Harmonica History from around the World in Books

Harmonica History in Books.

Today’s harmonica world is the result of the pioneering activities of manufacturers, composers, performers and amateur players.
A lot has happened in the last 100 years but it is not very well documented or understood.
These books provide some of the background to the artists and the way the music developed.   


#AuthorTitle
#1Louis DelinBackstage Harmonica – Autobiography
#2Larry AdlerIt Ain’t Neccessarily So – Autobiography
#3Larry AdlerMe and my Big Mouth – more autobiography
#4Al SmithConfessions of Harmonica Addicts – A History of American Ensembles
#5Jane RodackBe of Good Cheer – Memories of Harmonica Legend, Pete Pedersen
#6Kim FieldHarmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers – Interviews and stories
#7Albert RaisnerLe Livre de l’Harmonica – History of The Harmonica to 1960 (French)
#8Ray GrieveA Band in a Waistcoat Pocket – The Story of Harmonica in Australia
#9Ray GrieveBoomerangs and Crackerjacks – The Harmonica in Australia, 1825-1960
#10Jerry AdlerLiving from Hand to Mouth – Larry Adler’s Younger Brother
#11Max GeldrayGone With The Wind – Autobiography of a Dutchman in England
#12Peter KrampertThe Encyclopedia of the Harmonica – Short Bios ofHarmonica Players
#13Kurt Roessler   Sie Spiel(t)en Mundharmonika – Harmonica Players (German)
#14Fabrizio PoggiIl soffio dell’anima: armoniche e armonicisti blues (Italian)
#15Martin HaeffnerHarmonica Makers of Germany and Austria
#16Martin HaeffnerHarmonicas – The Story of Hohner Brands
#17Christoph WagnerDie Mundharmonika – ein musikalischer globetrotter – German
#18Martin HaeffnerMade in Germany – Played in the USA
#19Martin Haeffner“Hohner The Living Legend” – 150th Anniversary
#20Zong XiaohuaChinese Made Harmonica Illustrations
#21EditorsSeventy Years of Hong Kong Harmonica (2004) (Chinese)
#22CMA, NUSHarmonicist’s Handbook, 1991, Singapore
#23Gianandrea PasquinelliSoffiando e Risoffiando – by Armonauti Trio (Italian)
#24Bruno KowalczykThe Harmonica and Traditional Québécois Music (French)
#25Charlie McCoy50 Cents and a Box Top
#26Jean LabreMusique en bouch (French)
#27Tony Glover, Scott Dirks, and Ward GainesThe Little Walter Story – Blues With a Feeling
#28Tommy MorganYou made HOW MUCH for doing What
#29Greg Zlap, Phillipe Charlot, MirasHarmonijka – A Backstage Story (A graphics comic biography (French)
#30Kim FieldThe Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold

You can read more information about these books and where you might be able to find them on Pat Missin’s fantastic web site about all aspects of harmonicas.