Martin Allegro has gone, while maybe not "under the radar," I personally feel this guy 's talent is up there in the "best kept secret category. Just listening to what guy does with a Chromatic, gives me goosebumps. Check out the videos below and you'll see and hear what I mean. (You're in for a treat! a.j.fedor Click here for his youtube channel Martín Allegro. Chromatic Harmonica Player. Arranger & Composer. TANGO, CLASSICAL,FOLK ,JAZZ ,ROCK ,BLUES ,BOSSA. Specializes in unaccompanied 16-hole Chromatic special numbers Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Started playing harmonica in August 2008 and still takes lessons with Antonio Serrano, Rodolfo Mederos, Franco Luciani, Jacko Zeller, Lay Mora, Paco Garrido, Luis Saltos, Mariano Massolo, Adrian Jimenez and Nicolas Smoljan. He is also studying the amazing concepts and techniques of Franz Chmel, with whom he maintains frequent communication. In July 2011 published his 1st album "Martin Allegro Solo Armonica" which received excellent reviews: It is the first recorder project in Harmonica History of Tango, Classic & Folklore Argentino interpreted in a single Chromatic Harmonica. No overdubs. Recorded in July 2010 . 11 tracks with the most emblematic compositions of Mores, Salgan, Paganini, Piazzolla, Hnos Abalos, Bach, Debussy, Pugliese, Gardel Le Pera. He is currently dedicated to teaching Chromatic Harmonica, recording a new album and live performances. 
Martin Allegro Featured SlideMeister - March 2014: Chris Bauer
I've known Chris for a bunch of years now and have always been impressed by the man. He and his lovely wife Pat have are just a treat to hang out with. Chris Bauer (Jazman extraordinaire) combines a very sweet sound with some of the tastiest chops this side of wherever. Chris is simply a class act with side helping of musical energy that's flat out exciting! a.j.fedor Click here for his website Downbeat Magazine proclaimed Chris Bauer “is an excellent harmonica player…with a free sense of swing and joy.” Residing in Yardley, Pennsylvania, Chris performs popular jazz standards on the chromatic harmonica with a repertoire from upbeat bop tunes to cool Latin numbers to soulful ballads. Playing harmonica for over 40 years, his performance and recording experiences are diverse including jazz gigs, harmonica trios, church worship bands, production library tracks, even recording “Mack the Knife” with a reggae band! He performs and gives harmonica technique seminars at many festivals around the country. His most recent CD “In A Yuletide Groove” has been featured on numerous jazz radio stations around the country, and was declared as “a solidly delightful mainstream take on holiday classics that makes you smile from start to finish”, by Chris Spector of Midwest Record. Born and raised on New York’s Long Island, Chris was surrounded by the harmonica since his father had a harmonica trio of his own. He started playing at age nine and began appearing with his father’s trio by thirteen. At sixteen, Chris placed third in a worldwide harmonica competition and in 1987, placed fourth in a field of 27 at the International Harmonica Federation competition, both times finishing as the highest placed American harmonica player. Since then, Chris has performed at many venues including B.B. Kings (guest artist for Dickey Betts), Kenny’s Castaways in New York, and also the harmonica role in the play “Big River.” Chris is a regular contributing writer to The Harmonica Educator magazine on jazz topics, has taught harmonica at Bucks County Community College, and continues to work on recording projects that exemplify jazz harmonica. He also performs both in jazz trio or quartet settings, as a soloist utilizing custom backgrounds that provide the sound of a jazz ensemble, or can sit in with rock, blues, or jazz bands. 
Chris Bauer Recordings: 2013 Brian Colburn “Forever Was Worth the Wait” 2012 Chris Bauer “In A Yuletide Groove” 2009 Chris Bauer “Straight Ahead” 2008 The Harmonica Masters “A World Class Harmonica Trio” 2006 Chris Bauer “Symphonica” 2004 Chris Bauer and Friends “How High The Moon” 2003 Chris Bauer “Selections from the Sinatra Songbook” 2002 Chris Bauer “Now’s The Time” 1997 The Bauers with Dick Gardner “On the 50th Anniversary of ‘Peg O My Heart’” 1996 The Bauers “Sentimental Love” 1995 The Bauers “A Holiday Harmonica Festival” 1990 The Harmonikings “Autumn Concerto” 1989 The Harmonikings “Silver Anniversary Collection” 1987 Jerry Murad’s Harmonicats “Magic”
Bud Boblink is one of my all-time favorite harmonica players. Having been unaware of the existence of harmonica conventions, I played for well over forty years before ever meeting other players. That being said, one of the very first harmonica players I ever met was Bud Boblink. Wherever there is a convention / party / festival / picnic, you can usually find Bud Boblink. He's easy to recognize, because he's one of the guys who's always smiling. The only time he not smiling is when he has a harmonica in his mouth; and even then, his eyes are smiling. (some things. ya just can't hide!)
