I'm Mike. If you subscribe to blues-l you know me already.
Otherwise, Here's some info:
Born in Chicago, grew up in Joliet 2 miles from Stateville, been all over Florida writing C and C++ code for voice and fax processing companies, now own a townhouse in Elk Grove Village, IL, and looking for a new job.
Go to Jams alot (none lately).
Been a zeller since the New Year.
A hard core '50's Chicago Electric Blues hound. Still don't have any Hound Dog, though. :(
Have a pretty good studio except for being 4-track cassette.
Married to Judith, my soulmate.
I play Blues Guitar, Bass, Harp, Vocals, some Keyboards, and lousy Drums.
Judith plays Classical Piano and is learning Blues Bass Guitar.
Albert King (Guitar and Spirit), Muddy Waters (Genius, Vocals, and Kindness), Howlin' Wolf (Vocals, Balls, *and* he played Guitar and Harp too, plus we share a Birthday), Otis Rush (Guitar, vovals and the fact he's into the scene) and Little Walter (Harp) share the role of Hero.
Judith loves E.C., Freddy King.
(We both love Phil Guy, who is playing at Porter's Crab House, Crystal Lake, IL, in Oct.!)
I've been playing guitar for 31 years, serious Blues for 3 years. Been playing Blues well for a year. ;-)
Started playing harp at Christmas 2 years from this coming. I play cross harp. Hohner Blues Harp (old model preferred), Lee Oskar (still undecided) and planning to buy a few Marine Bands soon (to replace the old Blues Harp). Play pretty damn good, but I don't have a breath vibrato yet, can't bend every hole on every harp (is it just me, I know if I really try hard and experiment I can get some of them, but an identical harp, same key will bend!?~??).
I love both guitar and harp. They allow me to really express my feelings. The harp however can go anywhere (never go anywhere without your harps).
The harp is also great for meeting new people, putting smiles on peoples faces and basically spreading the Blues.
Judith and I created SoundTravels as an offshot of the travel agency she works at, B&B Travel in Roselle, IL. We specialize in Blues related travel and other vacations that we personally enjoy, like the Colorado Rockies. We take a group to see Eric Clapton and Co. at the Royal Albert Hall in London every February/March (which brings up Jerry Portnoy, my favorite living harp player - musically and attitude wise).
Reason for joining Harp-L, I was missing out on a lot of good info, this is the place to answer some of the questions that I have since I have no harp mentor (see !?~?? above), learn a few things, and share the love of this living, breathing, instrument. Also, to relieve blues-l of *some* of my harp traffic.
So, hi y'all
Mike
- ------------------------------------------------------- Name : Michael A. Suffern Judith Darin-Suffern E-mail: msuffe~net.com WWW : http://www.xnet.com/~msuffern/soundtravels.html The Blues&Travel site, E.~R.A.H., Blues Guide
Above all, play what your heart tells you to, As you learn, your heart will have more to say. - -------------------------------------------------------
