In association with the Indonesia Blues Association [INA], the Black Cat Jazz Club is expanding its horizons to incorporate blues into its programming. The result: TUESDAY BLUES. The special blues night will feature a single band, rotating through the list of top blues bands in Jakarta and surrounding areas, such as Bandung. In December, featured [...]
Continue reading JAKARTA: Tuesday Blues at Black Cat Jazz & Blues Club
John ‘Whiteboy’ Walden, from England, has been playing harmonica almost all of his life, starting at age 8. He quit school to turn professional in 1965. He has become one of the most highly-respected harmonica players in Europe. He is equally proficient on the more-familiar 10-hole diatonic harmonica as well as the chromatic, and his [...]
Continue reading John “Whiteboy” Walden — PROFILE
John “Whiteboy” Walden, a UK expat living in Cebu, Philippines, explains his expansive “gigging kit” that he takes to all of his gigs. Frequently asked why he carries so many harmonicas and other gear with him, John gives details about exactly what he has with him on stage, and why each item is there.
Continue reading The “Working Tools” of a Harmonica Player
Tomcat
John, I agree that your kit is appropriate, even necessary for a true pro player. But it sure is intimidating for a new harmonica player.
I would like to point especially to your comment about the most used keys for blues players who work with guitar-based bands, where six diatonic harps will cover over 90 percent over songs in a band’s repertoire.
I recommend that new harp players purchase instruments in the following order: first is the key of A [which plays 2nd position in E], then D, G, C, F and finally Bb.
Thanks for sharing your expertise with us. Now let’s get more samples of your performances on YouTube!
John "Whiteboy" Walden
Well said Tomcat!
When I travel by air I always “carry on” my harp case as hand luggage. But I pack my repair tools, cables and microphones into my suitcase to go in the aircraft hold.
Mostly aircraft security ask me to play one or several of the harps before they let me onto the aircraft.
It is important to check the airlines policy regarding size and weight of hand luggage before buying the flight ticket though. This varies between airlines, and can be a problem.
Onenote
Very interesting, clearly-written and informative article which answers a LOT of questions people are afraid to ask. Thanks, John!
Arvin
Very interesting, I enjoyed reading this
Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me” is one of my favorite blues tunes — and it is also the theme song of this online magazine.
YOU can help — in a number of ways:
* Send us information about blues in your part of Asia — just go to the TALK TO US tab at the top right of this page.
* If you are a musician with recordings or videos, let us know. We can arrange for reviews of your music.
* In fact, you can sign up as an official REVIEWER for us.
* Best of all, you can become a regular CONTRIBUTOR to Blues Asia Network.
Continue reading “HELP ME! I Can’t Do It By Myself”
BluesAsia
If you become a contributor that submits useful information, you will get credit for it, both in the by-line and in the Contributors box. If you have a “gravatar” picture, you recognition rate will go up.
Tom Colvin
Administrative comment to see if Gravatars are working.
Tomcat Colvin
Testing for new Gravatar for BluesAsia address.
Shrimp City Slim
There is great potential for a blues circuit in Asia…please become involved and contribute your information.
[...] Become A Contributor (bluesasianetwork.com) Thomas ColvinThomas "Tomcat" Colvin is an American expat, residing in Manila since 1986. He is best known in the Philippines as the harp player with LAMPANO ALLEY [now in hibernation], with lots of videos on YouTube. Google will also tell you more than you want to know about him. Currently, he is the administrator of the Blues Asia Network. And he flies around Asia tooting his harp.Website – Twitter – Facebook – More Posts [...]
Bangkok gets a rare treat with a charity performance by the Duke Ellington Orchestra at the Royal Medical College auditorium of Siriraj Hospital on Dec 12. The event celebrates the 83rd birthday of HM the King, himself a legendary jazz and blues fan and performer. Among the orchestra’s repertoire will be quite a number of [...]
Continue reading Duke Ellington Orchestra Performs in Bangkok
Blues harp player John Walden reviews the first two nights of the Cebu Guitar Festival, held annually in late November in the Philippines. It’s a major event, attracting guitarists and other musicians from all over the country.
Continue reading 4th Annual Cebu Guitar Festival Showcases Many Styles and Players
junx muana
Thanks John for a very well written and informative article, however I would just like to point out that although I am also one of the owners of the outpost, my involvement in the organizing was very minimal, credit and much kudos should go to Arnold “Anot” Ang guitarist extraordinaire of the band “Cuarenta” and the founder of the Cebu Guitar Festival as well as Sandy Kiamko one of the owners at Outpost and Events and promotions manager thereof.
Thanks also for gracing us with your presence during the event, that was excellent blues harp performance during your set with Joric and the Jook Jam. Hope to see you soon and to everybody…see you next year!
junx muana
[...] 4th Annual Cebu Guitar Festival Showcases Many Styles and Players (bluesasianetwork.com) Joric MaglanqueJoric "Delta Slim" Maglanque has been a mainstay in the Philippine blues scene for many years. He is known as a fine Chicago style guitarist, but he has also delved deeply into the early acoustic blues tradition. Over the years, he has promoted the blues, organizing many events spotlighting other bands and musicians. He leads the electric band Blues Bruddahs, as well as the acoustic blues & roots band Jook Jam.Facebook – More Posts [...]
ed russakoff
hey john. thanks for the kind words in your article. you forgot to mention the other fine harp player at the festival, namely yourself. i guess modesty forbids! i look forward to meeting you again. take care, ed
Thomas Colvin
Ed, thanks for commenting on the Cebu Guitar Fest. I look forward to meeting you someday. A some point we will be holding an organizational meeting for a Philippine Harmonica Festival. Maybe you could come up to Manila for that event.
Tom
Thomas “Tomcat” Colvin
http://www.bluesasianetwork.com
ed russakoff
hi tom. too bad we didn’t meet in cebu. yes, of course i’d be very happy to attend the philippine harmonica festival. please keep me up to date on the the details. bye for now, ed
If you go to the popular outdoor Legaspi Sunday Market in Makati, Philippines, you will certainly hear a group of ethnic drummers that conIgregates about 10 in the morning. I usually stop by to watch and listen. There’s something fundamental and universal in drum rhythms that draws me to their spot on the globe. Lately, [...]
Continue reading The Blues Is A Feeling: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
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Blues Duo Plays Fridays at Drifters Bar in Cebu | Blues Asia Network 1:16 am on February 24, 2011 Permalink |
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