Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast Neil Warren

Ben Bouman joins me on episode 81.
Ben is a Dutch blues player who always strives for originality in his playing, partly inspired by his admiration for the playing of Paul deLay. Ben’s current band is The Marble Tones, who took their name from the amplifier company, with Ben helping develop their range of harmonica amps.
Ben also helped Seydel prototype their steel reeds before they released them some fifteen years ago, and he tells us all about polishing and profiling steel reeds, his own business selling customised Seydel harmonicas, and how he helped persuade Seydel in moving over to Compromised Just Tuning.
The Harpgame Is On! is the name of Ben’s self-produced album and he regularly posts YouTube videos, including his recent tuition videos on different harmonica themes.

Links:
Ben’s website:
https://www.benboumanharmonicas.nl
Webshop to buy Ben Bouman custom harmonicas:
https://www.benboumanharmonicas.nl/rapidcartpro/index.php?catalog/all/-/date/1
Marble amplifiers:
https://www.marble-amps.com/
Viola Barends:
https://www.violaharmonica.com/
Seydel festival and harmonica competition:
https://mundharmonika-live.de
https://www.seydel1847.de/seydelopen-registration
Hohner CBH chromatic:
https://chromhistory.blog/2019/05/22/cbh-2012-2016/


Videos:
Paul deLay Harmonica Party:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWepAFBqsN4
Marble Tones band videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@BluesMoose/search?query=marbletones
Ben's Tone in a cup:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463839653
Viola Barends harmonica orchestra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ7sNeZUAAI
Ben playing Watermelon Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnEbikuq7sI
Ben playing blues chromatic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNSa7VdKFXw
Ben gear demo recording, including Pignose amp:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWFrUNKpMx8
The Monkey Speaks His Mind with The Marble Tones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d4HbjTn4EI



Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at

Todd Parrot joins me on episode 80.
Todd is a gospel harmonica player who was inspired to play harmonica after first hearing it in church. He went on to join the church band and has gone on to develop a heavenly tone on the instrument. Todd listened to a lot of country harmonica and was influenced from several players from that genre, including Terry McMillan. 
Todd released a self-produced solo album, Songs From The Harp, where he learned to play several instruments to accompany his harmonica playing, as well as using other musicians. He is also a sought after session musician, appearing on albums from numerous recording artists.
Todd has run the Carolina HarpFest harmonica camp and is a regular at the annual SPAH event. He makes use of alternative tunings, makes his own combs and is an overblow player.

Links:
Todd’s website:
http://www.toddparrott.com/
Carolina Harp Fest:
http://www.toddparrott.com/carolina-harp-fest.html
Joe Spiers Custom harmonicas:
https://spiersharmonicas.com/
Hohner Golden Melody live launch stream (23/02/23):
https://www.hohner.de/en/community/news/news-details/product-launch-event-livestream


Videos:
Playing with Buddy Green at SPAH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvN9XsOEdWA
Playing Amazing Grace at SPAH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ2kom7jv6g
Todd reviews Joe Spiers custom harps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzrEg97RzLI
Todd playing a Golden Melody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZj5hCsx8vo
Reviewing Brendan Power’s Slip Slider harmonica:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7vZCgf8Zc4
Demonstrates harmonica with 7 draw tuned down:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hUCd03PDAM

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS

Rocky Lok joins me on episode 79.
Rocky lives in Hong Kong, where there is a vibrant harmonica scene. Harmonica is taught in many schools there, which is how Rocky got started playing himself almost 50 years ago. He went on to become part of the King's Harmonica Quintet which has played many prestigious concerts, including in front of an audience of twenty thousand, as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch procession and winning the group competition at the World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen. 
Rocky is a former president of the Hong Kong Harmonica Association where he was involved in setting-up the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival and is regular judge in the competitions. He also helped organise the current Guinness world record of the most harmonicas playing together, officially 6131 people in Hong Kong.
Links:

King’s Harmonica Quintet:
www.KHQ.HK  
Hong Kong Harmonica Association:
www.hkharmonica.org
The first Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition, 2022:
www.ICHC.hkharmonica.org
The first Hong Kong International Composition Competition for Chromatic Harmonica 2021:
https://iccch.hkharmonica.org/
Details on the different chromatics Rocky plays:
https://www.myharmonicastudio.com/rocky-lok-incredible-harmonica-collection/
The 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2022:
http://hxharmonica.com/en/index.asp
Upcoming King’s Harmonica Quintet show:
https://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/programme/kings_harmonica_quintet

