Thanks for playing Happy Birthday on Thursday evening out at the Farm. You are so gracious and approachable. You made our evening. We look forward to listening to your music. Your newest fan!!
First time I saw Howard with the Flecktones, as if it wasn't enough that he could play chromatic on a diatonic harp, but to do it while playing piano at the same time without a harmonica rack, was amazing. Parlor tricks and virtuosity are one thing, but doing all that and remaining musical is a real feat. And he couldn't be a nicer guy.
I don't think people realise what a virtuoso this guy is! Considering the limitations of a simple diatonic instrument...he manages to make it not just make it sit up and do tricks, but sing beautifully!
What an incredibly natural musician this man is and always has been!! An innovator and stylist!! Give him an instrument and he'll play it excellently after a short while.
I saw him a few days ago at St. Mark Presbyterian church in Rockville Md and he was unfuckingbelieveable...he played better than he has in any of the videos I've found of him I think.
me too rogue, would love to see him with the Flecktones permanantely. Imagine Coffin and Levy together, the sax complementing the harmonica, not to mention his piano mastery the Flecktones need today.
Ya, he's the best. He invented (or perfected) a technique known as overblowing where you can play all the notes of the chromatic on the diatonic. Since then everyone has been trying to figure it out. That's the way he is able to get that great expressive tone.
I love Toots, but I was never terribly fond of the "tinny" sound of his harp playing. Here is a guy that has the cojones of Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musselwhite and Jimmy Cotton, but plays lines as intricate as Toots. Unf***ingbelievably great player!
He is THE best harmonica player out there
bassmaster947 2 years ago
Thats awesome at 1:39 where he mimics a muted trumpet for a phrase
kevinjb7 2 years ago 3
Howard you're awesome! A virtuoso on diatonic. The master!
PButler49 2 years ago
Hi Harvy
Thanks for playing Happy Birthday on Thursday evening out at the Farm. You are so gracious and approachable. You made our evening. We look forward to listening to your music. Your newest fan!!
angelovichd 3 years ago
How do you mean?
omradiocom 3 years ago
Howard replied to my email today,
I play Jazz Chromatic and am just about to release a Cd with a whole host of UK Jazz masters on it including legend Humphrey Lyttelton.
Having support from a guy as good as Howard is great.
Thanks Howard.
You are a blues harp master.
Barry Watson.
Westerham, Kent.
Barrybwm 3 years ago
Howard is easily one of the nicest people I've ever met, and that he's a master player just is icing on the cake. He's a mensch.
omradiocom 3 years ago
Hi
Are you the Lady who plays lovely Violyn?
I have a friend from Miami who plays wonderful Violin.
Barry.
Barrybwm 3 years ago
Unglaublich! Besser geht's nicht!
brakenbergblues 3 years ago
The man is great! No idea what he's doing to the harp, but it sounds incredible!!
cuttingheads 3 years ago
First time I saw Howard with the Flecktones, as if it wasn't enough that he could play chromatic on a diatonic harp, but to do it while playing piano at the same time without a harmonica rack, was amazing. Parlor tricks and virtuosity are one thing, but doing all that and remaining musical is a real feat. And he couldn't be a nicer guy.
misterdecibel 3 years ago
I don't think people realise what a virtuoso this guy is! Considering the limitations of a simple diatonic instrument...he manages to make it not just make it sit up and do tricks, but sing beautifully!
pianosteel 3 years ago 2
What an incredibly natural musician this man is and always has been!! An innovator and stylist!! Give him an instrument and he'll play it excellently after a short while.
wetsock4u 3 years ago
I judged the International Harmonica Festival in Memphis back in the early 90's. Or maybe it was late 80s.
Howard told me how he does it. He cheats. *S*
randalbyrd 3 years ago
I saw him a few days ago at St. Mark Presbyterian church in Rockville Md and he was unfuckingbelieveable...he played better than he has in any of the videos I've found of him I think.
woundedplatypus 3 years ago
This is jazz right?
ranchosdancingbull 4 years ago
grandissimo!
dreamtommino 4 years ago
My first time hearing his playing and it's terrific! He changes styles and tone color instantly. Very nice!
Drworm89 4 years ago 5
amazing... I wish I could learn to play like that... I can't even do half that stuff... =P
ledzep629 4 years ago
@ledzep629 maybe you can... don't doubt yourself!
hlevyworldharmonica 7 months ago
Just attended Howard's harmonica master class workshop at the Halifax Jazz Festival today.
Watching him play the Blue Monk head in Bb on a C diatonic - harmonized in sixths, mind you - was mind-blowing.
rottenhubert 4 years ago
Actually Howard is playing with Fleck and crew:
July 5, 2007
7:00 pm
Howard with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones
Montreal Jazz Festival
Montreal, Canada
omradiocom 4 years ago
I so wish that Howard would join back up with the Flecktones
rogue196932 4 years ago
me too rogue, would love to see him with the Flecktones permanantely. Imagine Coffin and Levy together, the sax complementing the harmonica, not to mention his piano mastery the Flecktones need today.
acroberts25 4 years ago
Ya, he's the best. He invented (or perfected) a technique known as overblowing where you can play all the notes of the chromatic on the diatonic. Since then everyone has been trying to figure it out. That's the way he is able to get that great expressive tone.
raltis 4 years ago 2
I love Toots, but I was never terribly fond of the "tinny" sound of his harp playing. Here is a guy that has the cojones of Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musselwhite and Jimmy Cotton, but plays lines as intricate as Toots. Unf***ingbelievably great player!
donnellobrien 4 years ago
ET !
gaitagroove 4 years ago
como le hace??? es el mejor !!
radiotacea 4 years ago
Yes! With the cup!
blogward 4 years ago
wow thats awesome, im no harmonica player, but i've never ever seen harmonica played this well in a jazz (possibly gypsy-jazz) style. Very cool
katanaswordfish 4 years ago
fantastic!
miguelcz 5 years ago
the best !!!
harpgmx 5 years ago