Hermine Duerloo, Laurent Maur and Alexandre Piret join me on episode 150, for a retrospective on the great Toots Thielemans.

Toots was born in 1922 to humble beginnings, in Brussels, Belgium, where his parents ran a cafe. His first instrument was an accordion, which he started playing at age three and showed great promise. He took up guitar and the chromatic harmonica around the age of sixteen. He then went on to tour Europe with Benny Goodman in 1950 before moving to the US in 1951 where landed a seat in the George Shearing Quintet, mainly as a guitar player, but also playing some songs on chromatic.

Toots made his first solo albums from the late 1950s, including the iconic Man Bites Harmonica. From the 1960s Toots was in great demand as a session musician, recording with many giants of the music industry, such as Bill Evans, Paul Simon and Billy Joel. He also made some notable musical collaborations, including with Jaco Pastorius and Quincy Jones, and recorded on numerous film and tv scores, such as Midnight Cowboy and Sesame Street.

Toots had such a long and glorious career that it’s hard to do it justice, but this episode attempts to highlight some of the key moments from the undisputed giant of the chromatic harmonica, and one who has inspired pretty much every chromatic player that has followed.

Links:

Compilation of interviews with Toots put together by a Belgian DJ Nico Kanakaris: https://www.mixcloud.com/bluenote71/toots-thielemans-100/

Articles on Toots from Roger Trobridge's The Archivist site: http://www.the-archivist.co.uk/tag/toots-thielemans/

Videos:

The story of Toots Thielemans by Steven De Bruyn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar7CnZS0m0k

With Paul Simon in 1975: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8v2j4lJJZY&list=RDq8v2j4lJJZY

With Billy Joel in 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Te0DB86-wY&list=RD6Te0DB86-wY

Three Views of a Secret live with Jaco Pastorius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBhoDaS5SKQ&list=RDyBhoDaS5SKQ

Toots Thielemans 100th Anniversary Official Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4hqApO5BH8

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Episode 149 is the third compilation of the ten minute question answers from episode 112 to episode 148.

Not every episode had a ten minute question, as there’s been quite a lot of retrospective episodes in this batch. So there are 27 episodes covered here.

I hope you enjoy listening back to this collection as much as I did putting it together. And if you if you missed any of the episodes included then be sure to check them out.

I’ll introduce each person before they respond to the question: “if you had 10 minutes to practise, what would you spend that ten minutes doing”.

Links:

MillionPodcasts Top 100 Music Interview Podcasts: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/music-interview-podcasts/

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Hank Shreve joins me on episode 148.

Hank started playing harmonica at age eight, and that has remained his true love despite learning various other instruments. He explains how his drumming background shapes the rhythmic feel of his harmonica playing, and how blues opened the door to everything from Latin influences to funk. Hank reflects on opening for Paul DeLay, working with Curtis Salgado, leading The Hank Shreve Band with his father Bill on bass, and broadening his musical output across albums like Loosen Up, Trouble, and That Way. He also discusses teaching at festivals, exploring jazz standards, winning several music awards, and the importance of always making the audience want to dance.

Links:

The Hank Shreve Band: https://www.hankshreveband.com/

Howard Levy’s Rhythms of The Breath tuition books: https://levyland.com/book-rhythms-of-the-breath

Zack Pomerleau playing rack harmonica with drums and guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke3XUN8agbA

Hank's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hank.shreve

The Hank Shreve Band Band Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HankShreveBand/

Music Masters Teaching Studio: https://www.musicmastersstudio.com/teacher-roster/hank-shreve-guitar-and-drum-lessons-eugene/

Videos:

Hank’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/hankshreve

Mike Moothart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6ZxhIU_es&list=RDLs6ZxhIU_es

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Santiago Alvarez joins me on episode 147.

Santiago is a chromatic player from Buenos Aires, who has dedicated himself to the folk traditions of Argentina, including writing a thesis on the history of the Argentine chromatic harmonica under the guidance of his mentor Franco Luciani.

Specialising in tango, he explores the close musical relationship between the chromatic harmonica and the bandoneon. Santiago has recorded with numerous Argentine artists, released his own album in 2019, performs widely across Latin America and Europe, and teaches internationally, including recently at The World Harmonica Championships at Trossingen in 2025. He has also created an online harmonica course for Argentine music.

Links:

Contact Santiago at: armonicasantiago@gmail.com

Santiago’s Argentine Harmonica Course: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BiBYGXPf3/

Santiago's thesis on Argentine chromatic harmonica: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1V_gnxR5abozV8DMCgDchYZvqtzzqxsjf

Profile on World Harmonica Festival website: https://worldharmonicafestival.de/artist-profile-santiago-alvarez/

Harmonica FEN festival profile: https://harmonica-fen-festival.com/artist/santiago-alvarez/

Videos:

Santiago’s Argentine Harmonica Course teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUSki-oljnI&lc=UgzKGo6ZbqoJ-RmJhKx4AaABAg

A portrait of Santiago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTClyulss-0

Tanino Duo: https://www.youtube.com/@taninoduo/videos

Celtic Connections with Tanino Duo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuL_-npUniQ

Argento Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKUTufuT1EE&list=RDeKUTufuT1EE

New trio with piano and bass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjG3mjq-yA&list=RDYCjG3mjq-yA

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Ryan Hartt joins me on episode 146.

