Harmonicast with Bob Kessler

Peter Madcat Ruth [http://www.madcatmusic.net/] is a Grammy Award-winning virtuoso harmonica player who draws from a wide range of styles and creates his own unique sound. He's also this year's special guest at the Harmonica Hoedown at Martyrs' in Chicago on March 13th [http://martyrslive.com/]. We talk about taking lessons from Big Walter Horton, his years performing with jazz legend Dave Brubeck, how he incorporates humor into his music and his current projects with The Madcat Midnight Blues Journey, Chris Brubeck's Triple Play and his solo performances.

Chromatic harmonica player Grégoire Maret [http://www.gregoiremaret.com/] hails from Switzerland, grew up in a musical household and at age 17 took the advice of legendary player Toots Thielemans which shaped his approach to the instrument ever since. He went on to record and tour with Jacky Terrasson, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Steve Coleman, Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves and many more. We caught up with him backstage in Chicago where he was performing with the Monk'estra.

Harmonicast is back! Ross Garren, somewhat like Tommy Morgan before him has become the go-to guy for recording sessions for albums, singles and soundtracks recorded in Los Angeles. That's just part of the story. As a middle-schooler he was encouraged by the legendary Toots Thielemans, he's produced albums, plays keyboards and has several interesting projects in the pipeline includingan album with guitarist Andre LaFosse [http://www.rossgarren.com/]. I caught up with Ross while he was on the road with singer/songwriter Chelsea Williams. (by the way, if you're curious about what I've been up to during the Harmoncast hiatus, check out Margaret Larkin's interview on her podcast Radio Girl [http://podcast.radiogirl.us/2017/07/bob-kessler-radio-and-more.html].)

Martin Lang [http://www.malharmonica.com/] has backed up Chicago blues icons for decades. He first learned what it takes to be a real-deal player by spending time with blues masters on the West and South Sides of the city. He talks about what he learned by having contact with these great blues artists, how its essential to have "weight" as harmonica player in both soloing and accompanying others, and his overall blues philosophy.  TheKickstarter campaign [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/842378407/get-my-ass-to-nashville]to get me to Nashville to interview three of the greats: Charlie McCoy, Buddy Greene and Jelly Roll Johnson is well on its way to being funded. However, there's just a few days left! Contributing $10 or more is the only way to get this exclusive content and $25 contributions get you a Harmonicast coffee mug!

Phil Alvin, in addition to being harmonica player, is an incredible singer, advanced set theorist and great storyteller. His powerful voice was first heard by much of the public in the Blasters, a band he and his brother Dave Alvin founded in the late 70s. This, after years of tutelage performing alongside Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Lee Allen and other musical greats Dave and Phil met while growing up in Downey, California. Phil talks about taking harmonica lessons from Sonny Terry, his years of study in mathematics, his latest duo albumsCommon Ground [http://www.davealvin.net/]andLost Time [http://www.davealvin.net/]with his brother and their potential follow-up recordings. This is also week 2 of theKickstarter campaign [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/842378407/get-my-ass-to-nashville]to get me to Nashville to interview three of the greats: Charlie McCoy, Buddy Greene and Jelly Roll Johnson. Contributing $10 or more is the only way to get this exclusive content and $25 contributions get you a Harmonicast coffee mug!