Sunday
May 26, 2024

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RAIN CANCELLATION

Spring Harp Fest Will Not Play This Saturday




For the first time since 1999, Spring Harp Fest, the Blues Harmonica Festival held annually at La Mesa’s Harry Griffen Park, has been cancelled by Mother Nature. Not to worry; organizers have found a new date and will host the festival on Sunday, May 26, 2024. “We hope our fans can make the new date,” said festival co-founder “Harmonica John” Frazer, “there is really nothing like this event!”

2024 Line Up


Below is our line up for the 2024 Spring Harp Fest. Please note that all artists & times are subject to change.

Sunday, May 26, 2024
11:00am
Set, in order: Kris Wott, Marty Hales, Art Faxas, Bill Hoaglin Band
12pm
3D Blues Band featuring Dave Churchville
12:45pm
Harmonica John
Harmonica & Guitar  
I come from a very musical family. My mom and her sisters all sang, and mom wanted to play the drums, but it was considered unladylike, so she was happy to see that I liked to bang on things. My dad and his brothers all played instruments as well as his mom and dad. Grandma Frazer was quite skilled at playing the organ, and we would all gather in the living room. I remember hearing everyone playing Al Hirt's "Java"when it first came out.Grandpa Frazer played banjo and harmonica, mostly and I first played one of his harmonicas when I was quite young- however, being unskilled, I was told to take it outside away from the family jam session. It was many years before I took up harmonica again, but when I did, it was pretty natural for me.
1:30pm
Unknown Players Jam
$25 Donation to Participate (One for kids, one for adults!)
Have you heard of our world-famous Unknown Player's Jam? To many of us, its the highlight of our Spring Harp Fest, especially when we've got the kids involved. And you know, the kids usually win if they can play. Must be that cute factor.

Anyone can participate, you don't have to be a resident of La Mesa, or San Diego, or even California. This fun competition is open to everyone and it is just $25 donation to participate. Best of all, the winner gets a trophy. So brush up on your best harmonica blues and come on out to the next Spring Harp Fest which is every year during Easter weekend in La Mesa, California at Harry Griffen Park. If you click on that link, you can read all about this beautiful park, but here's a pic of the ampitheatre where you'll find us. It's one of the finest parks in San Diego County.
2:00pm
Chris Fast
Harmonica & Vocals  
The Chris Fast Band is a high energy, traditional, four-piece band that has got that great West Coast Blues sound. With a reputation as one of the swinging-est bands in Southern California, the Chris Fast Band is a group of seasoned professionals, up to the task of pleasing the most discerning blues audiences in all variety of venues, from your backyard party to the big concert stage. This is the only blues band in the USA with a money back guarantee!!!
3:00pm
Billy Watson
Harmonica & Vocals  
Billy is an entertainer extraordinaire, capable of throwing down a blues show that can be infectiously hilarious and convincingly nasty. His energy as a frontman is relentless, his vocals inspiring, and his harp work musically outstanding. Billy's repertoire ranges from creepy grooves, grinding shuffles, to fast boogies and swings.
4:00pm
Gabriel Nathanael Band
 
5:00pm
Zavala Sol featuring Karl Dring
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Present & Past Artists


The line-up for 2024 includes Billy Watson, Chris Fast, Harmonica John, Zavala Sol with Karl Dring,3D Blues Band with Dave Churchville and more. Previous year's line-ups have featured some of the most talented harmonica players in the San Diego area and below. Learn more about past years artists below.

  • Silver Kings

    Silver Kings with Mark Bukich

     

    Steve Bulger

    Steve Bulger

    Chris Fast Band

    Chris Fast Band

    The Chris Fast Band is a high energy, traditional, four-piece band that has got that great West Coast Blues sound.

  • headshot of Kyle Rowland playing harmonica into a microphone

    Kyle Rowland

    “Blues harmonica player of the year” and “Blues New Artist of The Year” in 2009 from the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame, Kyle Rowland, has been dominating the stage since the tender age of 10 years old.

