Buddy Greene was my inspiration to learn and play classical music on a diatonic harmonica. His style is so fluid and beautiful. His trills are perfectly placed and he selectively allows second notes to float in for the perfect chords to carry the melody along. His breath control is fascinating as he works himself up and down the range with grace and precision. His playing, alone, is responsible for a major part of my own developing style.
That said, there’s a pretty famous YouTube video featuring Buddy Greene playing Carnegie Hall out there and it is stunning and moving to hear. I haven’t written about him in the past, because it seems everyone has seen that video so what’s the point in sharing it again? I have, however, been looking for alternate Buddy Greene videos to post. Tonight I found one! Though it includes the same solo as the Carnegie Hall performance, it also shows Buddy playing a few other styles and it is well worth a watch, even if you’ve seen the Carnegie Hall piece.
Bonus piece here where Buddy busts into a harmonic minor number that the crowd really gets into. Skip to 0:43 for the start of the good stuff.
Image credit goes to Frank Thompson. Thanks!
Harmonica Love Affair 