Skip's Harp Site: Harmonica Homepage
Chicago is my sweet home; I'm a long-time recovered New Yorker. My teaching and playing are mostly at the Old Town School of Folk Music but also elsewhere in the Midwest. In 2007 Fran (my wife) and I were members of the Hump Night Thumpers when we won the 25th annual Battle of the Jug Bands in Minneapolis (see details elsewhere on the site!) Along with other former Thumpers, we now play with Strictly Jug Nuts. The latter group was proud in November 2009 to win the 2nd Annual Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands. Yipee! During 2010 Strictly Jug Nuts served as reigning champs; we hosted the Chicago battle.
The great Chicago performers of the past and present are my ongoing inspiration. That includes the blues greats, and also the folks who play gospel, Irish, swing, country, jug-band music: most everything. I love it all. I also teach autoharp -- my first instrument! (Ringing autoharp harmonies offset the screaming blues.) Links to my classes beginning 2-28-11:
Country Classics for Beginners
As a Chicagoan, I revel in our people, our neighborhoods, our cultures, our music. I especially enjoy Chicago hot dog stands and the tradition of the Chicago hot dog. (I love hot dog conversations and will readily swap recommendations).
If after lthis visit you think, "hey, maybe learning some harp (or more harp) would be fun," feel free to email me (NOT at the above address, but skiplandt @sbcglobal.net). Or give me a call; we can talk about it: I'm in the phonebook.
Skip
To hear my harp playing, go the music section of this site. The wonderful MK Ness is singing the Frankie and Johnny story with my harp behind her. The track was recorded for the Old Town School Songbook Project. The guitar is Garth Taylor, backed by Matt Dressel (bass) and Tom Shay (percussion). Recording was done by John Abbey. I've also posted some other odds and ends there.
