A Passage to India: Harry Manx Provides a Link Between the Sitar and Blues Guitar

March 2, 2005

At 15 years of age Harry Manx landed a job as the soundman at Toronto’s famed blues club El Macombo. Legends like Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and B.B. King all performed there and Manx mixed the sound for all of them. Even the Rolling Stones played there. Manx was absorbing the styles of the great blues masters by night and spending his days, when in not in school, honing his own techniques on guitar.
His teenage tutelage by the greats paid off and Manx has carved out a successful life as a performer and singer/songwriter on the folk circuit. He returns to Northern Michigan March 2 – 4 playing shows at Union Street, Traverse Brewing Company and the Phoenix Café as part of Seamus Shinners’ Connemara Conert Series.
Manx, who performs 180 to 200 shows a year, is currently touring in support of his fifth album and his first on his newly formed independent label Dog My Cat Records. The album, “West Eats Meet,” blends Indian folk melodies with blues, a sprinkle of gospel sounds, and solidifies his reputation as the “essential link” between the music of the East and the West. So why not title the album “East Meets West” instead of the play on words?
“It is important to have a little sense of humor, especially in this business,” said Manx. “Recently I went on a radio show and the host hadn’t look at the title, so when we were on the air he got confused and thought he had misspoke. It was pretty funny.”

MOVE TO INDIA
His love for Indian music was developed when he moved to India in 1986.
“In the late ‘70s I was drawn to the Indian culture and became interested in their lifestyle,” said Manx. “When I moved there I became consumed with their music and the fact that it turns you inward. It has special qualities. It is very tranquil.”
So why blend the two styles?
“Too much Indian music will put you to sleep,” said Manx. “I like to use the ragas or melodies, otherwise the songs would be an hour each. There is a definite connectivity between American blues and Indian music.”
While in India Manx spent five years studying with Rajasthani Indian musician Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Grammy winner with Ry Cooder for “A Meeting by the River”) and received the gift of Bhatt’s custom-made, self-designed Mohan veena - a 20-stringed sitar/guitar that Manx introduced to North America upon his return. For Manx this time was so special he saw himself staying forever.
“One day Bhatt came to me and more or less told me it was time to find my own way,” said Manx. “I guess there comes the point when you have to stop being a student and put to use what you have learned.”

CANADA TO BRAZIL
His time in India taught Manx not only about music but life in general.
“Just being in the presence of great people, you learn so much,” said Manx. “I know people who studied under Ravi Shankar and they learned more by listening to what he said versus trying to learn by watching him perform.”
Manx has called many places home, spending time in Europe, Brazil and now residing on the west coast of Canada. During the school year his wife (a native of Brazil) lives in Brazil. As for now Manx calls the road his home.
“It is tough at times, but this is a musician’s life,” said Manx. “It is all I know and I am not sure that there is much else that I could do.”
Manx has a base of fans around the world and is very popular in Australia where he also enjoys Aboriginal music.
“I love that music,” said Manx. “I met up with Peter Gabriel’s didgeridoo player while down there and he is absolutely amazing. Sometimes I wonder if many Americans are sheltered when it comes down to music. There is a lot of great music out there and it isn’t all being made in the States.”
Pursuit of great music is why Manx launched his own label last year.
“I wanted a vehicle to promote upcoming musicians,” said Manx. “What I have found in my life is sometimes when you give a little you get a lot back in return.”

MULTI INSTRUMENT
Touring as a solo performer Manx plays the Mohan Veena, lap steel, harmonica and banjo, and quickly envelops the audience into what has been dubbed “the Harry Zone” with his warm vocals and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of his original songs. While much of his music is original Manx delves into the occasional blues standard, such as the lead track from his new album, Willie Dixon’s “Help Me.”
So what else have you learned along the way?
“It is hard to make music in the money business,” laughs Manx.
Somehow he has found a way. Manx has won numerous awards and his collaborative effort with Norah Jones guitarist Kevin Breit established Manx as the innovator in the Canadian Blues Music community. Manx has again been nominated for a 2005 JUNO Award (the Canadian version of the Grammy Awards).
“It’s a thrill and an honor to be nominated again for a JUNO award,” said Manx. “I’ve been on tour around the world for most of 2004, so it’s wonderful to get this kind of recognition from the Canadian music industry just as I’m about to come home again.”
Before Manx heads home for the April awards show he will make his way through Michigan. Manx is a must see for the aficionado of the interpretative blues/folk style. His passion and talents draw the audience in and his popularity means that it will be at least another year before he returns. He performs as part of the smoke-free Early Show Series at Union Street Station, TC on Wednesday, March 2, and then up at the Traverse Brewing Company in Williamsburg on Thursday and Friday, March 4, he closes out his northern Michigan run at the Phoenix Café in Beulah. For additional information on Manx or other Connemera Concerts visit
www.connemaraconcerts.com. To purchase advance tickets call (231) 941-8667.