When it comes to blues harmonica, it’s all or nothing at all. In the wrong hands, the harp becomes a weapon of mass distraction, a screeching annoyance that can completely destroy any song. But, as ...

Among the harmonica’s many wonderful and unique traits, there is this: You have to really suck to be good at it. As one of America’s finest and busiest harmonica players, Denver’s Ronnie Shellist ...

Since 2005 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in ...

Phillips released two singles from Cotton, “Straighten Up Baby” in 1953 and “Cotton Crop Blues” the following year. Cotton was still a teenager working as a regular on the Memphis music scene when ...

Bill Tarsha and the Rocket 88s led the 18th annual blues harmonica blowout last week at the Rhythm Room. More than 35 blues harmonica players performed. Tarsha and his band opened with a couple tunes.

Most musical instruments are not primarily associated with one particular style of music, especially in these days of cross-cultural collaborative adventures. Sure, notable harmonica artists can be ...

When it comes to music, you only need one instrument. Members of the Rubber Capital Harmonica Club believe that. In fact, they are so devoted to the music of that one instrument that have structured ...

Months after his aphasia diagnosis, Bruce Willis found good company in a harmonica and musician Derek Richard Thomas. On Monday, wife Emma Heming Willis shared an Instagram video of the "Die Hard" ...

ASPEN ” John Popper has two theories about how the harmonica became his instrument of choice. The first: the harmonica was easy to play. This theory holds water. The way the harmonica’s reeds are ...

John Popper recalls the moments after he received his first harmonica for his 14th birthday. “It was a Hohner and I read the little poem that came with it that said, ‘Take a Hohner with pride … it ...

Blues harmonica virtuoso and onetime Muddy Waters sideman James Cotton died on Thursday at a medical center in Austin of pneumonia. He was 81. A rep for the musician confirmed his death. Cotton, who ...

Austin, Texas, September 24-- Gary Primich, considered by many to be one of the greatest harmonica players in the world, passed away suddenly on September 23rd. Not only is this the loss of a ...