Corky Siegel's Harmonica Showmanship

#1

I though y’all might enjoy seeing this performance of Chicago harmonica legend Corky Siegel. Can’t believe I’d never heard of this cat before a few weeks ago when @rondiecks turned me onto him.

One thing I’m loving about Corky, he’s a great example of how we each have our unique set of gifts and talents that makes us who we are. Who else is composing music for chamber and orchestra and harmonica? I mean this video is pretty bluesy stuff, but if you enjoy classical music, check out his music on Spotify.

What a unique dude. Another thing this video highlights is the power of showmanship. An audience isn’t moved only by what you play, but by how you dress, how you carry yourself on stage, what your energy and antics are, how you interact with other musicians. These all fit into the important category of showmanship. A category that Mr. Siegel recognizes and has mastered, as evidenced in this video, in my opinion.

What do y’all think?

Aloha,
Luke

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#2

I too am glad that @rondiecks brought up Corky Siegel !! I remember seeing and hearing him play back in the 1970s in the Chicago area and he was terrific. Unfortunately I forgot all about him as I concentrated on my studies, my flute playing and my girl friends (not necessarily in that order). :laughing:

Now that I also play the harmonica I can appreciate even more what Corky has done on the harmonica! :point_left:

Regards,
– Slim :sunglasses:

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#3

Corky is also a gifted pianist. I met him after a concert and he asked me"think I still got it. I’m 75" ( He’s now 78) Of course I said yes you still got it Corky.
See play harmonica and stay young. I just turned 76.
A similar player is Howard Levy considered by some the best all around player especially jazz and classical. I read that Howard is also responsible for overblowing. Howard played with Bella Fleck who does magic with a banjo. A book I read is Harmonica Masters by Marge Goldstein covering mostly pop and blues players.Well worth the read.

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#4

His energy and interaction are indeed amazing!

How cool is it that all we really need to enjoy the harmonica is to literally have another breath…

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#5

Well said Bobby! Well said.

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#6

Yeah, I’d have been surprised if Corky wasn’t a great pianist based on his compositions. Howard Levy also is an accomplished pianist, and yes you are correct his is probably the foremost pioneer of overblows and overbends and an absolute MONSTER harmonica player jazz, classical…But he can kill the blues too! I first fell in love with his playing when I happened upon the Bela Fleck album Flight of the Cosmic Hippo back in the 90’s.
One of my favorite songs from his 2009 release Tonight and Tomorrow is the song Flunky Jazz which you can hear on Spotify here.

Hey I can’t seem to find Harmonica Masters by Marge Goldstein anywhere. Can you please double-check that’s the title?

Thanks again for sharing!

Aloha,
Luke

#7

Ha! Nice. So when you saw him it was probably with the Siegel-Schwall Band I’m guessing? Before he got into the classical thing?

Rock on,
Luke

#8

Exactly, @Luke, it was with the Siegel-Schwall Band. I saw them a number of times and they were always on fire! :star_struck:

And Howard Levy is indeed a MONSTER who seems to never stop expanding and improving. His videos are great but the tabs don’t help me much – way over my level of skill :roll_eyes: but it is still fun to see what it is that he’s doing! :face_with_monocle: Maybe a little bit of it will slip into my trick bag? :thinking: :slightly_smiling_face:

Regards,
– Slim

#9

HellYea
Hes jammin

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#10

HA! Right on Allan. Glad you dug it.
Rock on,
Luke

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#11

It’s Masters of the Harmonica by Margie Goldsmith. I thought sent it earlier but maybe not