About Jew's Harp

[Henk Postma]

JEWS HARP IN TRADITIONAL AND NEW MUSIC

The Dutch artist PHONS BAKX (1956) has written the worldwide history
of the Jew's Harp in a Dutch standardwork called 'De Gedachtenverdrijver'
(The Thought Dispeller; 174 pages).

Only in one radioprogramme (broadcasted by the Dutch VPRO) he guided the
listener during an eight hours lasting trip along every tradition of Jews
Harp-playing in the world.

Around Phons Bakx an internationally orientated Jew's Harp culture
developed over the past ten years. Various aspects of this culture can be
heard on his CD: A SONG FOR THE JEW'S HARP.

The 22 cd-tracks include a mixture of worldmusic, folkmusic, songs of life,
medieval and new music. In general it is in European stile with influences
from North-American and Asian cultures (Siberia; Indonesia).

17 musicians from 10 cultures were participating to this cd.

Some of the tracks are for the Jew's Harp only. All other pieces are for
the Jew's Harp
in combination with other instruments such as clarinet, recorder,
bambooflute and reedflute, but also accordion, percussion, guitar and
vocals.

Some first reactions:

"Wonderful variety, informative insert notes, well produced!" --- Mark
Poss, webmaser of the Jew's Harp Guild (USA)

"Who 'knows all about' now have the chance to reconsider the prejudice.
For them, who 'don't know at all' this cd is more than an excellent
introduction" --- New Folk Sounds (The Netherlands)

"A showcase of Phons's outstanding trumping, but much more: a remarkable
synthesis of the music and playing of 18 musicians from many parts of
the world" --- Prof. dr. Frederick Crane in VIM 6 (USA).

On request we can sent you a newsletter with more detailed information
about this cd (music, musicians, ordering).

Email to: pac...@zeelandnet.nl

Henk Postma & Phons Bakx
Phone +31 118.411.234
Snailmail: Breestraat 16
NL-4381 HZ VLISSINGEN
The Netherlands