Tuesday, March 2, 2010

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 163 #206)

More Juke Practice!
Both B1 classes continued practicing the Juke ensemble arrangement to be performed at the Harmonica Convergence show. We are sounding a lot better! Please note that we will practice next week WITHOUT sheet music in front of us. You should all have your parts memorized by now. Spend time this week working to remove vamping so you can play clean, single notes. Also, practice with a metronome so you learn to stay in rhythm.

Memorize the dynamics we practiced so you know when to adjust your volume, remember where you tend to rush so you resist that temptation, and for the melody part, remember where to play with hands closed as we practiced.

Please show up as early as possible for rehearsal in the coming weeks. We will start Juke practice at 6:45 pm next week through March 15 (the last Monday practice before the performance).

Please note the "dress code" for this gig: we'll all wear black, with "dress black" preferred. Blues hats and dark sunglasses are totally acceptable.

Shoji has posted the parts and the song here: Juke.

Exciting New Releases!
Live William Clarke CD now available!
- thanks to Bob Corritore for this news:

Jeanette Lodovici, the widow of the late West Coast harmonica master William Clarke, has lovingly been releasing her late husband's recorded work in a series of collectors CDs. The latest installment is called William Clarke / Live Bootleg Cassette Anthology, and features surprisingly good sounding board tapes of live shows from 1991 and 1996. The 1996 shows were recorded on his last tour just weeks before William's untimely passing at the age of 45, with a band consisting of Paul Bryant, Rick Reed and Brian Fahey. This CD is a wonderful reminder of the powerful talent of this harmonica great. Get it here.

New Disc With Sugar Ray Norcia!
This new CD from Pugno Maurizio features harp player Sugar Ray Norcia: "Kill the Coffee".

Four New Releases from Blue Bella Records!
Chicago's own Blue Bella Records has four new releases coming out March 16 and two have harp on them - Cash Box Kings and Kilborn Alley. More details here: Blue Bella.

The Blues Foundation Announces 2010 Inductees!
Included in the 2010 Blues Foundation inductees to the Blues Hall of Fame are:
  • Performer: Charlie Musselwhite
  • Single/Album Track: Key To the Highway by Big Bill Broonzy (OKeh 1941)
  • Single/Album Track: Spoonful by Howlin' Wolf (Chess 1960)
To see the full list, click here.

RIP Brian "B.B." Bruce!
- thanks to Bob Corritore and Andy Cornett for this news:

September 17, 1946 - February 24, 2010. Harmonica player, Brian "B.B." Bruce passed away Wednesday, February 24th, of colon cancer in his home of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was 63. Best known for his long association with Henry Gray, Brian and Andy Cornett co-founded Henry Gray & The Cats in the mid 1970s. Bruce also worked with the legendary Tabby Thomas, Rudy Richard, Larry Garner, Lil' Buck Sinegal, Harry "Big Daddy" Hypolite, Carol Fran and a host of other Louisiana artists. Bruce received a Slim Harpo Award from the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation in the mid 1990s. Cornett has this to say about his longtime friend and musical associate; "Brian"B.B." Bruce embodied a sense of delight and gratefulness, delivered 110% commitment, dedication, heart and soul in all of his performances no matter where he performed in the world. He touched many peoples' hearts with his music and his life."

Class Notes
  • Jim Liban -- Guest Instructor in B1. It's Jim Liban season! In addition to his highly anticipated performance at SPACE on March 18, we are lucky enough to have Jim scheduled to teach in B1 on March 29. Mark your calendars and don't miss this one. Jim is going to talk about the art of songwriting and about constructing an extended harmonica instrumental. This will be an evening in B1 not to be missed.
  • The Harmonica Convergence show is SOLD OUT! If you don't have a ticket, you are still welcome to perform.
  • A new session started at Old Town tonight and Joe would like to thank all those who signed up for classes. Registration levels in all Joe's group classes are high. Thanks!
The Cajun Duo!
Joe Filisko and Zoe Savage, rising-star Cajun duo, returned from a wonderful time in Louisiana visiting B1 friend Jerry Devillier. Joe reports Zoe performed with aplomb and wowed the crowds at both organized and impromptu performances.

Hot Gig Coming Up!
We're excited to announce a very special show on Thursday, March 18 at SPACE in Evanston. The Filisko and Noden duo are opening up for the Jim Liban Trio! Don't miss this one! And to help you out, Jeff "Bone" Reynolds has arranged to sell tickets to save you the online shopping or the trip to the box office. See Jeff next week if you need tickets ($10/ea.) Pawn your watch, phone in sick on Friday, do whatever you need to do to be at this show -- it's going to be great! Also, help us spread the word to all your friends by posting the gig on your Facebook profile.

March 2010 -- Live Harmonica Month!
We'd like to unofficially declare that March 2010 is the month to catch great live harp shows in Chicagoland! There are tons of shows in the area to check out. In addition to the Filisko/Noden/Liban show at SPACE and the OTS harmonica convergence, there are other great shows to see: Rick Estrin, Watermelon Slim, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Cash Box Kings, Matthew Skoller, etc. Get off the couch and get out to support these amazing bands! Full details where? Yup, at youmissedmonday.com, your source for all harmonica gigs!

Newsletter News!
The newsletter and more is always online! Check it out for more details on newsletter items, a calendar of local gigs, jams, birthdays, archives, links, videos and special features.

We welcome your input. If you're inspired to write a review of a live show, CD, DVD or book, please submit it to us for consideration.

- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew