Harp Fest! A Tale of Two Harps: Blues Harp & Pedal Harp
Harp Fest! A Tale of Two Harps: Blues Harp & Pedal Harp
A shared bill featuring local giant RICHARD SLEIGH (blues harp aka harmonica) + FARMER, HARAN & RUSNOCK.
RICHARD SLEIGH is well known in the global harmonica community as a pioneer of high-performance customized harmonicas. He is also a high-octane performer who has played onstage with Paquito D’Rivera, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, and many others.
FARMER, HARAN & RUSNOCK features local musicians Eric Ian Farmer (voice/acoustic guitar), Murali Haran (tabla), Sophie Augusta Rusnock (pedal harp), and special guest vocalist Frances Blanchette.
Murali Haran, tabla player from India and statistics professor, brings with him a performance background that has been almost exclusively in Indian classical music.
Sophie Augusta Rusnock, pedal harp player from Canada and traveling pharmacist, brings with her a background largely in European classical and folk music.
Frances Blanchette, educator and linguist from Massachusetts, will season the performance with a cameo on vocals.
FARMER, HARAN, & RUSNOCK draw largely from the catalog of Eric Ian Farmer, Centre County-born singer/songwriter and educator, alongside originals crafted by the group as well as interpretations of pop and folk songs.