Harmonica masterpieces: world-class performances you should hear at least once
Harmonicas can produce bright, cheerful sounds or resonate with a touch of melancholy—there’s so much to love about them.
They’ve long been beloved around the world, and there are countless wonderful songs that feature harmonica playing.
So in this article, we’ve picked out classic tracks where you can really savor the harmonica.
It’s a fun instrument to puff away at on its own, but when added to an ensemble, it can deliver a surprisingly strong presence.
Why not take this opportunity to start playing the harmonica?
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Harmonica masterpieces: World-class performances you should hear at least once (21–30)
Midnight CowboyJohn Barry
This is the theme song from the 1969 American film Midnight Cowboy.
The music was composed by John Barry, who is also known for the theme music of the James Bond series.
The original performance was by harmonica player Toots Thielemans, but in this video you can hear John Barry himself on harmonica.
ReignBad News Brown
It was Canada’s Bad News Brown who created a unique style of music by layering harmonica playing over hip-hop.
Combining solid technique rooted in the blues with a contemporary sound, his work truly embodied a fusion of soul and hip-hop.
He passed away in 2011 at the young age of 33, but his originality has never faded.
Harmonica masterpieces: World-class performances you should hear at least once (31–40)
Tin Pan AlleyBig Walter Horton
The man commonly called “Big Walter” as opposed to “Little Walter” is him.
He picked up the harp at age five, and by twelve he disliked farm work so much that he headed to the city of Memphis, joined a band, and was blowing harp.
Songwriter Willie Dixon described Big Walter Horton as “the best harmonica player I ever heard.” Please enjoy his truly remarkable performance.
The Drunken LandladyBrendan Power
Brendan Power from New Zealand is a leading harmonica player in contemporary Irish music.
He has contributed to albums by major musicians such as Kate Bush and Sting, as well as to film soundtracks.
His performances are distinguished by both technical mastery and a beautiful tone.
ObliviónFranco Luciani
Born in Argentina in 1981, he received musical training as a percussionist.
His musical style primarily combines Argentine folk music and tango, but he also engages with jazz and classical music.
In 2015, he received the prestigious Konex Award in Argentina, which is given to musicians who have distinguished themselves over the past decade.
The Man I LoveGrégoire Maret
Born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1975, he is a highly accomplished musician who has performed with the Pat Metheny Group and Sting, and is a leading figure in the jazz harmonica world.
The video features an arrangement of the jazz standard “The Man I Love.”
Alfonsina y el marHugo Díaz
Born in Argentina, he began playing the harmonica after a soccer ball hit his eye at the age of five and his vision declined.
He mainly performs tango music, and his poignantly expressive playing seems to be rooted in the folk music of the region where he grew up.
The piece in the video is a beloved national song that every Argentine knows.