Winslow Yerxa

Winslow Yerxa is a harmonica player, performer, author, inventor, and teacher centered in San Francisco, California. His lifelong quest to understand the harmonica (and help others do the same) began early on, when he couldn't find a teacher and had to figure everything out the hard way. Winslow has authored the books Harmonica For Dummies and Blues Harmonica For Dummies and is a forum expert here are BluesHarmonica.com. Other notable writing activities include publishing the magazine HIP (Harmonica Information Press), transcribing John Popper's harmonica solos for publication, contributing to Howard Levy's “Out of the Box” instructional DVD and the Howard Levy Harmonica School, as well as writing a regular column for Mel Bay's online eZine HarmonicaSessions.com. As a performer, Winslow plays nearly every type of harmonica, in addition to composing, arranging and conducting. Currently he performs with the San Francisco Harmonica Ensemble, in a duo with violinist Tuula Tossavainen, and small acoustic ensembles. Winslow currently teaches at the Jazzschool in Berkeley, California and for the semi-annual gatherings of the Harmonica Collective. He has also taught at David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclass and Jon Gindick's Harmonica Jam Camp. Winslow is currently president of SPAH (the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica). This interview was held at School of the Blues in San Jose California in January of 2014.