Trying to shake those Winter Blues – Looking towards Springtime – Here’s a good way to start that all off. The 2013 Blues Harmonica Summit will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Melody Ballroom (Downstairs). Located at 615 S.E. Alder St. – Portland, Oregon – Some of the Northwest’s Greatest Harpmen will be blowing the frost off their lips for an evening of tongue blocking, note bending, screaming, trilling, soulful, over blowing Harmonica work!

Starting at 8:00 pm and going until 12:00 midnight or ?

You’ll be able to hear the expertise and extraordinary finesse of Harmonica Giant – Mitch Kashmar – formerly of War and the Pontiax – Mitch has been traveling the world andamazing audiences with his great technique and abilities on the Harmonica.

Also appearing will be another stellar Harpman and Future of the Blues Harmonica – from Eugene, OR. – Hank Shreve. Over the past few years Hank has jumped leaps and bounds on the humble mouth organ and has been turning heads at whatever show he’s involved with.

The 2012 Muddy Award winner for “Best Blues Harmonica” – Jim Wallace will be bringing his bag of tricks to the show with Chicago, Jump, and Downhome styles on the Mississippi Saxophone – A Northwest favorite among musicians and fans alike.

Another Northwest Legend will be the fantastic Johnnie Ward. – One of the first Harmonica players here in the Northwest to bring attention to the Blues Harmonica! You never know what tunes or Harp parts Johnnie will be throwing at you.

And the “Godfather of the Northwest Blues” – Bill Rhoades – will attempt to wring some notes and squalls out of what some have called a “Tin Toy”. Swamp, Rags, Swing, Funk and Delta will all show up on Bill’s set!

One of the bonus’s will be that each artist will do a roughly 20 minute set and then we will start over, so if you show up late you won’t miss any of the featured artists. And they will all get together for an Harmonica Jam at the end!

Who will be backing up all these Harmonicas?. We have an All-Star House Band scheduled featuring longtime Northwest artist – Sir Henry Cooper on guitar. Also on guitars will be former Texan Soulman – Newell Briggs and another Northwest Native – Chuck “Orca” Laiti. Our rhythm section is the “Shufflemaster” Jeff Minnick and one of the most solid bassmen around – David Kahl!

The admission to the show will be $12.00 at the door and if you show a current card from the Cascade Blues Association, the Washington Blues Society, Rainy Day Blues Society, Boise Blues Society, Inland Blues Association or any other Blues group you will get $2.00 off. Sorry but Downstairs shows at the Melody are 21 and over only.

Once again the show starts at 8:00 pm and goes until 12:00 midnight on Saturday, March 2nd 2013 – Melody Ballroom – 615 SE Alder, Portland, OR. For more information you can call the Melody at 503-232-2759 or call Bill at 503-253-1265 or e-mail at BRpartykings@aol.com