Biography

Neil Graham has gained a reputation for producing best quality custom diatonic harmonicas to players all over the world.

He is widely regarded as a technician ; one of the few who can really bring the instrument to the highest standard possible. With a background in engineering and many years experience as a professional player, he has a head start to understanding what it takes to make a harmonica perform at it's best.

This was recognized by Australia's most famous harmonica player, Jim Conway, who had heard of the work being done by pioneer customizer, Joe Filisko. Joe's work is the inspiration behind Neil Graham Custom Harmonicas. Neil has been repairing harmonicas since 1993 but did not begin customizing till 1998. Since that time, a long list of happy customers from the very famous to the not so famous, all enjoy the benefits of playing a better instrument that is not a throwaway.

Neil began his music career in the coffee lounges of Melbourne in the 1960's as a sidesman harmonica player. He worked with Ray Rivamonte, John Graham and others performing traditional Australian and American folk music and blues. During the 1970's Neil led several blues bands based in the Diamond Valley/Eltham area and performed regularly at Melbourne venues. Throughout the 80's and 90's he was a regular and popular performer with several bands on the far South Coast of New South Wales.

For the past decade he has concentrated on writing and performing songs of his own, working solo with a Dobro and harmonica. The songs are quirky and topical and reflect his view of the world and life in general. Neil is a truly original stylist who has never forgotten the roots from which his music springs. In 2001 Neil performed at the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen Germany and was ranked 7th runner up in the World Harmonica Championship In 2002 Neil was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. This fellowship enabled him to travel around America to study first hand the latest trends in harmonica customization. He is now regarded by his peers and customers as one of the few who rebuilds the Hohner blues harmonica to the highest standard available in the world today. He was chosen to perform concerts and workshops at the Playmakers festival in Albany W.A. in Feb 2009 and again in 2011 alongside Joe Filisko,Eric Noden,Brendan Power Justin Brady and others. Other regular appearances include the Eltham Town Jazz and Blues Heritage Festival, the Cobargo Folk Festival and at the Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival, Narooma . He has recently recorded another album of his original songs produced by Damon Davies at Planet Mars Studio in Cobargo N.S.W.

Discography

Hangin’ with the Dog.............Blue Roots /1996

As a Spark..............................Solo / 2003/

No Place left to hide..............Solo.2010




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Neil Graham Custom Harmonicas

Biography



At the world Harmonica Festival 2001 photo by Otto at funharp

	Neil William Graham, born 1946 About Neil Graham Neil Graham has gained a reputation for producing best quality custom diatonic harmonicas to players all over the world. He is widely regarded as a technician ; one of the few who can really bring the instrument to the highest standard possible. With a background in engineering and many years experience as a professional player, he has a head start to understanding what it takes to make a harmonica perform at it's best. This was recognized by Australia's most famous harmonica player, Jim Conway, who had heard of the work being done by pioneer customizer, Joe Filisko. Joe's work is the inspiration behind Neil Graham Custom Harmonicas. Neil has been repairing harmonicas since 1993 but did not begin customizing till 1998. Since that time, a long list of happy customers from the very famous to the not so famous, all enjoy the benefits of playing a better instrument that is not a throwaway. Neil began his music career in the coffee lounges of Melbourne in the 1960's as a sidesman harmonica player. He worked with Ray Rivamonte, John Graham and others performing traditional Australian and American folk music and blues. During the 1970's Neil led several blues bands based in the Diamond Valley/Eltham area and performed regularly at Melbourne venues. Throughout the 80's and 90's he was a regular and popular performer with several bands on the far South Coast of New South Wales. For the past decade he has concentrated on writing and performing songs of his own, working solo with a Dobro and harmonica. The songs are quirky and topical and reflect his view of the world and life in general. Neil is a truly original stylist who has never forgotten the roots from which his music springs. In 2001 Neil performed at the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen Germany and was ranked 7th runner up in the World Harmonica Championship In 2002 Neil was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. This fellowship enabled him to travel around America to study first hand the latest trends in harmonica customization. He is now regarded by his peers and customers as one of the few who rebuilds the Hohner blues harmonica to the highest standard available in the world today. He was chosen to perform concerts and workshops at the Playmakers festival in Albany W.A. in Feb 2009 and again in 2011 alongside Joe Filisko,Eric Noden,Brendan Power Justin Brady and others. Other regular appearances include the Eltham Town Jazz and Blues Heritage Festival, the Cobargo Folk Festival and at the Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival, Narooma . He has recently recorded another album of his original songs produced by Damon Davies at Planet Mars Studio in Cobargo N.S.W. Discography Hangin’ with the Dog.............Blue Roots /1996 As a Spark..............................Solo / 2003/ No Place left to hide..............Solo.2010