harmonicas

Sam Hinton was a national treasure. It seems appropriate to use that term when talking about him because he become an important and invaluable preservationist of some of our nation's greatest treasures, folk songs. Sam spent many years traveling the backwoods of this country in search of traditional songs that surely would have been lost without his efforts. As early as 1947, Sam recorded his favorite folk songs for the Library of Congress.

Cham-Ber Huang designed one of the best-known classical harmonicas in the world. His instruments are used in most classical works and by those who recognize the skillful design and quality sound of his harmonica. In his interview, America folk singer and expert Sam Hinton said, “I’ve not found a finer harmonica than that of Mr. Huang’s.” Cham-Ber, a celebrated performer in China as well as the United States, was also a popular showman in Las Vegas in the 1950s and 1960s.  

Charlie McCoy is one of the noted musicians known as the A Team, in the Nashville studios of the 1950s, 60s and 70s! Charlie’s harmonica can be heard on several popular recordings –countless in fact – including the lead solo on “Candy Man” by Roy Orbison. Charlie formed an early relationship with Hohner and he has worked with the company over the years on product design and promotions.

Horst Mucha is one of the most recognizable faces within the music products industry. As a past president of Hohner and a pioneer in the expansion of the company’s product line, Horst has truly become a legend in the industry. During the 1960s, he restructured dealer relations and revamped how it was being handled within the company, resulting in closer relationships with the dealers both in the U.S. and around the world. During that same time, he expanded the product line to include guitars.  

Lee Oskar played the famed harmonica lick in the classic 1970s hit “Low Rider” as a member of the band WARS. The success of this song led to name recognition within the music industry that resulted in the idea of designing and marketing Lee’s own line of harmonicas. Lee Oskar’s has been noted for offering a large range of innovative products, promotional material, and displays critical to the retailer and salesperson’s success in reaching their customers.

Karl Pucholt and Lars Seifert have helped bring C. A. Seydel Sohne back to the forefront of the industry once again. The historic harmonica manufacturer, located in Klingenthal, Germany, had fallen on hard times before its re-birth in 2004. Founded in 1847, the company produced many innovative instruments over the years including the Boomerang harmonica and the classic Blues Harmonica. Mr. Pucholt had worked for Seydel for over 40 years and did not want to see the company close. He worked hard to find a new owner to keep the name and products alive. With Mr.

Lars Seifert was interviewed alongside Karl Pucholt in the oldest building of the CA Seydel & Sons harmonica company in Klingenthal, Germany. The two men headed the team that brought back the company, which in name and innovations had become legendary within the industry. After decades of failing business, the employees worked hard to re-invent the image and product line of the harmonica company back in 2004.
 

Toots Thielemans has enjoyed an incredible career as both a jazz guitarist and a jazz harmonica player. In fact, it is Toots who is credited for bringing the harmonica to jazz. He has performed with nearly every great jazz icon of the century including Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Herbie Hancock. Toots is also the composer of the jazz standard “Bluesette” and “Ladyfingers.” With a laugh and a smile Toots recalled his life, ending with “I believe in music, don’t you?” His interview was completed in Hollywood, CA on November 9, 2005.
 

Mr. Laurie Westell was just 21 years old when he began working in the music products industry. He was hired by Hohner to deliver harmonicas around London. He enjoyed the job, rising in the company to become sales manager. He was sent on the road and represented the company during a period of growth, both expanding into new countries as well as developing the product line. He later worked with the Siel wholesaler in Italy and branched out on his own as music wholesaler. Even after his retirement, Laurie is remembered fondly throughout the industry.