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Harmonicas de France Festival

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As indicated in our "Calendar" column, the yearly Festival "Harmonicas de France" will take place in the city of Montlhéry, 91310 France, not very far from Paris (34kms).

The programme includes :

- welcome concert diner on Friday

- on Saturday, Harmonica Championship in the Cultural Center Michel Spiral, and open stages, workshops, etc.

- International Concert on Saturday night (8,15pm) :
Featuring : Alexandre Thollon and Caroline Bugala (violon), Cadijo & the Multicats Trio.

Information, reservations : (33)4.68.68.03.83 http://www.harmonicasdefrance.org
City website :
http://www.villemontlhery.fr/rubrique.php?id_rubrique=3
(hotels reservations, etc.)
Published April 15th 2009

Christmas Harmo-Gifts
A few suggestions...

On Hohner's side: the box "Bob Dylan Signature Series", the ultimate collaboration with a legend. Over 150 years of expert skill and the art of Bob Dylan. Generally available in instruments music stores. Information: http://www.hohnerusa.com/bobdylan.html

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On I.L.D. Records side: this label is specialized in Harmonica Legends Albums, such as Borrah Minevitch, Claude Garden (http://www.jeanlabre.com/english/article.php?id=4), Jerry Murad, the Raisner Trio (http://www.jeanlabre.com/english/article.php?id=28), the french Hotvill's Trio, etc. An opportunity for all generations to discover or rediscover the deep roots of our harmonica culture. Let's pay tribute to this label for the important place given to our instrument in its catalogue.
Information: http://www.ILD.TM.FR & (33)1.46.03.40.68

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If you are interested in french comics publications (for people speaking fluently french) may I suggest you the comic book "Harmonica". The author is Joann Sfar, the publisher "L'Association", @L'Association , a frenzied cocktail of parisian humour.

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As far as I am concerned I have a particular weakness for the "Gasoline Alley's" US comics of my friend Jim Scancarelli... Hello Jim !

Good shopping and Merry Christmas to all of you

Jean Labre

Photos : Hohner, I.L.D, l'Association
Published December 10th 2008

Tribute to John Walton

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John, Robert,Butler Walton, I.H.O. (International Harmonica Organization) president, died away on the 16th of May 2002*. People have in memory this atypical and talented harmonica player, also illusionist and magician, always running around the world, like a globe trotter. He left behind him the image of a warm and unifier gentleman.
He very often travelled accompagnied by his wife, Jeannette, talented pianist, and by their two sons, Channing and Lance also pianists and harmonica players.
They created the "The Harmonicaires", a quatuor, symbol of a united family, which encountered a great success at the end of the last century.
This summer, Channing pays tribute to his father by creating a website named : http://web.me.com/channingwalton/John_Robert_Butler_Walton/
recounting the exceptional career of a man who has made so much for the cause of our instrument.

* Pete Pedersen, John's great friend, passed away on the eve, the 15th of May 2002.

(Photo: Jeannette Walton)
Published September 14th 2008

Honeymoon France-Japan

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On the 30th of August 2008, the japanese pianist and harmonica player Nami Miyata married the french pianist Yves Pelras, her partner in their classical four hands piano concerts. It took place in the Saint Germain d'Auxerre church, Gazeran, France 78120.
For the circumstances two hands only were needed for the traditional exchange of rings.
Wonderful marriage of two cultures said to be very different, but being in close harmony when music is there.
Our best wishes of happiness to this so nice couple.

(Photo: Philippe Delbourg)
Published September 7th 2008

Sebastien Charlier Diatonic Method

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« Je débute... L'harmonica Diatonique »: here is a modern educative method, "Je débute... l'harmonica diatonique" (I'm beginning to play diatonic). It has the merit to tackle teaching the Richter diatonic. The educational concept is based on a progressive discovery of the instrument by means of following a defined programme : breathing regulation, melodic ways of playing, rythmn, chords, sound effects.

A CD is enclosed in the book including the underscores of all the exercises and of successful tunes as : "Georgia on my Mind" (Ray Charles), "English Man in New York" (Sting), "The Good The Bad and The Ugly" (Morricone), "L'Irlandaise" (Didier Lockwood"), etc. Hits that instantly make you want to play them. Sebastien offers us a simple way to practise easily the Richter gymnastics. This method is concise, precise... it gives you the envy to get it and play !

A pocket edition of this method is available : "Method in the Pocket" (without CD). This pocket edition volontary contents only the basic elements necessary to discover the instrument. These books are published by "Hit Diffusion" http://www.editions-hit-diffusion.fr

For more information, have a look at the Sebastien Charlier website : http://www.sebcharlier.com , to discover the Sebastien current events like his concerts with Keith B. Brown, etc.

