South American Nights - Harmonicats

 

Mambo Jambo

South American Nights
Jerry Murad's Harmonierats
Mercury Wing High Fidelity WING MGW 12163
1959

From the back cover: Jerry Murad, the leader of the group, was born in Constantinople, Turkey, and came to this country at the age of six. He learned to play the harmonica at an early age but didn't take it seriously until he became 20. He is one of the few people left in this country who makes, designs and repairs harmonicas. He joined the Borah Minevitch Harmonica Rascals and stayed with them for almost three years before he formed the Harmonicats late in 1944.

Al Fiore, who plays the rhythm accompaniment harmonica, met Jerry Murad while both of them were playing with the Minevitch Rascals. Al weighs 265 pounds and is considered the comic of the group. To see Al play the thirty-inch harmonica on "Harmonica Boogie" is a sight to behold.

Don Les, another member of the Minevitch group, rounds out our interesting little trio. Don was born blind and didn't receive the use of his eyes until he was 12 years old. He started playing the harmonica while in high school and advanced at a startling rapid pace. Many feel that living under a handicap for many years made it much easier for him to master this small, but difficult instrument in so short a time. Don is considered the best living jazz harmonica player.

From Billboard - October 26, 1959: The Harmonicats turn in a listenable set of readings of Latin tunes, nicely styled for dancing as well. The boys have a good, clean sound on tunes which include "Amapola," "Maria Elena," "Valencia" and "La Rosita," Set can achieve a level of activity on racks.

El Coco
Inspiration
Amapola
Maria Elena
Valencia
La Rosita
Mambo Jambo
The Peanut Vendor
La Paloma
Malaguena
Roman Guitar
Latin Quarter