tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970458356846535498.post4580327727642344704..comments2023-11-05T08:15:45.644-03:00Comments on LEANDRO FERRARI : O som experimental de Chris MichalekLeandro Ferrarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15281752227815450208noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970458356846535498.post-46645803047040692102010-12-18T00:09:51.090-02:002010-12-18T00:09:51.090-02:00---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: &quo...---------- Forwarded message ----------<br />From: "Brendan Power" <br />To: <br />Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:02:31 -0000<br />Subject: [Harp-L] Chris Michalek R.I.P<br /><br />I just got a message from George Brooks saying that Chris has died after a<br />short illness... I am utterly shocked!!! I find it hard to take in, but<br />George says he was called by Chris' wife Laurie, so it must be true,<br />horrible as that is to contemplate.<br /><br />You had to know Chris personally to appreciate him. His posts online were<br />pretty extreme at times I agree, but he's the epitome of that saying "His<br />bark is worse than his bite". Chris had a heart of gold, and was incredibly<br />generous to me and lots of other people. The 2000 Harmonica Summit he<br />organised single-handedly was a landmark event in the harmonica world;<br />that's the first time I got to know him, as he put me up in his house. We<br />became friends, meeting at successive SPAHs, and I spent a great three days<br />with him in June at his and Laurie's home in Phoenix, where Chris organised<br />a gig/workshop for us. Remembering how lively and energetic he was only a<br />few short months ago makes his sudden death all the harder to accept.<br /><br />At the Summit in 2000 I met his wonderful parents, American Dad and<br />Vietnamese Mum, who met when his Dad was in the Vietnam war. Wonderful<br />people; his Mum worked as a surgical nurse and gave me some exquisite small<br />scissors and tweezers that are still in my harp tool kit today.<br /><br />After the recent SPAH in August Chris invited Buckwheat, TJ Klay and me<br />again back to his parents' place in Minneapolis/St Paul, and we had a<br />brilliant afternoon playing, joking, firing his Dad's home-made pipe gun and<br />enjoying a delicious meal of Vietnamese delicacies cooked by his big-hearted<br />Mum.<br /><br />That afternoon I tried the sample Buddha Marine Band that he was showing<br />people at SPAH, and it was absolutely incredible! Among the 2-3 most<br />responsive custom diatonics I have ever tried.<br /><br />Sure he talked himself up, but he certainly walked the walk as a customiser<br />as well as a player, big time. His playing, especially the gorgeous 12th<br />position sound he got, was very influential, especially through his generous<br />YouTube teaching videos. He was a great mentor to many of the best young<br />players around today, as I'm sure they will attest.<br /><br />Personally I liked Chris's strong opinions on everything. They always made<br />sparks fly, never boring! It's a pity that many of those offended by strong<br />posts online never got to know him in person, or they would have seen<br />through the bluster.<br /><br />Chris was one of the great characters of the US harmonica scene, and he will<br />leave a big hole.<br /><br />There is lots more to say and I know many others will feel the way I do. RIP<br />Buddha, and keep tootin' wherever you are!<br /><br />Brendan PowerLeandro Ferrarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15281752227815450208noreply@blogger.com