"11 questions 4..."

The back story:  after hearing about Jay’s playing at the Garden State Harmonica festival in November of last year, I was fascinated.  I contacted Jay’s mother (and manager) Jan and asked for her permission to speak with him.  After two months emails and IM’s attempting to get our schedules to match (both of us traveling, mid-terms – Jay is a freshman in high school - etc) I was able to spend some time talking with this remarkable young man…freshly off his visit to Memphis and the IBC’s…on facebook… 

Q1             Why the harmonica?  So many guys your age are playing the

guitar or the drums or instruments they see in their high school

band.  Why the harmonica Jay?

JAY:          Well, my interest in harmonica was sparked by interest in blues, which was sparked by my interest in Jimi Hendrix and other early Blues Rock acts. As I became fascinated in blues, I wanted to play it, and clarinet just wasn't cutting it. So harp seemed like a cool idea.

Q2           Who was your first mentor…the person who gave you your first  

meaningful lessons?

JAY:          Jon Paris.  Well Jon taught me for a long time, basically until it became not so much teaching but discussing. But he still does teach me guitar.  I'll never get to good for that

Q3             I know you’ve spent sometime learning with Jason Ricci.  What

about his style do you find so compelling?

JAY:          Oh man, what do I not find compelling about his style? Ok, well, his bag of tricks/knowledge of the instrument is as deep as.. the Dead Sea. There's nothing he can't play. And he's always growing and learning and creating. What Jason is doing, that's my goal.

Q4             You’ve played with many of today’s biggest names in harp;  

Howard Levy, Rob Paparozzi, recently Adam Gussow – which  was very  cool - What has been really memorable to you…something that stood out and why?

JAY:          Hmm, well they all stand out. Anytime I get to play with one of my heroes its quite an honor. I didn't actually play with Howard onstage, but I played for him and he started drumming on the chair in front of us and sort of beat boxing the bass line to the song that I was playing, with which he was familiar. That was really cool. He's a true genius, and his friendliness kind of surprised me. He's a completely nice, altruistic person. As far as skills go  I will go on the record as saying he's THE single greatest harmonica player that's ever lived.

(follow up to Q4) : when I listen to his (Howard’s) music, it's like “where does one take it from there?”

Jay:        Exactly. But then again, look at Carlos, and Chris Michalek, and Jason. They're taking specific aspects of Howard's style and expanding them.

Q5             When you first started playing, what techniques did you find   

                  most difficult to learn and how did you overcome it?

JAY:          Well, they were all hard. Bending, tongue-blocking, overblows. I still sometimes struggle on 3-hole draw intonation.

(follow up to Q5): in what sense?  Hitting the exact pitch?

Jay:        It took me a year of practice to nail overblows. A year! and yeah, like hitting the different notes. Like the whole step down vs. the half step down. Or all the way down. Its hard, man. My intonation is getting better though. All the time. 

Q6             How essential are you finding over-blows in your arsenal of

techniques?  Why are they so important to you (if indeed they are)?

Jay:        Over-blows are great man. The 6 is soooo useful in cross-harp blues, the minor third. Its also very useful in minor jazz in third. I've actually found uses for all of the over-blows. They're just such a cool technique. Also, they allow me to be able to play any melody, which surprises a lot of people. Which I always love to do.

Q7             What would you like to be doing better? Actually, I think you  

answered this in question five.  Anything you want to add?

JAY:          Well, when I was in Norway, I went to a jazz jam, and when it was my turn I got up and just led a bass player, drummer and piano player. We did some of my favorite jazz tunes, and it was cool and successful. However, I realized that my depth of jazz licks is somewhat limited. So I just want to become very fluent with jazzy scales and such, more so than I am now. Like Michalek or Howard.

Q8          Have you thought of studying theory with some guys GREAT Jazz harp players such as Will, even though they are generally more well known for Chromatic.

Jay:        Hmm that's a good idea. I was considering getting some lessons from Robert Bonfliglio. But Will Galison would be awesome to learn from. He's a really cool guy

Q9             Everyone has break through moments as they learn to play the

harp, what were some of yours?

Jay:        Well, getting overblows was huge. I had literally been trying - and failing - for a full year before I got it down. Also, becoming a fluent tongue-blocker was a big one.

Q9             What do you see as some of the mistakes young harp players

are making as they learn to play?

Jay:        Hmm…infatuation with speed and over-blows before getting

down the basics. But most of the young harp players that I know are doing just fine.

Q10           What are you current harps of choice?

Jay:           Well, I play custom harmonicas by Brad Harrison and Chris Michalek, predominately. However, when it comes out (which is very, very soon) the B-radical is going to be my main harmonica.

Q11           Finally, what’s next for you?  Recording? Touring?  Are you

gigging with anyone right now

Jay:        My new CD, recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, should be out this spring, I will be touring in Europe hopefully this spring during my break from school. I'll be keeping you updated.

Jeff:          That's it Jay...not to painful right?

Jay:          …nah man it was cool

Jeff:          Take care...my regards to your mom!

Jay:        ok cool man, peace and thank you