never mind whether you like his harps or not i think hes one of the best harp players out there ,but I havent seen much about him on here.Anyway this is a cool jam not only the harp but keyboards and sax.
yea his style is so different,but i like it,he kinda reminds me of a sax like sound at times,i like how he adds color to the music he plays.i bet hes made some money playing harps with all that he has done with them.I heard i dont know how true it is that he started out working as a machinist.
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2009 4:47 AM
Lee is very gifted, writes a lot of the music he has recorded over the years, really is more of a music director, kind of a Charlie McCoy of light jazz. BTW: Although he still plays with War, he has numerous solo albums.
Hobostubs -- great question. Like Rbeetsme says, he's kind of a ghost on these forums, even though about a quarter of us use his harmonicas. (I got two Lee Oskars - I can see the appeal but find tongue-blocking a challenge with 'em.)
He doesn't play with War anymore. The "War" brand is owned by the ex-producer and features only the keyboardist of what was War. All the other ex, including LO, play with a band named Low Rider, and they rock ! Check http://www.lowriderband.com/. There is also plenty of good music to listen at http://www.leeoskarmusic.com/. I couldn't agree more, LO is a great musician with a distinctive style. And his harps are not that bad too...
I was a little shocked to not find Lee on the top 20 list. Lee uses an awful lot of effect pedals and the like but his sound and technique are like no one else out there. I've had the chance to see him perform quite a few times and have taken a few workshops where he teaches how to tune harps. Few people have the technical knowledge of the workings of a harp like Lee. Check out some of his solo work of the last 15 years or so. He does a great version of Georgia.
Lee is a local around these parts (general Seattle area) and can be seen regularly with Low Rider and others. He always plays with class musicians (especially great horn players) and puts on a great show. He plays very little blues.
@ JB-I would think that Adam doesn't mention him in his lists because he isn't primarily a blues player. He is a great player, and very innovative, but his syle is more along the lines of melodic jazz. I consider him as an influence. He's also a nice guy in person. ---------- ~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
i dont know i never realy catogorized music to much i mean i know there is jazz and blues ect and there different but,its good harp music just the same i think you can get to closed in with labels if it sounds good and someones enjoys it,why worry about labels You dont hear much about John Popper on here either ,but among my musicians friends who dont know much about harmonica players all know of Popper.And befor i got into harp music him and Dylan is about all i knew.
Last Edited by on Dec 28, 2009 10:47 AM
