When you think of a harmonica you might think of some lonesome cowpoke entertaining the other cowboys with Home On The Range sitting around the campfire in a cowboy movie. Or you might think of the blues greats bending notes on a harmonica, or what is also called a “blues harp.” The most common is the Hohrner Marine Band harmonica. It is known as a Diatonic harmonica. Ten notes in and ten notes out.

The other kind of harmonica is a Chromatic. It has 48 notes— it can play sharps and flats like a piano and therefore play full octaves. Stevie Wonder plays a Chromatic on Fingertips. In the end the two different kinds of harmonicas are as different as a ukulele and a guitar.

There are two harmonica greats that played with some of the biggest names in jazz and music. Toots Thielemans played his Chromatic on over 150 albums. Peter "Madcat" Ruth primarily plays the Diatonic harmonica — but he too has appeared on over 150 albums. They are the perfect harmonica virtuosos to explore the harmonica playing jazz, soul, pop, Bossa Nova and the blues. But also making a surprise musical appearance is Dave Brubeck along with his sons Darius, Chris and Danny. Yep, "Madcat" played with them as well.

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The copyright of all music in this podcast series is held by the individual holders. The theme and end songs are licensed from Fresh Music Library. All commentary is copyright by David Husom. All rights are reserved. Contact the author for educational use of this material.