Wilson Music Services proudly supplies and services harmonicas and accordions for some of the best musicians in the world. Here are some links to our harmonica and accordion player friends plus some helpful industry resources.
Roly Platt
Roly Platt has enjoyed a long and very musically rewarding career as both a live and studio harmonica player in the Canadian scene for over 35 years. He has had the pleasure of touring and recording with many greats in the business, including: Matt Minglewood, Dutch Mason, David Clayton-Thomas, Suzie Vinnick and Ronnie Hawkins
Roly’s distinctive sound, versatility, and intuitive sense of “what works”, has elevated him to “first-call” studio harmonica player in the Canadian recording scene. Roly had been recorded on over 1500 individual album cuts, movie scores and national jingles and is now working on sessions for clients from around the globe via his home studio.
Roly is also the inventor of the Harp Wah harmonica mute, as well as offering harmonica lessons
Carlos del Junco
Born in Havana, Cuba, del Junco (loosely translated “of the reeds”) immigrated with his family at the age of one. He bent his first note on a harmonica when he was fourteen, making his debut with his high school math teacher at a student talent night.
Playing a ten hole diatonic harmonica, Carlos has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using a recently developed “overblow” technique taught to him by jazz virtuoso Howard Levy. He has recorded with Bruce Cockburn, Kim Mitchell, Oliver Schroer, Zappacosta, and has also worked with Dutch Mason, Hoc Walsh (Downchild Blues Band) and Holly Cole.
In addition to Carlos being a fabulous player, he also offers harmonica lessons.
https://www.carlosdeljunco.com
Jerome Godboo
Toronto singer and harmonica player Jerome Godboo is always improving himself, as a musician, a man and a communicator. An accomplished and exceptional bluesman, his bending harp skills have been sought by everyone from Ronnie Hawkins to the late Jeff Healey and he continues to mesmerize all who witness him onstage including the judges at the International blues Challenge 2014 held in Memphis where Jerome took home the Lee Oskar best harmonica Player award.
The one-time local legend of explosive 90s rock band the Phantoms, Jerome has released 14 albums in his 25-plus year career, 11 of which are solo, including the brand new Sanctuary City with drummer Gary Craig and Spin Doctors guitarist Eric Schenkman.
Harpdog Brown
Harpdog Brown is a gifted singer and imaginative harmonica player of note that has been in Canada’s Blues scene since 1982. Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta he crossed tens of thousands of miles playing club dates and festivals in Canada, North Western United States and Germany.
Over the years Harpdog has issued 6 CD’s to critical acclaim. In 1995 his Home is Where the Harp Is won the coveted Muddy Award for the best NW Blues Release of the year, from the Cascade Blues Association in Portland. As well, that year it was nominated for a Juno for the best Blues Release in Canada. Teamed up with Graham Guest on piano, his CD Naturally was voted #1 Canadian Blues Album of 2011 by The Blind Lemon Survey.
Sadly, Harpdog passed away in January, 2022. RIP Harpdog.
Paul Reddick
Paul Reddick began playing the harmonica at the age of twelve. In 1990, he formed The Sidemen, a blues band based out of Toronto, which toured and recorded until the early 2000s. The Sidemen’s album Rattlebag (2001) was nominated for a Juno, as well as a W.C. Handy Award. In 2002, The Sidemen also won three Maple Blues Awards, including Album of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Reddick was also the 2008 Maple Blues Award winner as Songwriter of the Year.
Paul continues to perform in Europe once or twice each year, where the critical applause for his work equals that at home in Canada. He plays festivals across Canada, and is in demand as a session player — he’s appeared on recent CDs by Kathleen Edwards, Colin Linden, Susie Vinnick, Treasa Levasseur, David Baxter and others.
Mark “Bird” Stafford
It all began so simply back in the early days of blues jams when Hock Walsh (of Downchild Blues Band fame) singled him out during one of the early Pine Tree blues jams, circa 1985. Finding his footing with thanks to Hock, Mark formed the Polaroid Blues Band and took up residency at Lee’s Palace for a two-year stint. Signing on with the Sly Dogs in ’89, Mark further honed his vocal and harmonica chops with another long-standing gig at Chicago’s.
The Sly Dogs eventually evolved into Mark “Bird” Stafford & The Rectifiers, holding their ground at Chicago’s as Mark further established himself as a bluesman’s bluesman among local musicians and loyal audiences alike. Mark’s claim-to-fame remains his bulldog approach to playing the blues. Mark continues to be a regular fixture on Toronto’s blues stages and a well-traveled ambassador who is most at home in front of any blues audience determined to start a party.
