Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 17:01:01 -0500 From: "kmax" Subject: Charlie Horvath, Harmonicat
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Hi, I've been following the list for about a month and I'm very impressed with the quality of comments, questions and replies. I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba and play in a band called the Seniors' Philharmonica Band. (To find Wpg. on your map, locate Grand Forks, North Dakota and head north along I-29. You can't miss it. Wpg. has a population of approx. 650,000 and this year Toots Thielemans and Howard Levy played concerts, but not at the same time.) Since joining the band in March, 2000, I've been told by many of the players that one of their former members was a master harmonica technician who kept everyone's harmonicas in working order. It turns out he was Charlie Horvath, a former Harmonicat and a very good friend of Jerry Murad, the leader of the Harmonicats. I was told that Charlie repaired all of Jerry's harmonicas and that he could modify any harmonica to play in any key a player wished. He was a 'magician' and highly respected by all. I believe he played bass harmonica for the Harmonicats. Unfortunately, when he died he took all his technical secrets with him. It seems he didn't share his knowledge of harmonica repair. As well, it seems his wife didn't share his passion for harmonicas and when he died she tossed out most of his harmonicas and repair equipment. (I've been told that Dick Gardiner may have received some of his equipment.) The lesson here is: if you have anything of value make sure it is designated to go to someone when you die. Most of this info I received from Otto Zipp, a 82 year-old master of the chromatic. As a young man he picked up a chromatic harmonica, stuck it in his mouth with the slide to his left and never looked back. I don't think there is anything he can't play. (Well, maybe he doesn't play the blues.) He also plays diatonic and his rendition of Orange Blossom Special is a marvel. He uses two diatonics. Anyway I just thought I'd pass along this bit of harmonicana . If any of you can add to what I've written about Charlie Horvath, please do so. Our band would be interested. Also, I acknowledge that I may have some of this info wrong so please feel to correct me. (I know you will because most of you are not shy about imparting your knowledge; for ex., perfect pitch.) Cheers, Bill Dodge
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Hi,
I've been following the list for about a month and I'm very impressed with the quality of comments, questions and replies. I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba and play in a band called the Seniors' Philharmonica Band. (To find Wpg. on your map, locate Grand Forks, North Dakota and head north along I-29. You can't miss it. Wpg. has a population of approx. 650,000 and this year Toots Thielemans and Howard Levy played concerts, but not at the same time.)
Since joining the band in March, 2000, I've been told by many of the players that one of their former members was a master harmonica technician who kept everyone's harmonicas in working order. It turns out he was Charlie Horvath, a former Harmonicat and a very good friend of Jerry Murad, the leader of the Harmonicats. I was told that Charlie repaired all of Jerry's harmonicas and that he could modify any harmonica to play in any key a player wished. He was a 'magician' and highly respected by all. I believe he played bass harmonica for the Harmonicats.
Unfortunately, when he died he took all his technical secrets with him. It seems he didn't share his knowledge of harmonica repair. As well, it seems his wife didn't share his passion for harmonicas and when he died she tossed out most of his harmonicas and repair equipment. (I've been told that Dick Gardiner may have received some of his equipment.) The lesson here is: if you have anything of value make sure it is designated to go to someone when you die.
Most of this info I received from Otto Zipp, a 82 year-old master of the chromatic. As a young man he picked up a chromatic harmonica, stuck it in his mouth with the slide to his left and never looked back. I don't think there is anything he can't play. (Well, maybe he doesn't play the blues.) He also plays diatonic and his rendition of Orange Blossom Special is a marvel. He uses two diatonics.
Anyway I just thought I'd pass along this bit of harmonicana . If any of you can add to what I've written about Charlie Horvath, please do so. Our band would be interested. Also, I acknowledge that I may have some of this info wrong so please feel to correct me. (I know you will because most of you are not shy about imparting your knowledge; for ex., perfect pitch.)
