Mitch Kashmar Interview

A Long Beach California native, Mitch was directly influenced by West Coast blues harmonica legends George “Harmonica” Smith, Kim Wilson, William Clarke and Rod Piazza. I first became aware of his work through William Clarke in one of my favorite blues harmonica instrumental duets “Horn of Plenty” on his release “The Pontiax, 100 Miles To Go” and soon after a live performance at the JJ’s Blues Festival in San Jose, California. His tone, smooth vibrato and truly stellar harmonica playing in all three positions and the chromatic harmonica, make him one of my favorite players of all time. This interview was held in August of 2012 in Dallas, Texas.

Videos Include: Mitch’s Early Years, Part 1; Mitch’s Early Years, Part 2; Mitch’s Recordings; Mitch’s Recommended Listening; Mitch on Vocals; Running Away from Harp Players; Mitch’s Approach to Improvising; Mitch on Chromatic Harmonica; How Mitch Keeps Interest in a Performance; Mitch on Accompaniment Playing; Mitch on 3rd Position; Mitch on 1st Position, Vibrato and Blow Bends; Mitch on Tongue Blocking; Mitch on Bending; How Music Theory has Helped Mitch’s Playing; Working the High End of the Harmonica; Mitch on Minor Playing; How Mitch Approaches Non-12 Bar Blues; Mitch’s Equipment; What Mitch Likes to Hear in other Harmonica Players; Where to Hear Mitch; Closing