BUDAKA

Jones on Harmonica

The major influences in my harp style would be John Popper, Jason Ricci, and Sugar Blue. They have all taken the harp to new level beyond the Little Walter, Butterfield, and Sonny Boy Williamson style of play. I’m absolutely influenced by the old school that’s the foundation; but I’m striving for a unique style of my own that’s not trapped by tradition. Yes there is only so far you can stray from that foundation it all goes back to the old school I realize that. However I would like to take the harmonica to a place where Hendrix took the blues guitar out of this world. I’m amazed at the variety of tone and licks one can get from such a simple instrument. For all its limitations it also reaches places that no other instrument can go. The harmonica sounds and feels like a voice to me. I love to wail on the harp and make it sound like its crying. I would say I’m a singer first and that’s most likely why the harmonica came natural to me it’s like another voice. I believe that’s how I play as if I was singing through the harp. The breathing element I find interestingly metaphoric to many aspects life. There is a breathing rhythm I try to maintain. It’s a matter of control when going off on a solo that’s sounds out of control. Listeners who have seen my live performances can’t figure how I can play for long extended periods of time. Again it goes back to control and circular breathing. I think yoga and meditation has helped keep me focus on that aspect. It doesn’t take much to get excited in an energetic music set and find oneself out of sync with your own breathing. I can play a little guitar in a rhythmic sense but I haven’t found my way to make it wail as lead instrument, which is another reason the harmonica is my first instrument. The harmonica is great little contraption made of wood and metal that fits in your pocket and can make the sound of freight train going straight through your head.
Jones