To me, Bud Boblink is the personification of the Chromatic harmonica player, and the yardstick by which I personally tend to measure the rest! :o) A.J.Fedor Update - 1-18-2014 I just got my copy of Bud's CD: "Harmonicas By Request" in the mail today: and hafta say it was so good we listened to twice!! Bud plays all the parts and all the harmonicas, and does a fantastic job. Bravo Budley! Get yours here: http://budboblink.com/recordings.html Bud Boblink
Chicago-born Bud Boblink fell in love with the harmonica when he was 13 years old. It was then that he and two friends, Bob Laas and Al Fontana, formed a trio, The Harmonica Bobcats. Within six years, they were touring Europe, entertaining the Armed Forces and performing on Radio Free Europe. Their tour continued into the Far East, Japan, and Korea.
Over the years, Boblink has worked with many harmonica groups, including The Mike Hanley Trio, Jammercats, Harmonica Classics, The Yellow Pine Trio, The FunTymers, Windy City Harmonica Trio, Johnny Puleo’s Harmonica Gang, and the Harmonicats. His friends in the original Harmonicats, were a tremendous influence on him and his music. Bud feels honored to have worked with Jerry Murad’s, Don Les’, and Al Fiore’s Harmonicats. In addition, he has shared the stage with many individual harmonica artists such as Pete Pederson, Howard Levy, Harry Bee, Madcat, Lee Oskar, Stagg McMann, Cappy LaFell, Sandy German, Mo Vint, Frank Warner, Don Klein, Buzz Krantz, and Joe Filisko. For several years, Bud joined Don Allen and Dan Wilson to judge and perform at the Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival in Idaho. Bud and Frank Warner joined Pete Pederson to record ten of Pete's original compositions. Bud has spent years performing on radio, recordings, television, cruise ships, and stages across the country. Self-taught Bud Boblink plays all types of harmonicas, but specializes in the two-foot-long chord harmonica when playing with groups. Many consider him the very best anywhere on this unique musical instrument. Popularized by the performance of his single act, he enjoys blending family-style comedy, magic and familiar music into a crowd-pleasing, one-man show. Bud is a Lifetime Honorary Member of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH). SPAH recognized his contributions to harmonica music with the Harmonica Player of the Year Award. The latest information on Bud and his work can be found at www.budboblink.com Here's a video that demonstrates the versatility
Featured SlideMeister - November 2013: Hermine Deurloo 
Hermine Deurloo is an internationally known jazz chromatic harmonica player from Amsterdam. Hermine studied saxophone at the Amsterdam Conservatory. At the same time, she taught herself to play the harmonica. Initially inspired by Toots Thielemans, Hermine has developed an intimate sound that is her own. Having played with artists such as drummer Han Bennink and musicians from the New York scene, such as Tony Scherr, she now performs original compositions with her own band.
For the last 14 years she has been a member of the famous Willem Breuker Kollektief, and as a soloist she has performed with the Metropole Orchestra, Orchestra Jazz Siciliana, Steven Bernstein, Jesse van Ruller, Candy Dulfer, Trijntje Oosterhuis, and Al Jarreau. She toured in America, China, Japan, Indonesia and Europe. In October 2012, her latest CD, "Glass Fish" is released by Challenge Records, where Hermine is accompanied by some of the best of the Dutch jazz scene: Tony Overwater, Jesse van Ruller, and Joshua Samson. Previous CD's released by Hermine are: Crazy Clock -with Tony Scherr (2005), recorded in New York; Soundbite (2006), Live in de Tor (2007) and Sozinhos (1998) with Ricardo Insunza. Hermine plays music in films ("Strangely in Love" – music by Austin Wintory), TV leaders and advertisements. She's also been a guest solist on many CD's and played with a variety of groups, such as Bennie Sings and The Rigidly Righteous. Hermine has appeared on TV several times, in prime time programs such as "De Wereld Draait Door" and "Klokhuis". In 2011, Hermine was interviewed for the daily news item on RAI 3 in Italy. 
