Harmonica Almanac – September 23

Pete Krampert September 23, 2015 Almanac

Blues one-man band Joe Hill Louis was born on this day in 1921. Louis played drums, guitar and harmonica at the same time. He learned to play the harmonica from Will Shade and was recording by the late 1940’s. He took over B.B. King’s radio show and even made some recordings with Walter Horton.

Blues singer, keyboards and harmonica player Patrick Hazell began playing the harmonica when he was nineteen years old. He began working professionally in Blues bands in the 960’s and started working as a one-man band in 1983. Hazell was born on this day in 1945.

British Blues singer, guitar and harmonica player Duster Bennett was born on this day in 1946. During his short career his back-up bands included members of Fleetwood Mac and The Yardbirds and he even did a short stint as a member John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
https://youtu.be/9l1jJ7KIwAg
Rock singer-songwriter, guitar and harmonica player Bruce Springsteen has been performing and recording since the 1970’s. He sometimes plays the harmonica on a neckbrace. Springsteen was born on this day in 1949.

Blues guitar, mandolin and harmonica player Houston Stackhouse died on this day in 1980. He began playing the harmonica somewhere around the 1920’s and during his career he worked with Robert Nighthawk, Jimmie Rogers, Sonny Boy Williamson II and other Blues greats.

Country musician Jimmy Wakely played several instruments, including the harmonica. He started his career in Oklahoma, but became famous after moving to California to work with Gene Autry. Wakely died on this day in 1982.
https://youtu.be/iFNH35LowpY
Classical composer Malcolm Arnold died on this day in 2006. Arnold wrote “Harmonica Concerto Op. 46” in 1954 for Larry Adler.

Blues harmonica player Gary Primich grew up in northwest Indiana and learned how to play the harmonica in Chicago’s Blues scene. He moved to Austin Texas in the 1980’s, fronted several bands as well as having a stellar solo career. Primich died on this day in 2007.

That’s it for today. Have fun and practice!