Johnny Rover: A Long Ways From Home

. Brazil is a long way from Chicago (a measured 5276very excited about the sound that we have going on
miles as the crow flies), but not so far that this youngtoday, very swingy and jazzy, with lots of other
artist didn't feel that Chicago blues influence. He startedAmerican Roots influences but always with traditional
playing the blues harp at 15, by listening toblues as the center element.
harmonica blues masters such as Little Walter, and Big CHC How important was William Clarke for you?
Walter Horton, and learned the basics from Brazil'sJR Bill Clarke was a huge influence on me, he taught
leading harmonica players. At 17 years of age, Johnnyme how to play the chromatic harp and 3rd position
played at what has been Brazil's largest blues festival.diatonic in that George Smith style, and hanging out
Once he picked up the harp he could not put it down.with him at his house listening to records and watching
"Addicted" to playing the harp, he followed the pull ofvideos was a priceless education. He really got me
its magic north until he had arrived in California where"addicted" to that bluesy Jazz sound, and we talked a
he had discovered many of the contemporary blueslot about the saxophone approach to the harmonica.
harp masters lived. (It is 6206 miles from Rio deAnd that was kind of like the same education that he
Janeiro, Brazil to San Diego, CA, or twice as far asgot from George Smith, he shared with me lots of
San Diego is from Bangor, Maine. ) Johnny studiedgreat stories about George and Shakey Jake and his
under William Clarke to play a jazz influenced harp inmentors.
the style of George "Harmonica" Smith. After arriving in CHC Can you describe the feeling of playing the
California he was invited to join Jaimie Wood's band, a13th Annual Battle of the Blues Harps with other harp
steady gig since he made California. He has sincegreats as Rod Piazza, James Harman, etc...
played with blues harp masters such as Johnny Dyer,JR In the same manner that Clarke was an influence
James Harman, Gary Primich, Rod Piazza, Jameson me, Johnny Dyer, Rod Piazza and James Harman
Cotton, Billy Branch, among others. This younghave been wonderful to me by sharing their collective
performer has a promising career ahead of him.wealth of musical knowledge. It was an honor for me
CHC How is it possible that a young kid in Brazilto play along side them in this premier blues harp show
discovers George Smith, Sonny Boy, Walter Horton,that has been going on for so many years here in
etc...California. Also, that year Jamie had the distinction of
JR It definitely wasn't a type of music that young kidsbeing the first female to front a band at that event,
in Brazil, specially back in the late 80's and before theand we were asked to return this past year for the
internet, had easy access to. Luckily, I came across a15th annual battle of the blues harps.
record store in Ipanema that had some blues vinyls forCHC Can you tell us some more about your other
sale. So it was fortunate that for the first year I wasmusical projects beside playing in Jamie's band?
learning to play the harp, all I had was Sonny Boy's LPJR Our band collaborates with Johnny Dyer quite a bit,
with the Yardbirds, Little Walter's double LP "Bossand he really likes to have me playing harp while he's
Blues Harmonica", and Big Walter Horton with Careysinging, to get that Muddy Waters sound. It's a privilege
Bell.and a lot of fun to trade harp licks with him! I also
CHC Why did you chose the harp as your instrument?occasionally play in a country blues duo setting with
JR My brother had a friend who was putting togetherNathan James, my partner in Jamie's band for many
a band and I was hanging out with them at their firstyears, he sings and plays that fingerpickin' acoustic
couple of rehearsals. They came up with a song thatdelta guitar style. In addition to that, I intend to release
called for a harmonica, so I figured I would buy me amy own CD with several harp instrumentals plus some
harp and be a part of the band. By the time I got anyspecial guests and friends, just a fun project with lots
good they no longer had that band, but I never stoppedof different styles from straight ahead blues shuffles
playing.to soul jazz with organ and saxophone. I already have
CHC Â Was it because of the music that youa few songs recorded, so maybe sometime next year
moved to the US?it will be ready for release.
JR Yes, once I was "addicted" to this music, I wanted CHC What's the difference between Hering
more of it than was available to me in Brazil at thatharmonicas and Hohner or Lee Oskar?
time. Once I discovered that many of theJR Hohner harmonicas have been around for over a
contemporary blues harp masters lived in California, Ihundred years as the number one harmonica
figured that was the place for me. So I have beenmanufacturer and they make great harps. I have not
living in California for the past 10 years, and it has beenhad much experience with Lee Oskars. Hering has
real good for me. But since the "internet revolution", thebeen improving their harps in a great way these past
blues scene in Brazil has grown a lot and I have hadfew years, I'm officially sponsored by Hering and
the good fortune to return home with Jamie Woodendorse their "Special 48" chromatics and the "1923
and tour Brazil and Argentina three times in the lastVintage" diatonic harps with sealed wood combs. I am
three years. I'm very happy to be playing in Jamie'sreally happy with the fine work they have done with
band. She is a great vocalist and entertainer, and I'mtheir harps, almost treating them as customized harps.