglio has perfromed the Villa-Lobos Harmonica Concerto over 350 times."
Julian Jackson: "Julian Jackson, the UK's leading Jazz harmonica player. As a teenager living in Machester, Julian captured the Hohner British Harmonica Championships three years in a row. Julian's unique style and ability in both jazz and classical harmonica playing has won him the recognition of many musicians and composers. Julian was featured soloist on the Oscar winning sound track for the film 'The Full Monty'. Julian is a frequent session choice for films, TV and ads, but his greatist love is to play jazz."
Marcus Milius: "Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonicist/Guitarist/Singer/Composer."
George Fields: "George Fields has been a professional harmonica player for more than 50 years, having started his career in his early teens by forming the Brooklyn Harmonica Symphony Society in the years before World War II. At age 19 he joined the Cappy Barra Harmonica Gentlemen as soloist, traveling throughout the country on the vaudeville circuit. Subsequently he spent a year with the Borrah Minevitch Harmonica Rascals as soloist, after which he came to California to play with the Leo Diamond trio. He soon established himself as the harmonicist of choice at the Hollywood studios, where his playing could be heard on many film scores -- "Ruby Gentry", where he introduced the song "Ruby", "Breakfast At Tiffany's", where he introduced the song "Moon River", to name a few."
Paul Templar: "Back in the 1960's, Paul was always on BBC Radio, in workers playtime and midday music hall plus Blackpool Night and other radio shows. In 1976, he won the British Harmonica Championships taking the modern rhythm section as well. He has just completed on Computer, the Michael Spivakovsy harmonica concerto with full orchestra, all three movements."
Joe Sakimoto: "Born in 1947 in Tokyo. At first he played tremolo, but changed to chromatic in 1962, after listening John Sebastian's concert. He studied harmonica in Germany for 2 years, and in his German days, he won the 2nd prize at the contest at Eindhoven, Netherland on Oct. 1971. He returned to Japan in 1972, and till now he is active as one of the top chromatic players in Japan."
Dino Soldo: "A true Los Angeles native, multi-instrumentalist, Dino Soldo, has played Chromatic harmonica with Lionel Richie, Take 6, Sheila E, and countless Jazz artists. His debut CD, "Strange & Beautiful" (2000/tobaccobagg Records) was an instant critical success ("Dino is LA's best kept Secret!" Sonic net- AnandrOnline.com)."
Barry Watson: "A Music and poetry web site for Barry Watson of Westerham, Kent, England. Barry's debut Jazz harmonica album "Building Dreams" is available from this web site."
Don Wessels: "Don is a chromatic (only) player with a passion for traditional Scottish and Irish music. He has appeared throughout the United States in a number of configurations, and has shared the stage with the likes of Hall and Oates, Maynard Ferguson and Steve Goodman. For the past decade he has concentrated on "Irish" chromatic, enlightened by the great playing of Brendan Power and Eddie Clarke, but working to create a new "old" sound closer to the bagpipes and fiddle. He performs regularly, over the past few years with Dave Rowe and Murphy's Lawbreakers, following that with partnerships with Irish flute player Davy Maguire of Antrim and with uilleann piper Tom Wilsbach. He also teaches chromatic at the River Tree Arts School in Maine."
Eddie Gordon: "Hired by Borrah Minevitch personally in 1950. Nurtured by Johnny Puleo and the Harmonical Rascals until the rascals retired. Played all over the world with the Harmonica Rascals tours. Fluent on chromatic and diaonic harmonicas, he is also the master of the Millioniser 2000 invented by WQalter Miller of Switzerland."
Chris Bauer: "Chris is a jazz chromatic harmonica artist that has performed and recorded with "Jerry Murad's Harmonicats" and numerous jazz artists in the New York City area. He began playing harmonica at the age of 9 and by 13, was playing with his father Bob's New York trio "The Harmonikings." In 1987, Chris placed 4th in a field of 27 chromatic harmonica soloists at the International Harmonica Federation competition in England. His music has been used in production libraries and on ABC television. This website has clips of his debut solo CD "Now's The Time", pictures, and performance information."
Wim Dijkgraaf: "He studied Composition and Contemporary Music at the conservatory of Tilburg, NL, with the Roumanian composer Alexandru Hrisanide. At this stage he also immersed himself in the world of jazz harmonica intensively; a trip that lasted for seven years. After four sabbatical years he picked up the thread again in 2002, and is active once again as a composer, pianist and harmonica player in various formations."
Dirk Friedrich: "Chromatic jazz-harp player with a sound of his own. He started as a diatonic blues player and then developed his own way of improvising. All jazz styles, often performing with guitar players(:"DOUBLE D"), also solo artist."
Marcelo Heras: "Marcelo Heras is an original chromatic harmonica player, specializing in "tangos", who has played in several world tango festivals. He normaly plays with Aldo Saralegui piano player, in the Buenos aires, Argentina, scene. You will be able to watch "RealVideo 8" examples and read about his career and artistry as well at the ARMONITANGO site."
Anthony Lau: "I am a classical harmonica player and like to perform and teach classical harmonica using a chromatic harmonica." A member and soloist of the YMCA Harmonica Orchestra, Hong Kong, since 1956.
Jim Watkins: "As a youngster growing up in rural Louisiana, I always had a harmonica in my pocket. I spent most of my after-school hours roaming the woods and fields near my home. There weren't many other boys my age around, so I spent most of my time alone. The harmonica was a companion and a means of amusement."

If you have a website or know of one that should be listed here, please email us with the web address, site title (or player's name), brief description, and the page it should be included on. If you find any 'dead' links or have changed the URL to your site, please let us know so we can make the correction.

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