Harmonica Page

Download sample of Jacks playing here

Jack Price's association in the harmonica world is quite considerable. He began learning to play a chromatic harmonica in his teens having purchased his first instrument in a German music shop in Sylt whilst serving in the RAF.

During Jack's ten and half years living in New Zealand, and after many attempts, he eventually formed the harmonica trio, "The Rhythmonics" with another harmonica enthusiast, Peter Nation. After a short while and with a lot of hard work, both players were joined by the third member, Jack Mason, who was later replaced by Barry Sail. Finally Bill Hearn came in to replace Barry who had to leave to fulfill other commitments i.e. bass for a jazz trio and for commercial flying.

The trio eventually became the foremost harmonica group down under with a busy schedule

In cabaret and concert engagements, appearing in quite a number of ANZAC concerts during the late 50s and early 60s. It wasn't long before the trio became well known through their radio broadcasts. Jack also won the Larry Adler cup several times from 1958 for chromatic harmonica and had a chance to meet Larry Adler backstage during one of his tours. Larry Adler said how pleased he was that Jack has chosen his arrangement of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" for the cup in 1958 and for his composition of "The Genevieve Waltz" in 1959.

The trio was soon approached by Viking Records in New Zealand to make an album and this was recorded in Palmerston North (NZ) where the trio lived. The album was called "The Harmony Cats" by the record company (VL20) and this increased their popularity throughout the country. It was also played by most radio stations on a regular basis. One particular track was used as a background filler during the link up of the main national news from Wellington at lunchtimes.

During 1962-1963, Jack Price started to make a number of solo appearances, including a radio broadcast and an ANZAC concert.

In 1963, Jack and his family returned to the United Kingdom and during his writing and producing years became a serious session musician. Over recent years, Jack has been associated with Richard Smith of Harmonic Solutions, the designer of the world's first totally electronically amplified chromatic harmonicas and blues harps. He has been using Harmsol equipment for a few years and has been in close touch with Richard Smith during its development. He is delighted to hear that a number of musicians are showing considerable interest in these harmonica mikes including Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Paul Jones. Richard Smith himself is a fantastic harp player and Jack is pleased that Harmonic Solutions have gone into manufacturing and production with Herring Harmonicas in Brazil, www.harmsol.co.uk .

Jack mentioned to Richard Smith, the constant nightmare that he and the trio had during their early years, when at stage appearances they nearly always had to share one microphone on the average PA system. To accommodate the different sized instruments of the trio, i.e. two foot rhythm harmonica and double reed bass harmonica, necessitated turning up the amplification which invariably caused severe feedback. On reflection, Jack wishes the Rhythmonics had had some of these mini mikes built into their harmonicas. The great Jerry Murad's Harmonicats probably had the greatest harmonica sound of all the groups, but their Instruments had external mike mountings and these were for studio recordings.

Apart from harmonica session work and the odd club engagement, Jack is currently in the process of completing his own harmonica album and has produced a huge library of TV and film background music and effects featuring various harmonicas.