Gary Primich

World class harmonica player Gary Primich died Sunday, September 23, 2007 in Austin, Texas. He was 49. He first picked up a harmonica as a child after hearing Mr. Zip play the theme song introducing the use of zip codes in the U.S. Raised in northwestern Indiana, near the Windy City, Primich cut his teeth on the sounds of Chicago style blues. As soon as he was old enough to sneak into the clubs, he was invited to sit in with blues bands performing at the legendary night spots and juke joints that dot the Chicago landscape. Primich continued to hone his craft performing at Chicago’s historic Maxwell Street open air market where many of America’s greatest blues artists got their start. By the early 80’s he had left the Midwest and headed for Austin, Texas where he became an integral part of the local music scene.

His no nonsense approach to music and non-stop touring won him legions of fans across North America and Europe. Never content to just stand still, Primich was continually taking his music someplace different. He expanded the perceived limitations of his instrument and constantly forged into new and very cool terrain. Throughout his career he released nine albums, wrote dozens of great songs, and lent his talents to recordings by many other artists. He was also a generous and talented mentor. Over the years he taught many aspiring harmonica players in workshops across the country. Gary shared a love of animals with his wife Tina.

He is survived by his father, Jack, and three siblings, Darsha, Tracy and John Brent along with their spouses and children. He is also survived by Tina and their nine beloved animals, Britches, Ruby, Skeeter, Trucker, Ringo, Lefty, Katy, Hattie, and Carly. He will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Oak Hill House, The SIMS Foundation or The Animal Trustees of Austin. A memorial service was held on October 28, 2007.

GARY PRIMICH MEMORIAL & LIFE-CELEBRATION
Sunday, October 28, 2007
8:00pm
SAENGERRUNDE HALL
1607 San Jacinto, Austin, TX 78701

Primer on Harp
By Philip Rosenzweig

Inhale and exhale as an erratic constant
Really an afterthought
A muscle memory
Learned so it can be forgotten

Lips compressing contorting convulsing constraining
Pressing pushing pulsing pausing
Thrusting twisting slipping sliding

Eyes bulging
Cheeks straining
Forehead sweating
Body sweating

Face contorts distorts and legs resist the pressure
Against a thin piece of metal that
Left to its own devices is nothing
Nothing at all
Nothing without the other

And a single note emerging
Loose… loose in the room
The room is filled

Lonely loathing gloating soulful
Shaky swoony swanky squeaky
Boasting bragging bashful barking

Now barely audible
A single note
A single note instantly recognizable for what it is
The entire meaning of a person’s existence