Hermine Deurloo
Press: Jazz writer Scott Yanow; It is obvious throughout this disc that she ranks among the top jazz harmonica players of the past decade. The music of her CD, Glass Fish is light, subtle and an excellent showcase not only for Hermine Deurloo (who deserves to be much better known outside her native Netherlands) but also for her quartet.” Composer Austin Wintory: ‘Hermine is well worth a serious listen. Deeply gifted harmonica player. The soul of my score on ‘Strangely in love'. Michael Point in Texas Round Rock Leader: ‘The chromatic harmonica has had very few virtuoso performers, in its history, especially the ones with a creative streak. Amsterdam’s chromatic harmonica heroine Hermine Deurloo definitely belongs on the short list of such artists. Rudie Kagie, Vrij Nederland, November 2012: “The world should be grateful to the diva for her decision to exchange the alt sax for the chromatic harmonica.” “With this album, Hermine Deurloo shows that the harmonica is a full-blown jazz instrument.” Amanda Kuyper, NRC, October 2012: “With “Glass Fish”, Hermine makes beautiful, minimal jazz, together with Jesse van Ruller on guitar, Tony Overwater on bass, and Joshua Samson on percussion. It is a graceful dance of four equals, who allow each other space, while listening carefully in deciding what their music needs next. Deurloo’s harmonica often calls up associations with film music. Nevertheless, thanks to the combination of instruments such as the hang, slide guitar, or ukulele, the outcome is consistently unexpected and refined.” http://www.herminedeurloo.com Check out Hermine's new "Glass Fish" CD on Challenge Records: http://www.challengerecords.com/product/1334671276/
Antonio Serrano
This month we're featuring SlideMeister member, Mr. Antonio Serrano
Antonio was born in Madrid in 1974. His father started teaching him the harmonica (his main instrument) by the age of 7, and later he went on to study with the great Larry Adler. Antonio soon developed an amazing technique on the chromatic harmonica that has allowed him to play in many different contexts, dominating all styles of music, from classical music to jazz, bues, tango and flamenco. Antonio first received international attention at the age of 13 when he performed in Paris as a duo with Larry Adler This concert marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship between the two harmonica players, one which would greatly enhance Antonio´s already promising professional career. Larry Adler became Antonio´s mentor and they performed together on may occasions. In 1992 when Antonio was just 18 he performed the Malcolm Arnold Harmonica Concerto which was written specifically for the great master, Larry Adler. (video) As a young adult, having previously focused predominantly on classical music, Antonio went on to study many other genres of music, spending a number of years performing with blues, jazz and pop artists until be became known in his home country as one of the most important improvisers of his generation, recording on hundreds of records of all styles of music. After becoming known as an instrumentalist of virtuosic abilities, it was inevitable that one day, he would receive the call from Spain´s most important instrumentalist of all time, the flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT8-3_fqO4Y&app=desktop Antonio Serrano
Antonio eventually became famous for introducing the harmonica in flamenco music, an almost impenetrable genre for musicians outside the flamenco culture. He continues to tour the world with this living legend, whilst also pursuing his solo career and performing as a guest artist with other musicians. Over the years, Antonio has played and/or recorded with Larry Adler, Toots Thielemans , Wynton Marsalis, Jerry Gonzalez, Chano Dominguez, Lou Bennett, Jorge Pardo, Vicente Amigo, Tomatito, Armando Manzanero, Luis Salinas, Javier Colina and many many more. During his career, Antonio has played with the symphonic orchestras of Venezuela (Simón Bolivar), Belgium, Cologne, Heidelberg, Kiel and Turkish Radio amongst others, playing original Concertos for harmonica by H. Villalobos, Malcolm Arnold, and arrangements of Enescu, Gershwin, Piazzolla and many more.
As a session musician, Antonio Serrano has recorded with most of the major pop and rock artists in Spain and as well as on the soundtracks to numerous films by the renowned Spanish film maker Pedro Almodovar. Antonio Serrano has released 7 albums, his most recent is “Harmonious” released in February 2013.
