Harry grew up
singing and playing a series of instruments from the piano
to the clarinet, ukulele, baritone uke, and, in college, a six-string
guitar.
Philadelphia's
lively folk scene provided the setting for Harry's first ventures
into public singing. From there, friendships with Dick Weissman
and Roger Abrahams fostered a growing interest in Anglo-American
folk music.
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In
1960, needing a break from his studies (preparing for an architectural
career), Harry traveled out to the Rocky Mountains for some skiing.
He found a job at "The Holy Cat" in Georgetown, as a
dishwasher, busboy, waiter, bartender, janitor, and if
there was a lull in the work at night he could sing in
the bar.
There
he met Hal Neustaedter owner of "The Exodus,"
a folk club in Denver who suggested that he look into starting
a folklore center in Denver. With further encouragement from Izzy
Young, owner of the first and (then) only Folklore Center, in
New York's Greenwich Village, Harry opened the Denver Folklore
Center in March 1962.
Putting
his energies into the store over the years, Harry has found time
for teaching and occasional singing, as time allows.
- In 1972,
Harry and friends Steve Abbott and Jack Stanesco formed Grubstake
originally named "This Band Is Starving." Their
albums include "What You Do With What You Got" and
"Warts and All."
- In his
1976 album "Across
the Blue Mountains," Harry is ably joined by old friends
Dick Weissman, Jay Ungar, Ed Trickett, Artie Traum and Laraine
Grady Traum.
- You can hear song samples and read more about Harry's recordings on his website.
If
and when you find yourself in Denver, we hope you'll stop by the
Folklore Center. If Harry's not there, he's probably not far away.
We think you'll enjoy the mixture of people, music and merchandise
you'll find there.
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