The Harmonicats

 

Fantasie Impromptu

Harmonicats

RKO Records ULP 131

1958

From the back cover: It is easy to understand, after listening to  this album, that the harmonica, once considered merely a tour, was lifted to its rightful place among musical instruments by this group, under the leadership of Jerry Murad. Jerry Murad is not lonely one of the great harmonica players in the world, but he is also one of the few people in this country who makes, repairs and designs harmonicas. Jerry was born in Turkey, but his family migrated to Chicago, Illinois when he was six. He learned to play the harmonica as a young boy– and when he was in his twenties, he was hired by Torah Minnevitch to play with his famous Harmonica Rascals. After a few years, when Jerry decided to strike out for himself, he opened in Chicago and soon became the toast of the city. His record, "Peg O' My Heart", sold over two million copies and resulted in world-wide interest in the harmonica.

The two other members of The Harmonicats, Al Fiore and Don Les, were also once with the Harmonica Rascals. Al Fiore, who weights 265 pounds,  is the comic of the group, and his performance with a thirty-inch harmonica is a highlight where ever The Harmonicats appear. Don Les, who was born blind and regained the use of his eyes at the age of 12, is rated one of the best jazz harmonica players in the world. He creates miracles in sound on a plain fifty-cent harmonica!

With Jerry Murad playing the lead harmonica, Al Fiore playing chords and Don Les playing the bass or doing solo turns, The Harmonicats are making musical history with a long string of disc hits already to their credit. – Notes by Elise Bell

I'm Confessin' That I Love You

Tea For Two

September Song

Rhapsody Boogie

If I Had My Way

Dardanella

Valse Bluette

Ritual Fire Dance

Peggy O'Neil

You Are Always In My Heart

Dance Of The Comedians

Cat's Blues

Fantasie Impromptu