How it started
My son was given a blues harp for his fourth birthday.  He wasn't interested in it so I
had a go.  I fell in the love the pesky little instrument on the spot.  Without much effort
I could play simple melodies like Oh Susanna and When The Saints...

I remember hearing Sonny Terry on a recording and getting frustrated that I couldn't
make my harmonica sound like his.  I saw an ad for blues harp lessons and went along.  A
handsome young man by the name of Juzzie Smith (check him out!), greeted me with a
big smile and taught me a thing or three to help me learn to play the blues!  I was not a
very conscientious student but remembered everything he said.  He was very patient as
I took my time getting the hang of bending the notes, playing octaves, rhythm playing
etc.  

Influences
I was very lucky to have Juzzie as my teacher.  He was so enthusiastic and he remains to
this day to be a great inspiration.

I received a gift one day - it was a Charlie Musselwhite CD In My Time.  Then I set about
trying to play like Charlie!  I met him once, at Tilley's Divine Cafe, after his show.  What a
charming man!  At that time I had learnt how to play a very rudimentary version of When
It Rains It Pours.

Then I saw The Backsliders for the first time, and was blown away by Jim Conway's
playing.  I started trying to play like Jim.  And on it went, with Chris Wilson, Rod Piazza,
Sonny Boy Williamson and other greats.

These days I don't try to play like anyone.  I just play.
singer   |   songwriter   |   blues harp player   |   breast cancer survivor
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