Blues Harmonica

I began playing harmonica almost 30 years ago, but it was here in Chattanooga that I began to take it seriously and up my game. As a singer-songwriter I played in a nice basic way and I could play cross over blues too. But we have a Monday night blues jam with some of the best musicians in the city, and playing with them forced me into a new groove.

For my own poetry I began playing harmonica solo sections as introductions and in between stanzas so other poets heard that. Then I was invited to accompany poets in their performances. Twice I was asked to cover Nina Simone songs (she loves B minor) and it was so challenging in all the best ways.

My performance of Valentines Day Sucks, at Love Groove 2022, an annual event of Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry HERE

The Divine Poetess asked me to do something inspired by Nina Simone’s version of Strange Fruit to accompany her poem Segregation. She performed three pieces in June 2023 at the Hunter Museum of American Art, for their program, Vision and Verse. They are HERE

I first saw the Jess Goggans band a couple of years ago at Clyde’s aka HiFi-Clyde’s one of Chattanooga’s funnest party spots, and immediately became a follower. I never dreamed that a couple years later, after jaming with Jess a couple times, that I would be invited to join for a couple of songs. Also sat in with them at the Cherry Street Tavern! See photos below

The amazing thing for me, is that in this late season of life, I am blessed with things I only dreamed of. Thank you Lord!