Harmonica Almanac – September 8

Pete Krampert September 8, 2015 Almanac

17th century French Marin Mersenne was born on this day in 1588. Mersenne traveled through Asia and wrote about the Sheng, thus bringing the concept of free-reeded instruments to Europe.
Blues harmonica player Harmonica Fats began playing the harmonica at the age of three while growing up in Louisiana. He moved to California in 1946 and later worked as a duo with Guitarist Bernie Pearl. Fats was born on this day in 1927.

Grateful Dead singer, keyboards and harmonica Ron “Pigpen” McKernan was born on this day in 1945. Pigpen was an integral part of the group’s earlier bluesy sound and often played the harmonica on their early recordings.

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