Harmonica Collective 2019
Announcing the 2019 Harmonica Collective – a three-day intensive harmonica workshop for the intermediate-to-advanced harmonica enthusiast who wishes to take his or her playing to another level of achievement. This year's Collective will be held in Sanford, Florida (a suburb of Orlando) at The Alley, Central Florida's premier blues venue.
Joining founders Winslow Yerxa and Jason Ricci are three additional Expert Guides.
- Jason Ricci is a Grammy Award winning musician who has turned the harmonica world upside down with his virtuosic playing, soul-searing songs and out-in-the-open battles with bipolar disorder and addiction. His generosity and enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge and love of music is contagious, and he conveys it with humor, clarity, and passion.
- Winslow Yerxa is the author of the books Harmonica For Dummies (now translated into four languages) and Blues Harmonica For Dummies. He’s widely known as both a fine and original harmonica player in several styles and an expert on all aspects of harmonica playing.
- Jerry Portnoy cut his blues teeth on Chicago’s legendary Maxwell Street, and toured and recorded with Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. We’re honored to have this blues legend and master harmonica teacher at the Harmonica Collective this year. In addition to teaching, Jerry will do an in-depth interview with Jason Ricci and participate in a panel discussion with the other Expert Guides.
- James Conway grew up deeply imbued in both Irish traditional music and the blues. From his home base in Chicago he performs (including a weekly train ride jam), records, and teaches. His phenomenal command of fast Irish tunes combines with a unique understanding of blues harmonica to produce a fascinating approach to music, which he communicates with clarity.
- Catriona Sturton, a former student of Jason Ricci, has toured the US, Japan, Canada, Italy, and Germany from her home base in Ottawa, Canada, accompanying her songs with harmonica, guitar, and violin. An road-toughened independent performer whose songs have inspired graphic novels and a major motion picture, she is also a patient and insightful teacher who will present classes and will also coach individual players in conjunction with event producer Tom Watson.
Tom Halchak of Blue Moon Harmonicas will give a talk on harmonica customization and repair, and Lone Wolf Blues, maker of amplifiers, effects, and the Jason Ricci signature microphone, will be represented as well.
In addition to classes and individual coaching, you can also jam with Jason’s sizzling New Orleans band, the Bad Kind, on Saturday afternoon. Your ticket price includes a continental breakfast and full luncheon daily.
To register, visit our Eventbrite page.
For nearby hotel and hostel accommodations, try searching here.
