Best bluesfolks in chromatic positions beyond 3rd
Winslow:
While this might be better suited for the Blues Chromatic forum, I figured I'd first ask the expert:
In your opinion, who are the greatest bluesmen and blueswomen who have performed and/or recorded on chromatic in positions other than 3rd? I know that folks such as Mark Hummel and "Big Harp George" Bisharat have done great stuff using the C chromatic in variious keys other than either C or D (or Db/Eb with the button in the whole time), and I've been enjoying studying Gary Smith's great recording of "Twilight Time" (not actually a blues song, but who's to say no to a The Platters hit?), where he plays in C# (or Db if you're from the Southern Hemisphere) on the C chromatic.
If one is on the bandstand with only a C chromatic, and the bandleader calls for a blues in E, there are a ton of cool things a harpster can play - but it takes a little experience, and familiarity with both various keys, and with the harmonica layout itself.
Inquiring people want to know.
Thanks!
Winslow:
Excellent mention of Bill Barrett. I love the way he plays trad, Gypsy and straight-ahead jazz on the harmonica. A real inspiration to blues harmonica players like me who also like jazz, and wish we could up our harmonica game.
And did you see the New York Times review of the new Prime Video series, "A Very British Scandal"? About the Duchess of Argyll, AKA the "Dirty Duchess"? I went down a hyperlink rabbit hole to find a Scottish news story about her funeral in 1993. Mentioned in it was that "Mr." Larry Adler had played harmonica at both her 1931 wedding to the Duke of Argyll, and at her funeral. (At the latter, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Harmonica Concerto. Adler was something else. A musical contemporary of (and performer of pieces by, or with) folks on the muscial timeline from Vaughan Williams and Darius Milhaud, up through Kate Bush and Sting.
I'm also the main host for the Blues Chromatic section, so you can certainly get my attention posting there.
George “Harmonica” Smith sometimes played in C position, and Paul deLay played in first and second positions on chromatic.
Norton Buffalo always played in second position, and had 12-hole chromatics in a variety of keys, and also had a 16-hole CBh 2016 tuned down from C to A, which he used to play in E.
Bill Barrett isn’t a standard blues player, but I think he can be counted nonetheless. He plays in a wide variety of keys on a C chromatic, with a lot of two-note harmonies that he finds and fits.
Larry Adler could play very bluesy when he wanted to, and played in all keys.