Happy New Year!
This being my first post of 2011 I thought it apt to write something about the very thing that led me top start this blog, my decision to write a book. One of my early intentions was to blog about the process of researching and writing (how "Web 2.o"). However, I quickly discovered with a full time job and other commitments, I had a choice between spending time blogging about the book or actually making progress on it. An obvious decision, and my updates have been correspondingly...infrequent.
Some Writing, a Lot of Research
So where have I got to? Well, reviewing my first post from February 22 last year, I have to say overall progress in 2010 was tremendous. The most significant aspect is that the subject of the book changed because something wonderful happened during my early research. I quickly saw that what began as a theory for the harmonica actually applied to most instruments. While writing has not progressed as fast as I planned, the research has been much deeper and wider, reflecting the remit of the book completely changed. Things, shall we say, 'blossomed".
One element of my research is to cross reference the experiences of world class harmonica players with those of other world class musicians, in particular jazz players. It was this approach that led to the remit of the book changing. Meeting and interviewing these wonderful musicians, many of whom are personal heroes, was absolutely one my personal highlights in what was a brilliant year anyway.
Here's a list of the 2010 research interviews. All were done face to face and lasted between 30 minutes and 4 hours.
Saxophone
- Joe Lovano
- Chris Potter
- Nigel Hitchcock
- James Spake
- Nick Payn
Trumpet
- Randy Brecker
- Guy Barker
- Abram Wilson
Trombone
Piano
- Neil Cowley
- Christian Sands
Guitar
- Charlie Hunter
- Matt Schofield
- David Mills
Bass
- Jasper Hoiby
- Laurence Cottle
Vocals
Sitar
Drums
Chromatic Harmonica
- Hendrik Meurkens
- Gregoire Maret
- Olivier Ker Ourio
- Yvonnic Prene
- Joe Powers
Diatonic Harmonica
- Howard Levy
- Dennis Gruenling
- Jason Ricci
- Joe Filisko
- Brendan Power
- Greg Zlap
- JJ Milteau
- Adam Gussow
- Dave Barrett
When I look down the list of people I have interviewed so far I have to pinch myself. I am grateful for the amazing contributions from these incredible players. You won't be surprised to hear that all the meetings were fascinating. Several unexpected findings have emerged though. I can say that from the people listed here, 90% had never considered the issues I'm researching. This has given me an enormous amount of encouragement, given all their talents, deep understanding of music and their craft. I hope to complete another 10 or so interviews during the first few weeks of 2011.
This is a massive project and I would also like to thank industrial designer Stuart Banham for his computer renderings and model making. And Jason Musil for his research assistance. My trip to the USA in March and April 2010 to do many of the interviews was an amazing experience. I would also like to thank Ron Smith for looking after me in Mississippi.
O.k, back to work....