DATE: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 20:08:41 CDT From: GeoMik <000130~SUB.YSU.EDU> Subject: Blues Harmonica Trio
Is there any interest for Blues Harmonica accompanied by Bass and Chord Harmonica. During the years 1979 through 1984, I was part of such a trio of harmonicas in the Youngstown, Ohio area. The name of the trio was KEEP ON HARPIN'....the name was a take off of the Charlie McCoy song by the same name. The members of the group were Dale "Pixie" Ensign, blues harp; Mike Sizer, chord; and myself on bass. Our style of playing was quite unique in that we studied the performances of many great harp players and found our own sound. Simply the fact that this was a harmonica trio with a blues harp player instead of a chromatic lead player was the first uniqueity. But in addition to that, the three of us had a strong admiration for Peter "Madcat" Ruth and mostly sought his unique sound in both melody and accompanyment. The toughest part of trying to copy Madcat was the bass line. At that same time, Madcat was using Jason Buckaloe on the electric bass....the octave skips were not too bad, but the slap bass was impossible to copy.
KEEP ON HARPIN' appeared at several of the S.P.A.H. international har- monica conventions in Detroit as well as other regional harmonica player gatherings in Columbus and Akron Ohio.
I am interested in talking with others who are interested in forming such a musical ensemble, perhaps I can help in some way.
KEEP ON HARPIN' George
********************************************************************* * George W. Miklas, Harmonicat, P.O.Box 292, North Lima, OH 44452 * * ah5~fn.ysu.edu <> harmon~so.uc.edu Phone: (216) 549-2684 * *********************************************************************