From: Ryan Hartt Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 10:20:25 -0500 (EST) Subject: Jerry Portnoy Questions
What Position is "Misty" played in? Jerry plays "Misty" in second position on an Ab harp (key of Eb). There are some tricky notes when he gets to the high end. He may overblow, he may have the reed filed I'm not really sure. Its a cool tune that shows that diatonic can be used for jazz.
Jerry's Equipment I've never seen him play live so this is all educated guesses. I have seen a picture of Jerry with Muddy in the mid seveties, with Jerry playing through a Super Reverb. Recently, with his Clapton apperances he has been playing a reissue (I assume) 59 Bassman. As for mikes the Muddy picture has him holding a Green Bullet with about three feet of cord and an XLR connector. Lately he has been using an JT-30, customized no doubt, how and by whom I don't know, with a screw-on to 1/4" adaptor and a guitar cable. There was a rreally good article in Blues Revue a few months back and I think that's where I have seen the Muddy picture. Last year there was an article in Mix Magazine that describe the equipment for Clapton's blues tour, and a Clapton concert video with Jerry. I'm sure someone who's seen him live can either correct me or fill in the blanks Ryan Hartt
