Reviving a 'Lost Art,' Harmonica Club Knows How to Jam, Too

They come together mostly every other Monday to indulge in their love of harmonica.

But, while the group of more than a hundred players — men and women, ages 10 to 93 — share an appreciation for the mouth organ, their playing styles are diverse, including everything from blues to classical.

At 7 p.m. in room 103 of the Community Church of Glen Rock last night, more than twenty members of the Garden State Harmonica Club joined to have fun and provide a home to all interested in helping to keep the tradition of the mouth organ alive.

Founded in Hackensack by local musician George Osterman in 1971, the club is now run by Valerie Redler, a former New York City teacher, who has been credited by her fellow members for reinvigorating the club and bringing in new faces. Over 40 people have joined in the past year alone, including players who sing and play the guitar alongside the harmonica. “Sometimes these guys keep playing until 10:30,” said Redler. “You just can't get them out of here.”

Redler has been attending group meetings for over ten years. “I was always interested and I'd just sit back, relax and enjoy it.” When the club needed someone with leadership experience to keep the group together, Redler stepped in. She's been president for three years and enjoys her role. “It's like organizing a lesson plan for each month.”

Some of the senior members, along with Redler, see the popularity of the harmonica fading fast.

“In China they teach harmonica in the schools, and we teach the recorder,” said Redler. “It would be great if we could get those little harmonicas in the schools and train teachers how to teach the basics.”

With the focus on preserving the tradition of playing the harmonica, a few of the local members have created a group, the Garden State Harmonica Club Ensemble, which plays shows at veterans hospitals, senior centers, libraries and town parks, along with being open to other performing venues. Select members also play occasionally at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair to help promote the club.

“It started out with just a few members,” said member Frank Grova, “and then mushroomed into what you might call a national thing. People came from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, and as far down as Texas.” Soon after the expansion of the club, they began putting on annual festivals where members from across the country, and even members from Europe and Canada would join to perform. The club's 39th annual festival takes place November 3-5.

Grova, a 39-year veteran, and Phil Caltabellotta, a member for 36 years, are a few of the clubs longest standing members. Both men also play professionally with their group, “The Melody Men.”

“A lot of great players are gone that played in harmonica ensembles where you had chromatic lead, chord, and bass harmonica,” said Caltabellotta. “It's a lost art in this country.”

The meeting gave Redler a chance to present a certificate of appreciation to member Bob Beck, who currently runs a course about how to read music. It also provided time for an open mic event: Grova, playing the lead, and Caltabellotta, who puffed on a 24-inch chord harmonica, began the festivities for the night with “Lady of Spain.”

When the men returned to their seats, two of the youngest members performed “Heart of Gold,” by Neil Young. Sean Kennedy, wearing a green headband and tie-dye sneakers, played the harmonica and sang. Evan Brooke, wrapped in a hooded sweatshirt, provided the guitar. Before the first chorus finished, the entire audience was tapping their feet and playing along.

The next meeting of the Garden State Harmonica Club will be on April 18 at the Community Church of Glen Rock at 354 Rock Rd.

For more information: www.gardenstateharmonicaclub.org