Skip's Harp Site: Harmonica Calendar

We won! Strictly Jug Nuts topped the competition, carrying away the "Stuffy" --
an original sausage stuffing device on which are inscribed the names of the winners! See in the Cafe at the Old Town School.

We played under a tent by the pond in the town park; weather was wonderful, MK Nessler was at her best, and we took photos for our upcoming album. A very nice occasion.

We were on the Gazebo in the park, well behind the main stage. But the jam drew a bunch of folks, including a hot blues mandolin player, a new fiddle player, and an amazing guy on washtub base. Add to this a nice summer day, shade from the gazebo, and a wonderful breeze --- what else could we want?

The best First Friday jam so far! Chris and I led it, Steve H. (a drum pro) gave us hot percussion, Marty provided his usual, great fiddle, Lee played bass, we had fine vocals by Mary and Yo, and some new folks on guitar, fiddle, and other instruments. These get better and better!

This final program in the series was a great finale.
Joe Filisko traced the harmonica from it's earliest recordings (including the first mention of it by the "father of the blues," W.C. Handy) to Chicago Blues, performing songs by each: breathtaking renditions of songs usually heard only on recordings. His list of those making the greatest contributions: DeFort Baily, Sonny Terry, Sonnyboy Williamson, and Little Walter. Outstanding!

What fun! This term the class is joined by Stan Johnson, accompanying us on guitar.

Quigley's was a wonderful venue for the Pubsing. It's in a long, curved strip mall (not easy to see, but right at Pulaski and 111th). In addition to the inside bar part, Quigley's has an outdoor area with perhaps a dozen tables -- that's where we were. We had a good crowd of South Siders, including friends and family of the performers. The weather was perfect (just about 68-70 degrees and clear), the food was good, and everyone had a great time.

As always, Mark Dvorak was a great hit, playing folk/blues and telling stories. One of his songs was his tribute to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee,
"One Couldn't Walk, One Couldn't See."

I had a full class with others waiting to get in.
We began with a combination of songs including Shady Grove (folk), I Still Miss Someone
(Johnny Cash), and Mighty Good Leader (blues/gospel).

Dynamite! Eric played both guitar and piano, and folks leaving talked about how much they'd enjoyed the program.

Thanks to all my students!
A great show for Harp I featuring Jim, Teepee, Wally, and (later) Veronica.
(We missed Ron and Vance). Harp Forever wowed the audience with a seven song set, ending with a version of The Good Old Summertime that sounded like a calliope.
And the scones, as always, were wonderful!

This was a rave performance.
Chris traced the blues from the southlands, including New Orleans. Using both piano and guitar he did songs of W.C. Handy, Jelly Roll Morton,
Bessie Smith, Big Bill Broonzy, and many others.
A highlight was when a member of the audience told us that he had been at a benefit for Big Bill (during Bill's final illness) in which Mahalia Jackson sang a duet with Broonzy.

Six members of the Hump Night Thumpers did two sets to an appreciative audience with a nice buffet of snackables. The hosts' thank-you note included a photo of a tightrope walker on a wire strung between two buildings. Hope they make it across!