Today’s harmonica world is the result of the pioneering activities of manufacturers, composers, performers and amateur players.
A lot has happened in the last 100 years but it is not very well documented or understood.
These books provide some of the backgound to the artists and the way the music developed.
Author
Book Title
#1
Louis Delin
Backstage Harmonica – Autobiography
#2
Larry Adler
It Ain’t Neccessarily So – Autobiography
#3
Larry Adler
Me and my Big Mouth – more autobiography
#4
Al Smith
Confessions of Harmonica Addicts – A History of American Ensembles
#5
Jane Rodack
Be of Good Cheer – Memories of Harmonica Legend, Pete Pedersen
#6
Kim Field
Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers – Interviews and stories
#7
Albert Raisner
Le Livre de l’Harmonica – History of The Harmonica to 1960
#8
Ray Grieve
A Band in a Waistcoat Pocket – The Story of Harmonica in Australia
#9
Ray Grieve
Boomerangs and Crackerjacks – The Harmonica in Australia, 1825-1960
#10
Jerry Adler
Living from Hand to Mouth – Larry Adler’s Younger Brother
#11
Max Geldray
Gone With The Wind – Autobiography of a Dutchman in England
#12
Peter Krampert
The Encyclopedia of the Harmonica – Short Bios ofHarmonica Players
#13
Kurt Roessler
Sie Spiel(t)en Mundharmonika – Harmonica Players
#14
Fabrizio Poggi
Il soffio dell’anima: armoniche e armonicisti blues
#15
Martin Haeffner
Harmonica Makers of Germany and Austria
#16
Martin Haeffner
Harmonicas – The Story of Hohner Brands
#17
Christoph Wagner
Die Mundharmonika – ein musikalischer globetrotter
#18
Martin Haeffner
Made in Germany – Played in the USA
#19
Martin Haeffner
“Hohner The Living Legend” – 150th Anniversary
#20
Zong Xiaohua
Chinese Made Harmonica Illustrations
#21
Editors
Seventy Years of Hong Kong Harmonica (2004),
#22
CMA, NUS
Harmonicist’s Handbook, 1991, Singapore
#23
Gian Pasquinelli
Soffiando e Risoffiando – by Armonauti Trio (Italian)
#24
Bruno Kowalczyk
The Harmonica and Traditional Québécois Music
#25
Charlie McCoy
50 Cents and a Box Top
#26
Jean Labre
Musique en bouche
You can read more information about these books and where you might be able to find them on Pat Missin’s fantastic web site about all aspects of harmonicas.
The history of the harmonica is told by the performers and the music they recorded. Most of the major music collectors have died but this website shares some of the recordings from their collections – shellac, vinyl, cassette and reel to reel tapes, CDs, film and video tapes. It includes all music styles and harmonica types.