Harmonica John Frazer
harmonicajohns@cox.net
(619) 263-6826
www.springharpfest.org

JAMES HARMAN TO HEADLINE                 

11^TH ANNUAL SPRING HARP FEST                                   

         Internationally renowned musician James Harman will headline the 11^th annual Spring Harp Fest on April 3 at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.

         The Harp Fest is a free community event featuring day-long music from professional and amateur harmonica players.  Music will be held from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the park amphitheater.

         The event is being produced by local musicians Harmonica John Frazer and Robb Bower.

          “We are proud to bring another great lineup of musicians to the Harp Fest,” said Frazer, who co-founded the event with Chet Cannon and Budd Willis in 2000.  “People who attend can expect to delight in our Unknown Player competition as well as hear some of the best harmonica players in Southern California today.”

         Past headliners of Spring Harp Fest have included Johnny Dyer, Al Blake and John “Juke” Logan.

         Harman, a native of Anniston, Ala., is widely regarded as one of the greatest living harmonica players.  With nearly 50 years as a professional musician, he has played in 18 countries, shared the stage with many of the top names in the blues and since 1970 has been a mainstay of the Southern California harmonica scene.

          Harman’s bands through the years have been a launching pad for many of today’s blues artists in Southern California and his songs have been used in television and movies. He also has been nominated for 14 Blues Music Awards (formerly known as W.C. Handy Awards).

          At Spring Harp Fest, Harman will be accompanied by Oceanside guitarist Nathan James, one of the many blues musicians Harman has helped start careers.

          Also playing this year’s Harp Fest will be Johnny Mastro of the Los Angeles band Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys, John “Whiteboy” Waldon of the Philippines, Chet Cannon, Steve Bulger, Billy Watson, Karl Cabbage, Lance Dieckmann and Dan Gage.

         Chris James on guitar, Patrick Rynn on bass and Ric Lee on drums will serve as the house band.

        The Harp Fest also will feature Unknown Players competition, one of beginners and one for more advanced harmonica players.

        The festival also will hold an extensive raffle to help finance its event and support the Blues In The Schools program run by Blues Lovers United of San Diego. In 2008-2009, the BITS program provided musical education programs for 7,800 children in San Diego County schools.

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 PLEASE NOTE: Spring Harp Fest would be pleased to provide musicians for in-studio interviews or performances.  Please contact Harmonica John Frazer for that.