SlideMeister  Featured Artist - November 2012:

The late-great Jimmy Lohman

Jimmy Lohman is one of my all-time-favorite Chromatic players. Though I know little about his Chromatic carreer, before I met him, when I finally walked up and introduced myself to him a few years ago, it wasn't long before he was like my own "uncle from Indiana" that I just got to see once a year or so. The last time Barbara and I saw Jimmy at a convention, he gave me a funny look, then quickly looked at Barbara with a big smile and said: "Hello Honey!" Then glancing my direction, then back at Barbara, he he asked: "Why'd ya hafta bring HIM?"

The Ole' Smoothie

Picture
A few years ago, Jimmy mentioned something in passing that has not only stuck with me, but has changed the way I see the Chromatic harmonica. He said "Nothin' to it really; its all about getting familiar with your instrument." which I took as "not learning how to play this or that; but getting intimately familiar with the Chromatic." With that mindset I've since broken the fifty year barrier (and bondage) of playing in the tonic key, and have been having a great time. Thanx Jimbo!

In 1953 Jim formed a harmonica trio with Bob Herndon playing chord harmonica and John Featheringill playing bass harmonica. Calling themselves the HarmoniKings, they appeared on many national TV programs, such as the Lawrence Welk and the Arther Godfrey shows, as well as on local programs in central Indiana. They played show dates and supper clubs throughout the area until 1973.

When the trio broke up in 1973, Jim joined the Carter Lanning Combo and played show dates with that group. Until 2010, Jim played with the Combo at the Saturday night dances at the Raleigh IN Community Center.

During this time, Jim was also a full-time employee of the Indianapolis IN Post Office. He retired in 1985 after 36 years service.

Though Mr. Lohman plays super-cool jazz licks and riffs like shaking a proverbial stick, he insists he is not a jazz player; but rather a "Swing Player" Yeah right! Whatever you say Jimmy! Bottom line: Jim Lohman's a class act, and I'm a fan, period!

I've never known the man to intentionally pass up a  chance to have fun, even if he was making fun of himself. Jim Lohman is a Chromatic Icon and SlideMeister's featured Chromatic player for November.

SlideMeister Loves Jimmy Lohman!