(Photos :Michal Rosinski, Marc Rouvé, Hohner, conception : Hit Diffusion)
Published July 7th 2008

"Les Harmonicas de France" Orchestra in Russia

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European « Eurochestries » festivals are welcoming every year symphonic orchestras as well as young people choirs of a very high level, coming from Europe and from everywhere around the world : France, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Russia, China, Quebec, etc.

These festivals are an opportunity to organize international cultural meetings between composers, musicians and orchestra conductors.

This year, harmonica is honoured in the Eurochestries meetings. The iinstrument is represented by Les Harmonicas de France orchestra which is also going to take part in a european tour in Russia (have a look to our "calendar" information).

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Les Harmonica de France includes 22 harmonica players (18 chromatics, 2 chords and 2 bass). The main purpose of this orchestra is to federate players and so,it includes players coming from everywhere in France. "Eurochestries", and his dynamic founder Claude Revolte, is offering every year numbers of events to satisfy all you could wish.

Scoop: a rumour already announces concerts next year in Quebec, Canada.

Info :
http://www.eurochestries.eu

(Photo: Les Harmonicas de France Orchestra in la Chapelle St André de Rézé)
Published July 1st 2008

45th SPAH Convention USA

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This convention is going to take place in Saint Louis, Missouri State, from the 12th to the 16th of August.
The SPAH (Society for the Preservation an Advancement of the Harmonica) was born in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan state. It is counting today 3000 members from all over the world. It federates more than 40 associations in the USA, which makes it quite unique.
Every year, everybody meets there at this american musical "rendez-vous": concerts, open stages, workshops, conferences, excursions, closing diner and more will be offered to you, to your liking.
Information is at your disposal at: http://www.spah.org.
We wish a great success, and a Happy Birthday, to this convention.
Published June 21st 2008

"Armos" Ensemble Concert at "La Comedia"

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Following the success of the last year, the parisian theater "La Comedia" presents a concert with the "Armos" ensemble* and his guests: Johnny Swinger, Giovanni Volini (Italy), Stil, Michel Sanchez, and the french/japanese Trio "Les Parisiens" (Nami Miyata, Jean Labre, Maurice Bailly).
Let's pay tribute to this place which is one of the rare theater where harmonica is welcome.
Theater "La Comedia" : 6, impasse Lamier 75012 Paris. Reservation : (33)1.43.67.20.47. & & entrance fee: 15€, http://www.la-comedia.com

*The "Armos" ensemble is composed of : Dominique Lannes, Gérard Margnoux, Pierre Rochat, Charles Le Croller, Jean Pierre Auger.
dominique.lannes@wanadoo.fr
Published June 11th 2008

Perfume from Far East CD

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We are accustomed to listening to a lot of records produced by the western part of the world, often ignorant of music coming from far off countries, far off cultures.

We have today an opportunity to discover the traditionnal folk music from Mrs. Butterffy country. A traditional and sensitive music plaid "a cappella" by Nami Miyata with japanese tremolo harmonicas (majors, minors and pentatonics "Tombo"), with this rich harmonic range which characterizes the japanese make.

It's also an opportunity to discover Nami Miyata, not only talented harmonica player (chromatic and tremolo diatonic...) but also talented pianist.

Like a postcard, she is sending us a remarkable live performance, named " Un Tremolo à Paris ", with as a delicate ending, a parisian waltz " La rue Mouffetard ", dedicated to her western harmonica friends, particulary her parisian friends. The traditional music arrangements are signed by Hidero Sato and Juko Saito, legendary japanese tremolo harmonica players.

Contact:

(Photo and cover: Nami Miyata)
Published May 20th 2008

Tokyo, April 2008, Harmonica Rendez-vous

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April is a traditional cultural month in Japan, "Sakura" (cherry trees) celebration and the "Golden Week" included. This month offers also every year several harmonica concerts.

The program this year in Tokyo is :

- Tuesday April 22nd : an evening jazz session in the Nakano "Drum Club", with the singer Satsuki Ito and Jean Labre.

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- Saturday 26th : Ladies'concert in the Yakuruto Hall in memorie of Hidero Sato, featuring : Mitsue Kusunoki and Hiromi Terasawa.
Sunday 27th : AJHF ("All Japan Harmonica Federation") Convention with an evening concert, guest Jean Labre.

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- Monday 28th  : International Concert at the Katsushika Symphonie Hills, featuring Joe Powers (USA) and Jean Labre.

- Monday May 5th : Ladies'concert at the Session Suginami Hall, featuring : "Comment Allez-vous" Trio (Nami Miyata, Reina Oba, Aya Kurada).

For more information, click on our calendar page.
Published March 28th 2008

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