Pgh. Harmonica Whiz To Mark 50 Years Of Recordings, Performances

PITTSBURGH, PA — The iconic Oakland bar and music venue The Decade has been gone for nearly three decades. But many of the performers who regularly played there will stage a reunion of sorts as Pittsburgh harmonica virtuoso celebrates 50 years as a musician.

Marc Reisman will celebrate "The First 50 Years" Oct. 26 at the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall in Lawrenceville with a bevy of former band mates and friends. The lineup is a veritable who's who of Pittsburgh local music legends.

Reisman will perform with Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers with Gil Snyder; Billy Price; Bill Toms and Hard Rain with the Soulville Horns; Ernie Hawkins; Melinda Colaizzi and the Night Sky; Jon Bindley; Peter King; Rick Witkowski of Crack the Sky and Studio L; Don Hollowood; the Wil Kondrich Trio and other guests.

Resiman embarked on his harmonica journey during his senior year at the University of Pittsburgh when two kids walked up to him on an Oakland street and said “Mister do you want to buy a harmonica?” Reisman's half-century milestone will feature songs he has performed and recorded with the other musicians as well as selections from his solo album "Strong Way."

The collaborations are the brainchild of Pittsburgh music promoter Zeke Carasani, who has worked with a host of local musicians.

Tickets are available on the Thunderbird website.