Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Jerry Portnoy interview

August 22, 2020 Neil Warren Season 1 Episode 20
Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
Jerry Portnoy interview
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Jerry Portnoy joins me on episode 20 of the podcast.
Jerry grew up with the sounds of Maxwell street in his ears. It took him a few years to pick up the harp, but when he did he enjoyed a tremendous career. Starting out with Johnny Young’s band, he had only been playing for six years before his talents landed him the greatest harmonica chair there ever was, playing with the Muddy Waters Blues Band. 
Jerry went on to play in the Legendary Blues Band and then with guitar legend Eric Clapton. He’s played at the White House, Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. 

Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only).

Links:
Jerry's website: https://www.jerryportnoy.com

Teaching:
Jerry's Masterclass tutorial: https://www.jerryportnoy.com/lessons.html
Sonic Junction: http://www.sonicjunction.com/jerry-portnoy

YouTube:
Jerry playing with Muddy Waters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu3CbGyKgiA
Jerry playing Misty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb2CZenVvp0

Amps:
http://www.victoriaamp.com/
https://memphisbluesamps.com/mini-amp-docs


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
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

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Father had a store on Maxwell Street
Blues revival sparked Jerry’s interest in blues again
Mother was a singer
Jerry tried out a few different instruments when young
First played harmonica
Learnt harmonica travelling around Europe
Bought a Sonny Boy Williamson II record
Jerry came to harmonica comparatively late and started playing with Johnny Young
Took some lessons with Walter Horton which led to playing with Johnny Young
What were lessons with Big Walter like?
Joined Muddy Waters band
What it felt like getting the chair in Muddy’s band
Role of harmonica in Muddy’s band
First gig with Muddy
The Legendary Blues Band
Jerry made peace with Muddy after the band split up
Jerry played with Ronnie Earl and then The Streamliners
Then started playing with Eric Clapton
Played with Bill Wyman
Recorded some albums under own name
Chromatic harmonica
Album with Pinetop Perkins
Played on Sesame Street
Teaching
10 minute question
Harmonica of choice
Favourite key of diatonic
Different tunings
Tuning to play Layla
Overblows
Embouchre
Amps
Mics
Future plans