Johnny Rover: A Long Ways From Home

. Brazil is a long way from Chicago (a measuredAmerican Roots influences but always with
5276 miles as the crow flies), but not so far thattraditional blues as the center element.
this young artist didn't feel that Chicago blues CHC How important was William Clarke
influence. He started playing the blues harp atfor you?
15, by listening to harmonica bluesJR Bill Clarke was a huge influence on me, he
masters such as Little Walter, and Big Waltertaught me how to play the chromatic harp and
Horton, and learned the basics from Brazil's leading3rd position diatonic in that George Smith style,
harmonica players. At 17 years of age, Johnnyand hanging out with him at his house listening to
played at what has been Brazil's largest bluesrecords and watching videos was a priceless
festival. Once he picked up the harp he could noteducation. He really got me "addicted" to that
put it down. "Addicted" to playing the harp, hebluesy Jazz sound, and we talked a lot about the
followed the pull of its magic north until he hadsaxophone approach to the harmonica. And that
arrived in California where he had discoveredwas kind of like the same education that he got
many of the contemporary blues harp mastersfrom George Smith, he shared with me lots of
lived. (It is 6206 miles from Rio de Janeiro, Brazilgreat stories about George and Shakey Jake and
to San Diego, CA, or twice as far as San Diego ishis mentors.
from Bangor, Maine. ) Johnny studied under William CHC Can you describe the feeling of
Clarke to play a jazz influenced harp in the styleplaying the 13th Annual Battle of the Blues Harps
of George "Harmonica" Smith. After arriving inwith other harp greats as Rod Piazza, James
California he was invited to join Jaimie Wood'sHarman, etc...
band, a steady gig since he made California. HeJR In the same manner that Clarke was an
has since played with blues harp masters such asinfluence on me, Johnny Dyer, Rod Piazza and
Johnny Dyer, James Harman, Gary Primich, RodJames Harman have been wonderful to me by
Piazza, James Cotton, Billy Branch, among others.sharing their collective wealth of musical
This young performer has a promising careerknowledge. It was an honor for me to play along
ahead of him.side them in this premier blues harp show that
CHC How is it possible that a young kid in Brazilhas been going on for so many years here in
discovers George Smith, Sonny Boy, WalterCalifornia. Also, that year Jamie had the distinction
Horton, etc...of being the first female to front a band at that
JR It definitely wasn't a type of music that youngevent, and we were asked to return this past
kids in Brazil, specially back in the late 80's andyear for the 15th annual battle of the blues harps.
before the internet, had easy access to. Luckily, ICHC Can you tell us some more about your other
came across a record store in Ipanema that hadmusical projects beside playing in Jamie's band?
some blues vinyls for sale. So it was fortunateJR Our band collaborates with Johnny Dyer quite
that for the first year I was learning to play thea bit, and he really likes to have me playing harp
harp, all I had was Sonny Boy's LP with thewhile he's singing, to get that Muddy Waters
Yardbirds, Little Walter's double LP "Boss Bluessound. It's a privilege and a lot of fun to trade
Harmonica", and Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell.harp licks with him! I also occasionally play in a
CHC Why did you chose the harp as yourcountry blues duo setting with Nathan James, my
instrument?partner in Jamie's band for many years, he sings
JR My brother had a friend who was puttingand plays that fingerpickin' acoustic delta guitar
together a band and I was hanging out with themstyle. In addition to that, I intend to release my
at their first couple of rehearsals. They came upown CD with several harp instrumentals plus
with a song that called for a harmonica, so Isome special guests and friends, just a fun
figured I would buy me a harp and be a part ofproject with lots of different styles from straight
the band. By the time I got any good they noahead blues shuffles to soul jazz with organ and
longer had that band, but I never stopped playing.saxophone. I already have a few songs recorded,
CHC Â Was it because of the music thatso maybe sometime next year it will be ready
you moved to the US?for release.
JR Yes, once I was "addicted" to this music, IÂ CHC What's the difference between
wanted more of it than was available to me inHering harmonicas and Hohner or Lee Oskar?
Brazil at that time. Once I discovered that manyJR Hohner harmonicas have been around for over
of the contemporary blues harp masters lived ina hundred years as the number one harmonica
California, I figured that was the place for me. Somanufacturer and they make great harps. I have
I have been living in California for the past 10not had much experience with Lee
years, and it has been real good for me. But sinceOskars. Hering has been improving their
the "internet revolution", the blues scene in Brazilharps in a great way these past few years, I'm
has grown a lot and I have had the good fortuneofficially sponsored by Hering and endorse their
to return home with Jamie Wood and tour Brazil"Special 48" chromatics and the "1923 Vintage"
and Argentina three times in the last three years.diatonic harps with sealed wood combs. I am
I'm very happy to be playing in Jamie's band. Shereally happy with the fine work they have done
is a great vocalist and entertainer, and I'm verywith their harps, almost treating them as
excited about the sound that we have going oncustomized harps.
today, very swingy and jazzy, with lots of other