There is a growing interest in “How To Play Harmonica” and Mark is well qualified to teach private lessons as well as conduct workshops providing all the tools to make it an informative and fun environment. Currently he teaches with the Toronto District School Board (continuing education – adult) and festival workshop programming from beginner to advanced, as well as offering online video instruction.
https://www.markbirdstafford.com/
Les “Survivorman” Stroud
Les Stroud is a Canadian survival expert, filmmaker and musician best known as the creator, writer, producer, director, cameraman and host of the television series Survivorman. After a short career behind the scenes in the music industry, Stroud became a full-time wilderness guide, survival instructor and musician based in Huntsville, Ontario. Stroud has produced survival-themed programming for The Outdoor Life Network, The Discovery Channel, The Science Channel, and YTV. The survival skills imparted from watching Stroud’s television programs have been cited by several people as the reason they lived through harrowing wilderness ordeals.
Al Lerman and Fathead
Considered among the top harp players in the country, singer/songwriter Al Lerman is a journeyman musician who plays with sizzle and a whole lot of soul. His harmonica and saxophone playing have garnered him several Maple Blues Award nominations.
He is founder and leader of the 2X Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy) winning blues outfit FATHEAD, touring regularly playing festivals, concert halls and roadhouses all across the country. When FATHEAD is not on the road, Al can be found working with a variety of top notch musicians – either as a sideman or fronting. He regularly performs as solo artist accompanying himself on guitar and rack harmonica. He has also appeared on critically acclaimed recordings by artists such as MORGAN DAVIS, MEL BROWN, RICK FINES, STEVE PAYNE, RITA CHIARELLI, WILLIE ‘BIG EYES’ SMITH, LITTLE MACK SIMMONS and countless others. No matter what, you can always expect some downhome blues that shoot straight from the heart.
https://www.allermanmusic.com/
Raoul and The Big Time
RAOUL AND THE BIG TIME was formed in July 1998 by Ottawa raised actor/musician Raoul Bhaneja. THE BIG TIME features Darren Gallen on guitar, Terry Wilkins on upright bass and Tom Bona on drums. Their energetic mix of “Toronto / Chicago / Hollywood” Blues has won them numerous awards on a national level at the Maple Blues and Real Blues Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Debut CD and multiple instrumental awards.
https://www.raoulandthebigtime.com/
Joe Sexton and A Piece of the Rock
High-energy East Coast celtic music and acoustic favourites! A Piece of the Rock is Chris Murphy, Joe Sexton, Bruce McDaniel & Chad Wenzel. Since the 1990’s, A Piece of the Rock has been entertaining music fans across Canada, USA and even Europe.
www.facebook.com/apieceoftherock
Joe Murphy and The Water Street Blues Band
Joe Murphy has been a fixture of the east coast blues scene for the past 40 years. He got his start sitting in with Dutch Mason in 1972 and played harp and guitar on Dutchie’s last album Half Ain’t Been Told. He also played harmonica on Garrett Mason’s Juno award winning I’m Just A Man and has played with most of the blues acts who have come east in the last thirty years. His Water Street Blues Band has backed up Otis Rush, Johnnie Johnson, Johnny Sansone, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne and the late great Pinetop Perkins, just to name a few.
Joe’s most memorable gigs include playing harp for three nights with John Lee Hooker and a wonderful week playing harp for Sunnyland Slim. He currently has 5 CD’s in print, two with his Water Street Blues Band and two side projects, one with Johnny Sansone and his latest, She Moves Me, featuring Bhrath Rajukumar. Joe and his band also has one of the longest running blues matinees for the last 21 years, every Saturday at Your Father’s Mustache in Halifax.
Laird Brown and Scotch Mist
Laird’s early years in Toronto were rich in Celtic culture, dancing and music. Growing up he had many interests in the arts and pursued a wide variety of options in theatre and music, including Country dancing and Highland. In 1992 Laird played with the band for the first time, as a last minute substitute for a 2nd accordionist. And before long Laird had permanently joined The Scottish Accent band, playing with his Dad, Bobby. Laird assisted Bobby in the everyday running of the band and also acted as co-producer on their CDs. Laird has taken an active role in playing lead for RSCDS classes at workshops across Canada and the U.S. and he is very proud to be a part of the country dance community. Most recently Laird recorded his debut CD as a lead player, with the Scottish Accent band. Laird’s role has changed since the passing of his father. He has now taken over the day to day duties of the Scottish Accent and would like to thank the R.S.C.D.S community for all their love and support. Along with his Scottish Country Dancing gigs, Laird also enjoys playing for Weddings and Ceilidhs.
Scotch Mist is made up the surviving members of the “Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent band”. For the last 3 years the band has continued the tradition of playing for Scottish Country Dance Music and workshops throughout North America.
Mo Vint and his Harmonicats
For a thoroughly enjoyable performance, choose Mo Vint and his Harmonicats to entertain for your organization or event. As America’s most popular harmonica trio, today’s ‘Cats continue to play the old favourite arrangements of the original Harmonicats started in 1947. In keeping current with today’s sounds, they have added new stylings to their repertoire that are sure to get you in a swinging mood
You can also expect some humor—that can only be done with the harmonica—from the only traveling professional harmonica trio in the United States and Canada. There may even be a few delightful surprises with audience participation during the live show.
This harmonica trio features accomplished entertainers whose style brings back memories for the older generation. Youngsters in the audience are enthralled with their skill. Every performance contains something that all will enjoy.
