RJ is a member of this forum and I suspect he wouldn't force his own work on us, but that's what friends are for, right? Here's a video from what I guess is a Florida TV show, with a young hipsterish on-air MC and a bluesy torch song from RJ. The harp solo isn't blues exactly, or jazz. It's something new and in-between, and that's why I like it. It uses overblows, old country blues licks, upper-end octaves. Ear candy for those who looking for new sounds. It's NOT progressive jazz; it's not Howard or Budda. If amped up, it might sound more like Jason than anybody else on the scene, but it doesn't really sound like Jason. (I'm thinking especially about the stuff at 1:40-1:50.) That's why I like it.
Chris - You're right he was taught by Larry "Iceman" Eisnberg.
He has also had quite a few lessons with Carlos Del Junco. I know RJ spends a lot of time at Brian Purdys home and also has spent time with guys like Jason Ricci and Dennis Gruenling when they are there.
I remember seing this interview a couple months ago, but they hadn't posted the performances at the time. They show part of his performance of the song Bottlecaps. He has this song on his Myspace page, but I think he plays it amplified, I really like this acoustic version though. It struck me that RJ is also a rather good singer(which definately makes it easier to get gigs playing the harp, but being that good of a player I'm sure he would have had no trouble either way). I don't think I'd heard the song before, I wonder if he wrote it. If so, I think he's a talented song writer.
I don't say this to be mean but there is something off about his playing. I'm sure its coming from Iceman because I hear it in his playing too. I think RJ is a much better player than iceman. Nice raw talent.
I also think his playing would be better served if he went back to carlos' style of vibrato which is not produced in the back of the throat like Larry's.
---------- "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
Yo, Buddhee Stank. Can you give a short comparative synopsis of the various vibrato techniques, examples of, pros and cons?
I know I have a diaphragm vibrato that was the first way I sort of fell into rather than 'learned'. I also make better sounds using kind of a cavity vibrato that is probably closer to the way you warble when you whistle.
I'm curious how many other distinct and audibly identifiable vibrata there really are, or if it's just the same two or three methods but with widely varied skill or delivery values?
