Norman R. Dobson Jr., or Norm, as he was known to all his harmonica friends everywhere, was the US Vice President of the National Harmonica League from 1982 until his death, aged 90. He lived in Peabody, near Boston, and for many years he looked after the interests of NHL members who lived in the […]
Tributes
Steve Jennings – Feb 1954 to Nov 2019 – a tribute
With contributions from Steve’s wife Josie, and his friends – Tom Hunter, Steve Jones, Rowena Millar, Johnny Mars, ‘Pip’ Rowland, and Paul Gillings. Stephen John Jennings or ‘Steve’ as he was universally known was one of the small group of volunteers who are responsible for the survival and success of the National Harmonica League (NHL) […]
Tommy Reilly – A Life in Music – Vintage Tommy Reilly.
This is an extended version of the review that was published in the Aug/Sept 2019 issue of Harmonica World. Tommy Reilly – A Life in Music – Vintage Tommy Reilly.Chandos CD20143 – CD Review by Cheng Jang Ming Tommy Reilly is widely recognised as the master of the chromatic harmonica. He was born 100 years […]
Charlie Leighton’s 65th birthday party, June 24th, 1986
A humorous, musical tribute recording compiled by Tabby Andriello for Charlie Leighton’s 65th birthday party in 1986. It contains rare recordings from Charley’s illustrious career with the Philharmonicas, Cappy Barra and as a soloist. It was played at the party attended by Charley’s wife, Roseann, Tabby Andriello, Phil Solomon, Stan Harper, Charles Spranklin, Richard Gain, […]
The Harmonicats 40th Anniversary Testimonial Concert 1981
It Was a Great Celebration . . . Thanks, Everyone? by Norm Dobson This audio is taken from a cassette recording of most of the concert. Microphone placement and the age of the tape has affected the quality somewhat. Edited from Harmonica Happenings, Spring 1981. Well, the long awaited testimonial to the Jerry Murad Harmonicats […]
Homage to Toots – Steven De bruyn
When I started to play the harmonica 27 years ago, Toots was big in Belgium. He did not only play on films and in concerts, but also on many local music shows and local television series. He was also the godfather of the great Jazz Middelheim Festival and played the national anthem before an International […]
Toots’ Funeral – William Galison
On Saturday 27 August, I attended the funeral of my friend and mentor, the incomparable Toots Thielemans. I was on tour in France when I heard the news of Toots passing, and I knew I had to go to Belgium to pay my respects. I drove with Belgian harmonica player, Steved De bruyn, to Toots […]
Toots and Jazz – Howard Levy
I was lucky to meet Toots and play with him on two occasions – once around 1980 at a club in Chicago, and then at the Harmonica Summit in 2000 in Minneapolis. When we met in Chicago, I told him how I chose to play Jazz on diatonic because I loved the bluesiness of the […]
Memories of an Old Friend: Toots – Rob Paparozzi
Toots came to the USA in the 50’s to join the Benny Goodman band and later George Shearing. John Lennon saw this LP cover in a shop in Hamburg, with Toots playing guitar, and decided if the Rickenbacker 325 was good enough for Toots he wanted it and hit the pawn shop on the corner! […]
Toots & me – Antonio Serano
I first met Toots Thielemans when I was only 17 years old, in Seville, during the World Exposition of 1992. My father and I had travelled there to hear and meet the great Toots Thielemans! I was beginning to get interested in jazz so I was really excited! We arranged to meet in the lobby […]