The Museum of Making Music's current exhibition "Roots of Reeds" tells the story of reed instrument migrations across the globe. At first glance, it's an intriguing look at the origins of modern reeds instruments. What it doesn't purvey, however, is the impact that centuries of globe-trotting has had on the musical essence of the instruments. So how do you showcase such a complex idea? With an entourage of world-class musicians, of course!
The Museum has welcomed two giants in the field of harmonica: James Cotton and Howard Levy. They are both experts and legends in their craft and both have been able to share their expertise in a way that has helped define the origins and current state of one of the most ubiquitous reed instrument: the harmonica.
On September 18, James Cotton gave an extensive performance that highlighted the role of harmonica in blues music. Incorporating anecdotal stories of his work with Muddy Waters, Big Momma Thornton, and other music legends, Cotton helped illustrate how deeply the sound of the harp was ingrained into the tradition of blues.
On October 30, Howard Levy—a master of playing chromatic scales on the diatonic harmonica—presented guests with a variety of genres, styles and stories that highlighted the German origins of the instrument, the many iterations of the harmonica that have been manufactured over the years, and the capabilities of the harmonica in contemporary music.
Rounding out the performance series will be respected music historian, musician and collector Randy Raine-Reusch with zheng virtuoso Mei Han as they illustrate the western influences of reed instruments on December 10; Dr. A.J. Racy, a Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of California, Los Angeles, will demonstrate a variety of East Mediterranean instruments on February 11, 2012; and world-renowned ethnomusicologist Dr. Robert Garfias, will give a talk on the the history of reed instruments on March 10, 2012.
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