Of all the musical instruments that evoke a classic, western sound, the harmonica’s rhythmic howl is hard to beat.
It’s also an instrument that many buy but never learn to play – something the self-described “Harmonicowboy” Gary Allegretto hopes to change one workshop at a time.
“A lot of people who get a harmonica have no idea what to do. They blow in and out of it a few times and end up putting it back in a box or a drawer as a possession. It’s not something they play,” said Allegretto. “My goal is to make people harmonica players.”
As part of the Sunflower Theatre’s inaugural Cowboy Music Week – a musical salute to Cortez’s Old West history – Allegretto is bringing his critically-acclaimed blues and western tunes for an intimate show at the Sunflower, followed by his harmonica workshop.
The workshops, which have been held all over the world, teach attendees how to play four Western tunes by session’s close.
Included in the $20 ticket price, is a Hohner Harmonica with a music booklet, award-winning entertainment and expert instruction from Allegretto himself.
“People are often astounded by how fast they learn. I promise to them teach a song in 30 seconds, and they usually laugh, and then they find out I wasn’t kidding,” Allegretto said. “I’ve never met anybody I couldn’t teach.”
A portion of proceeds will be donated to Allegretto’s nonprofit Harmonikids, which provides music therapy to children with special needs worldwide.
In terms of his show, Allegretto says attendees can expect some of his older familiar songs as well as some new material he’s been working on.
“They can expect all material that they’ve heard and love, as well as some new stuff. I do try to mix it up. The thing that makes me unique is that I mix up some unique stuff they’ll never hear anywhere else. There’s even a song where I play the washboard with one hand and three harmonicas in the other,” said Allegretto.
While he’s based in Los Angeles these days, Allegretto lived for a time in northern New Mexico. He’s traveled the world but says the dusty, cowboy landscape of the Four Corners stays close to his heart.
“It’s always a joy to come back to Cortez. I’m excited about it,” he said. I have a lot of friends out there, and it’s always great to get back to those mountains.”