    David Lewis

    David Lewis

    Local harmonica blues man David Lewis will be performing with his band, Fred Heath and the Slidewinders. This is guaranteed to be a high-energy set that will get your feet movin'!

    Portfolio Item

    James "Loose" Reed Mojo

    Throughout the years, James has developed his skills in such a way that his harmonica and vocals are passionate, soulful and always entertaining.

  • Chet and the Committee

    Chet and the Committee

    San Diego's favorite Swingin' Good Time Blues an Rockin' Boogie Band. Chet & the Committee frontman Chet Cannon is a self-described “terminal blues fan” who once attended 26 blues concerts in 29 days.

    Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas

    Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas

    San Diego’s Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas have developed a reputation among local craft breweries, Irish Pubs and at numerous outdoor events for its rousing, crowd-pleasing, eclectic performances.

    Harmonica John

    Harmonica John

    I love playing live music for happy people- or they can be sad, I don't mind. Whether I am on Harmonica, drums, guitar, or singing, I am most happy performing, and am willing and able to tour the world

  • Billy Watson

    Billy Watson

    Billy is an entertainer extraordinaire, capable of throwing down a blues show that can be infectiously hilarious. His energy as a frontman is relentless, his vocals inspiring, and his harp work musically outstanding.

    Phil Berkowitz

    Phil Berkowitz

    Phil Berkowitz is a master of the blues harmonica and an accomplished vocalist who has been energizing the San Francisco Bay Area blues scene for more than a decade.

    Troy Sandow

    Troy Sandow

    Troy Sandow has honed his skills by listening and learning first hand from the masters. As a Bass player he has backed some of the best blues musicians and singers in the world.

Unknown Players Jam


Have you heard of our world-famous Unknown Harmonica Player's Jam? To many of us, it's the highlight of our Spring Harp Fest, especially when we've got the kids involved. And you know, the kids usually win if they can play. Must be that cute factor.



Any harmonica player participate, you don't have to be a resident of La Mesa, San Diego, or even California! This fun competition is open to everyone and it is just $20 donation to participate but please note that space is limited. Best of all, the winner gets a trophy and may qualify to participate in our All Star Jam. So brush up on your best harmonica blues and come on out to the next Spring Harp Fest, which is every year during Easter weekend in La Mesa, California at Harry Griffen Park. If you click on that link, you can read all about this beautiful park, but here's a pic of the ampitheatre where you'll find us. It's one of the finest parks in San Diego County.



Donate to Spring Harp Fest


Your donations help Spring Harp Fest to continue our support of the youth music programs in the San Diego, California area. Over the years we have donated thousands of harmonicas as well as monetary support for these programs. The money Spring Harp Fest takes in is earmarked to providing harmonica instruction to kids. The organizers of Spring Harp Fest receive no salary. Our reward is watching kids experience the joy of harmonica music. Please give generously so that we can reach the maximum number of potential harmonica stars.

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Our Sponsors


The Spring Harp Fest relies entirely on volunteers and support from our generous local businesses. We'd like to thank our sponsors who donated generously to this year's Spring Harp Fest. If you or your business would like to donate to Spring Harp Fest, please contact Harmonica John Frazer

Our Sponsor -  Bill Howe Plumbing
Our Sponsor - Gator by the Bay
Our Sponsor - Hodads
Our Sponsor - Lee Oskar Harmonica
Our Sponsor - Moze Guitars
Our Sponsor - Johnny Bs
Our Sponsor - Pykles Remodeling & Plumbing




Contact


In the event that you need to contact the director of Harp Festival, please call John Frazer at 619-709-2217.

Festival Location

Harry Griffen Park
9550 Milden St
La Mesa, CA 91942

Phone

Festival Director
John Frazer
Tel. 619-709-2217

Email

Festival Director
John Frazer
harmonicajohns@cox.net

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