Videos:
King's Harmonica Quintet playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1NSxVDARfeZu9bfK9iviZlnBZGCMU2nM
Rocky playing solo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEiWkVf_Fbs&list=PL1NSxVDARfeYAmUSmjwMlGpCVpdgW_ZxG

Rocky interview with Hohner from 2012:
https://www.hohner.de/en/rocky-lok
The 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2022 concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wJyOhzjBa0&list=PL1NSxVDARfealNufMH0jw_sum_cYRbM2q

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Marko Jovanovic joins me on episode 78.
Marko is a German player with Serbian roots, from where he developed an interest in playing Balkan music on the harmonica, returning to the region to team up with several acts to release some great music in that genre. He’s also an expert blues player, has played chamber music, Arabic music and much more on both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas.
Marko also runs the successful Berlin Harmonica School, where as well as one-to-one group classes he has some great online video tutorials from players around the world. Offering lessons in a range of different styles, including Irish, Argentinian, and soon to come: more chromatic, flamenco and advanced diatonic harmonica. And he also runs the FEN harmonica festival now too.

Links:
Marko’s website:
https://mjharmonica.com/
Berlin Harmonica School:
https://harmonica-school-berlin.com/
FEN Festival:
https://harmonica-fen-festival.com/

Videos:
Marko’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@mjharmonica/featured
Marko playing On The Road Again with Bluesrudy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ooqHFbmK9k
Playing with Lars Vegas & The Love Gloves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvksaOsXgkY
Playing with George Sareski:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9lVZN76fjo
Playing at Harmonica Masters 2015 Trossingen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtbW9HHAxbU


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Rob Paparozzi joins me on episode 77.
Rob is based around the New York area where he started out playing in blues bands before quickly adding the chromatic to his harp arsenal. He took lessons with Robert Bonfiglio and then had Toots Thielemans giving him tips over the telephone. The versatility afforded to Rob by playing both diatonic and chromatic allowed him to enjoy a tremendous career on the session scene in New York, playing with many famous names including Dolly Parton, Randy Newman and Whitney Houston. He’s fronted the Original Blues Brothers Band for over twenty years, released a Paul Butterfield tribute album and his own Grammy nominated album.

Links:
Rob’s website:
http://robpaparozzi.com/

Blue Moon Harmonicas:
https://bluemoonharmonicas.com/
Videos:
Rob’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/chromboyx
Tommy Morgan playing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDv0nLlUxDs&list=RDEMkbeA-8Dfp9SMty0FJvHNpA&start_radio=1
Rob performing with Dolly Parton:
https://youtu.be/RILd7USxBMc
Rob performing with Randy Newman:
https://youtu.be/4EmF3Xxlxg8
Electric Butter: Walking By Myself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdaabsUn-PQ
Rob’s My Music Masterclass videos: https://www.mymusicmasterclass.com/premiumvideos/rob-paparozzi-harmonica-masterclass-videos-1-2-3-bundle/

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Will Pound joins me on episode 76.
Will first started playing harmonica age 10 to help with his breathing after he underwent two major heart operations as a child. Since then he has rose to fame on the English folk scene, being nominated for folk musician of the year three times. He now plays harmonica and melodeon, diversifying his musical output to cover many different acoustic genres.
Will has released a number of albums with a range of quality musicians, with his last album spanning the traditional music genres of the European continent.
He has a number one Christmas single and a number one Christmas album on his resume, has played at Buckingham Palace and on an advertisement featuring Robert de Niro.

Links:
Will’s website:
https://willpound.com/
Bandcamp site:
https://willpound.bandcamp.com/
DPA headset microphones:
https://www.dpamicrophones.com/headset-and-earset-microphones
Jingle Bells:
https://willpound.bandcamp.com/track/jingle-bells

Videos:
Will’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@WillPoundMusic
Will Morris dancing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ_4zkdxQto&list=PLcvB436mCA_iJQRGiZGq66InPQJsCYt3J
Walsh and Pound at NHL concert in 2009:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTlpnYxxBJM
Appearing on BBC Breakfast TV for Folk Award nomination:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9L6L1Hgctg
Playing with Dame Evelyn Glennie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9C44Qq38Vk
He’s Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - Hillsborough Charity single:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svOX9dy0hyw
Playing at Buckingham Palace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDISPLcpiGY
Facebook video with Jenn Butterworth:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1601228916702386
Warburton’s advert with Robert Niro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHoobL__NE

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/