Ryan is a harmonica player, vocalist and songwriter from New England.

After completing musical studies, he headed to Los Angeles in the late 1990s to immerse himself in the blues scene, learning from West Coast swing heavyweights, including sitting in with Rod Piazza.

He returned to the East Coast in 2000 to form his long-running band Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts, releasing three albums along the way. Ryan has now put out his first solo record, Be About It!, showcasing plenty of expressive harmonica along with his songwriting and vocals.

Links:

Ryan’s website: https://www.ryanhartt.com/

Bandcamp: https://ryanhartt.bandcamp.com/

Videos:

https://www.ryanhartt.com/video/

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Josh King joins me on episode 145.

Josh hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, and picked up his first harmonica at just six years old.
By the time he was eight, he’d found an incredible mentor in the legendary James Cotton, after boldly sneaking into Cotton’s dressing room at a show. That chance encounter turned into a lasting mentorship, with Josh joining Cotton on stage numerous times during his teens.

In 2025, Josh brought his talents to a national audience as a contestant on American Idol. While the spotlight was on his singing and piano playing, it was the harmonica that gave Josh his distinctive edge.
Today, he continues to create and perform new music, keeping the harmonica right at the heart of his sound.

Links:

Josh’s website: https://www.joshkingmusic.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJoshKing

Videos:

House of the Rising Sun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgiGWD9cOWI

Playing Hoochie Coochie Man with James Cotton age 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBAqb_jyn0

Rolling In The Deep on American Idol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-3dWlkR7q0

Hopelessly on American Idol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np8YhQM6kjk&list=RDnp8YhQM6kjk&start_radio=1

Playing with Buddy Guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcV04BKOdc0

Playing with Tommy Emmanuel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G353LZWD52E

Singing US national anthem in 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCLnN1384Y

Support the show

Shane Sager joins me on episode 144.

Shane is from Boston. In his early teens, a hand injury forced him to give up drumming, so he turned to the harmonica and never looked back. At Berklee College of Music he studied drums, as harmonica wasn’t offered, but left after two years to focus fully on the harmonica, studying with top teachers — especially Mike Turk, who helped him shape his chromatic playing.

In his early twenties Shane performed with Sting, later joining his touring band in 2019 and going on to travel the world with him for six years.

He now continues to perform and record with various acts and has a couple of albums of his own coming out soon. An avid writer, he publishes on Substack and released his first harmonica book, Beyond Breath, in 2025, with two more in the pipeline.

Links:

Shane’s Substack: https://shanesager.substack.com/

Shane's book 'Beyond Breath': https://tinyurl.com/5heaf9tw

North Carolina Harp Fest: https://www.ncharmonica.com/

Videos:

Shane’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0_bbSLOzrEFkvFCWiPvWahu0O_PQpoOx&si=XPeZ_DtDCvHdjf1n

Shape of My Heart with Sting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jPFdg4CNss&list=PL0_bbSLOzrEFkvFCWiPvWahu0O_PQpoOx

Playing with Sting at Carnegie Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AW8uIFxeAk&list=PL0_bbSLOzrEFkvFCWiPvWahu0O_PQpoOx

Playing with Sting at Time’s Square: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se1HT8F2c2k

Sting and Stevie Wonder playing ‘Fragile’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPjj8edvjgM

Shane playing at SPAH 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldhIDlz5TeA

Bill Barrett playing Sunny Side of the Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EW85IYO3w

Liam Ward interview with Shane: https://www.learntheharmonica.com/post/sting-harmonica-player-shane-sager-interview

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Kyle Rowland and Kenny Neal join me on episode 143 for a retrospective on James ‘Mr Superharp’ Cotton.

Born in 1935 on the Bonnie Blue plantation in Mississippi, James Cotton received his first harmonica from his mother and learnt by ear, captivated by Sonny Boy Williamson II’s King Biscuit Time broadcasts. From nine to sixteen he lived with Sonny Boy, then played with Howlin’ Wolf before holding the harmonica chair in the Muddy Waters’ band for twelve years. Striking out solo in the late 1960s, he spent the next forty five years releasing acclaimed records and delivering explosive live shows, powered by a tireless work ethic and boundless energy. He earned two Grammy Awards—one with Muddy Waters and one for a solo album—and garnered further nominations.

A lifelong devotee of the blues, he gave back generously in his later years and became like family to those closest to him.

Links:

James Cotton website: http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com

Discography: http://jamescottonsuperharp.com/discography/

Kenny Neal’s website: https://kennynealmusic.com/

Kyle Rowland’s website: https://www.kylerowlandblues.com/

James Cotton and Seydel harmonicas: https://www.seydel1847.de/jamescotton

Videos:

Bonnie Blue documentary trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lidw_qH1D4Q

Seydel James Cotton tribute with lots of photos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQJrI0oioKE&list=RDKQJrI0oioKE

Complete This Order song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e09HOfVB21g&list=RDe09HOfVB21g

Kyle Rowland with The James Cotton Tribute Band in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZfajGFBE74&list=RDLZfajGFBE74

A ten year old Josh King singing Hoochie Coochie Man with Cotton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBAqb_jyn0&list=RDblBAqb_jyn0

The James Cotton Band Live at North Sea Jazz in 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CVvNe0OpZY&list=RD2CVvNe0OpZY

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
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show