Santiago Alvarez joins me on episode 147.

Santiago is a chromatic player from Buenos Aires, who has dedicated himself to the folk traditions of Argentina, including writing a thesis on the history of the Argentine chromatic harmonica under the guidance of his mentor Franco Luciani.

Specialising in tango, he explores the close musical relationship between the chromatic harmonica and the bandoneon. Santiago has recorded with numerous Argentine artists, released his own album in 2019, performs widely across Latin America and Europe, and teaches internationally, including recently at The World Harmonica Championships at Trossingen in 2025. He has also created an online harmonica course for Argentine music.

Links:

Contact Santiago at: armonicasantiago@gmail.com

Santiago’s Argentine Harmonica Course: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BiBYGXPf3/

Santiago's thesis on Argentine chromatic harmonica: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1V_gnxR5abozV8DMCgDchYZvqtzzqxsjf

Profile on World Harmonica Festival website: https://worldharmonicafestival.de/artist-profile-santiago-alvarez/

Harmonica FEN festival profile: https://harmonica-fen-festival.com/artist/santiago-alvarez/

Videos:

Santiago’s Argentine Harmonica Course teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUSki-oljnI&lc=UgzKGo6ZbqoJ-RmJhKx4AaABAg

A portrait of Santiago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTClyulss-0

Tanino Duo: https://www.youtube.com/@taninoduo/videos

Celtic Connections with Tanino Duo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuL_-npUniQ

Argento Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKUTufuT1EE&list=RDeKUTufuT1EE

New trio with piano and bass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjG3mjq-yA&list=RDYCjG3mjq-yA

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Ryan Hartt joins me on episode 146.

Ryan is a harmonica player, vocalist and songwriter from New England.

After completing musical studies, he headed to Los Angeles in the late 1990s to immerse himself in the blues scene, learning from West Coast swing heavyweights, including sitting in with Rod Piazza.

He returned to the East Coast in 2000 to form his long-running band Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts, releasing three albums along the way. Ryan has now put out his first solo record, Be About It!, showcasing plenty of expressive harmonica along with his songwriting and vocals.

Links:

Ryan’s website: https://www.ryanhartt.com/

Bandcamp: https://ryanhartt.bandcamp.com/

Videos:

https://www.ryanhartt.com/video/

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Josh King joins me on episode 145.

Josh hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, and picked up his first harmonica at just six years old.
By the time he was eight, he’d found an incredible mentor in the legendary James Cotton, after boldly sneaking into Cotton’s dressing room at a show. That chance encounter turned into a lasting mentorship, with Josh joining Cotton on stage numerous times during his teens.

In 2025, Josh brought his talents to a national audience as a contestant on American Idol. While the spotlight was on his singing and piano playing, it was the harmonica that gave Josh his distinctive edge.
Today, he continues to create and perform new music, keeping the harmonica right at the heart of his sound.

Links:

Josh’s website: https://www.joshkingmusic.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJoshKing

Videos:

House of the Rising Sun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgiGWD9cOWI

Playing Hoochie Coochie Man with James Cotton age 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBAqb_jyn0

Rolling In The Deep on American Idol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-3dWlkR7q0

Hopelessly on American Idol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np8YhQM6kjk&list=RDnp8YhQM6kjk&start_radio=1

Playing with Buddy Guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcV04BKOdc0

Playing with Tommy Emmanuel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G353LZWD52E

Singing US national anthem in 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCLnN1384Y

Support the show