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Harmonica Heroes Take Over WNPR

Connecticut Public Radio | By Chion Wolf
Published November 19, 2013 at 11:45 AM EST
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Don DeStefano's harmonica case.
Chion Wolf / WNPR
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Don DeStefano is a harmonica player in the Bernadettes.
Chion Wolf / WNPR
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Chion Wolf / WNPR
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Chris Depino is a musician from New Haven.
Chion Wolf / WNPR
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Ryan Hartt is the leader of Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hartts.
Chion Wolf / WNPR
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Chris Depino is a musician from New Haven.
Chion Wolf / WNPR
Credit pmsanders65, Flickr Creative Commons

Are there countries where harmonica players are BIG stars? Why don't more women play it? How many different musical styles can you squeeze out of one of these things? Guests include a lot of the pros: Howard Levy, Don DeStefano and Chris DePino whose odd career arc has taken him from railroad conductor to chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party to professional harmonica player. Also, Wolfie gets an on-air harmonica lesson from these gods of the harp.

GUESTS:

  • Howard Levy is a multiple-Grammy Award Winner, composer, and master of the diatonic harmonica.
  • Chris Depino is a musician from New Haven.
  • Trina Hamlin is an independent touring musician who is known for her harmonica playing.
  • Don DeStefano is a harmonica player in the Bernadettes.
  • Ryan Hartt is the leader of Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hartts.

What harmonica players inspire you? Comment below, email Colin@wnpr.org, or tweet @wnprcolin.
Chion Wolf
Chion Wolf is the host of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public, spotlighting the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
See stories by Chion Wolf

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Protect Connecticut Public