Harmonica
Tollak’s journey with the harmonica started at the age of 15 with the blues and a deep love and fascination for the great harp players from Chicago: Little Walter, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton and Paul Butterfield among others and the country blues players like Sonny Terry and Taj Mahal as well as rock harp legend Magic Dick.
Then came the discovery of the chromatic harmonica where he became consumed with the playing of Stevie Wonder and also Toots Thielemans. Other influences include instrumentalists as diverse as Ben Webster, Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Bill Evans and Jaco Pastorius, as well as his own unique singing and piano playing which has greatly shaped his signature phrasing.
What has emerged from all these diverse influences is one of the most unique artists to ever play the instrument. A player whose original voice, depth of artistry and feeling and versatility on blues and chromatic harmonica truly puts him in a field all his own.
Over the years an impressive collection of A list producers and artists have turned to Tollak to add the finishing touch to their records and performances. His harmonica can also be heard in the the theme for the classic hit television series “Northern exposure”.
He is currently working on a Harmonica album combining a fascinating array of influences and great guest artists, release date is still pending.
Below a partial sampling of albums Tollak has played on. Press play buttons to hear selected soundclips.
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artist: | Al Jarreau |
| album: | Accentuate the Positive | |
| track: | The Midnight Sun | |
| year: label: |
2004 GRP |
|
| The Midnight Sun (solo) | ||
 |
artist: | David Schwartz |
| album: | Northern Exposure soundtrack | |
| track: | Theme | |
| year: label: |
1992 MCA |
|
| Northern Exposure Theme | ||
 |
artist: | Earth, Wind and Fire |
| album: | The Promise | |
| track: | Suppose you like me | |
| year: label: |
2003 Kalimba |
|
| Suppose you like me (clip) | ||
 |
artist: | Natalie Cole |
| album: | Ask a woman who knows | |
| track: | Calling you | |
| year: label: |
2002 Verve |
|
| Calling you (solo) | ||
 |
artist: | Ambrosia |
| album: | Live at the Galaxy | |
| track: | Holdin’ on to yesterday | |
| year: label: |
2002 Coach House |
|
| Holdin On to Yesterday (solo) | ||
 |
artist: | Brian McKnight |
| album: | Bethlehem | |
| track: | Have yourself a merry little Christmas | |
| year: label: |
1998 Motown |
|
 |
artist: | Andrea Bocelli |
| DVD: | Under The Desert Sky | |
| track: | Canzoni Stonate | |
| year: label: |
2006 Sugar |
|
| See it here! | ||
 |
artist: | Amy Holland |
| album: | Journey to Miracle River | |
| track: | Surrender | |
| year: label: |
2008 Chonin |
|
| Surrender (clip) | ||
 |
artist: | Bebe Winans |
| album: | Live and up close | |
| track: | Love Thing | |
| year: label: |
2002 Motown |
|
 |
artist: | Al Jarreau |
| album: | Tomorrow Today | |
| track: | Just to be loved | |
| year: label: |
2000 GRP |
|
 |
artist: | Billy Idol |
| album: | Greatest Hits | |
| track: | Don’t you forget about me | |
| year: label: |
2001 Capitol |
|
| Don’t you forget about me (clip) | ||
 |
artist: | Boney James |
| album: | Shine | |
| track: | Dedication | |
| year: label: |
2006 Concord |
|
| Dedication (solo) | ||
 |
artist: | Christopher Cross |
| album: | Walking in Avalon | |
| track: | Walking in Avalon | |
| year: label: |
1998 Sanctuary |
|
| Walking in Avalon (clip) | ||
 |
artist: | Dave Grusin |
| album: | Two for the road | |
| track: | Whistling away the dark | |
| year: label: |
1996 GRP |
|
 |
artist: | Gino Vanelli |
| album: | Yonder tree | |
| track: | Walter Whitman | |
| year: label: |
1995 Polygram |
|
| Walter Whitman (clip) | ||
 |
artist: | Kenny Loggins |
| Video: | Return to Pooh Corner Live | |
| track: | various tracks | |
| year: label: |
1996 Columbia/Sony Wonder |
|
 |
artist: | Brenda Russell |
| album: | Soul Talkin’ | |
| track: | No time for time | |
| year: label: |
1993 EMI |
|
 |
artist: | Kim Hoorweg |
| album: | My Recipe for a Happy Life | |
| track: | Daydream | |
| year: label: |
2009 Verve |
|
| Daydream (solo) | ||
 |
artist: | Don Grusin |
| album: | Bananafish | |
| track: | Pacific Lights | |
| year: label: |
1994 GRP |
|
 |
artist: | Richard Page |
| album: | Shelter me | |
| track: | Shelter me | |
| year: label: |
1996 Blue Thumb |
|
| Shelter me (solo) | ||
 |
artist: | Melissa Manchester |
| album: | When I look down that road | |
| track: | various tracks | |
| year: label: |
2004 Koch |
|
 |
artist: | Shapes |
| album: | The Big picture | |
| track: | Automat | |
| year: label: |
2005 Burnin’ Down the House |
|
| Automat (solo) | ||
harmonicas.