Hendrik Meurkens
Virtuoso instrumentalist and composer Hendrik Meurkens began his career in Germany playing vibes. At 19, he heard Toots Thielemans play harmonica, which totally changed his musical life. His career has taken him from Brazil to Germany, then throughout the European continent where he became a pivotal force on the studio and jazz scene, performing, composing, recording, and touring extensively with his own ensembles as well as with visiting legends Harry Sweets Edison and Buddy Tate. In 1989, he returned to Brazil to record his first album as a leader, "Samba Importado". In 1992, a trip to California led to his signing with the Concord label, and the resulting six recordings established him as the first major new voice on the harmonica since Toots Thielemans.
Hendrik Meurkens
He moved to New York in 1992 where he has lived ever since. His 22 CDs have received rave reviews and strong airplay, and established his immediately recognizable style of Brazilian Jazz. Critics and the jazz listening public alike have recognized Meurkens' incredible talent, listing him repeatedly in the Downbeat and Jazziz Polls. Meurkens has worked with Ray Brown, Paquito D'Rivera, Oscar Castro-Neves, Herb Ellis, Herbie Mann, James Moody, Charlie Byrd, Jimmy Cobb, Ivan Lins, Monty Alexander, Manfredo Fest, Herb Ellis, Dori Caymmi, Toninho Horta, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Buddy Tate, Joyce and Astrud Gilberto.
Jens Bunge was born on September 24, 1963. Inspired by Stevie Wonder's hit song "Isn't She Lovely", he picked up the chromatic harmonica at the age of 18. Listening to the recordings of Toots Thielemans, he found his passion for jazz and soon began to perform with local jazz groups and big bands, receiving more and more attention for his melodic improvisation style.
Besides concerts with his own bands, he performed with the German Jazz Youth Orchestra “BuJazzO” (conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer), and with jazz greats such as Art Farmer, Barbara Dennerlein, Emil Mangelsdorff, Bill Ramsey, Patricia Barber, and Leni Andrade. Being an untiring globetrotter, Jens Bunge has played his harmonica on all five continents: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Montreal, Honolulu, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Bangkok, Sydney and Cape Town are some of the locations where he appeared as a featured guest of local jazz bands. 
He also made his mark at harmonica events, e.g. the World Harmonica Festivals in Trossingen/Germany, the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festivals in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, the Harmonica Bridge Festival in Poland and “Merate Musica” in Italy, where he performed at the gala concerts, judged in the competitions and conducted jazz workshops. He is also a regular writer for the jazz column of the magazine "The Harmonica Educator".
By now, Jens Bunge has published eight CDs under his own name, and appears on albums of artists such as Rick Smith, Ralf Gauck, Peter Lehel, Kai Sommer, Ruth Ling and Kay Tse. Jens has been a part of SlideMeister virtually since its inception in the last millennium. As far as I can remember, Jens has always been here. Besides owning some of his CD's, I've also enjoyed following him around on the web since getting to know him, and hearing how his music and uniquely smooth, "free and easy" style continues to evolve; this guy just keeps gettin' better all the time. Check Mr. Bunge out on the video below.
Jason Keene is a Jazz monster who, like a lot of my favorite players grew up in New York. (Queens, in particular)
Says he started bass in the 4th grade, and got his first Chromatic (a Chromonica Deluxe II) from his father at around age eleven. He was instantly "hooked" however, he only puttered with it for many years while primarily playing the bass. Jason discovered his father's West Coast jazz collection when he was around 12, and also became obsessed with Nat King Cole around the same time. He enjoys all kinds of music, but I has never strayed very far from his jazz and jazz vocalist roots. Mr. Keen has an astounding collection of vinyl LP's. Last count was around 7000! Is that off the hook or what!? Wait! There's more! He's also an avid movie collector, with over 5,000 titles in that collection. His favorite artists and influence include Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, Anita O'Day, Toot's Thielmans, (of course) Chico Hamilton, The Hi-Lo's, Paul Desmond, Dexter Gordon, and anything else that sounds good to his ears. With his BluesBop band
Rather than going to college, he kicked out all the stops, cut to the chase and pursued music full time, right after high school, and moved to Atlanta where he toured for around 8 years with a successful regional rock band (Cruis-O-Matic) until he moved to L.A. when he was twenty-seven. In L.A. he played music, did a few commercials and T.V. as an actor, and got into photography, shooting portraits of his acting and music friends. The photography proved to be more lucrative than he expected, and began a free lance career as a photographer when he was thirty.
Jason Keene
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