It has been a great blues evening with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, BB King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Healey, Gary Moore, Santana, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mark Knopler and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

“Jazz Manouche” or Gypsy Jazz, has a rich history steeped in culture and tradition. This guitar-based music is the only Jazz form whose origins are found outside the United States. It was created and made popular in the 1930’s and 40’s solely by the legendary French gypsy guitarist virtuoso, Django Reinhardt and his Quintette Du Hot Club De France.

You can listen to some of their music at their MySpace-page.

You can also watch the video at YouTube, Paul sings Nessun Dorma.

Paul, although unknown in the competition, has a track record. According to Wikipedia Paul has spent two summers touring Northern Italy training with one of the major opera schools, training under top teachers Mario Melani and Svetlana Sidrova, and has taken part in master classes with Vilma Vernocchi, Katia Ricciarelli and Luciano Pavarotti. He has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The article starts like this:

Some people might consider the harmonica an unlikely vehicle with which to explore and transcend that mysterious and often mutinous entity known as the human mind. But as we’ll see in this article, the unique qualities of the harmonica are particularly well-suited to those in pursuit of a healthy, integrated approach to life. From its direct relationship with the breath to the fact that you can’t play a wrong note, the harmonica offers a pocket-sized key to meditation and mindfulness.

Today I went and bought a harmonica for myself, to play with (in more ways than one…) just for the fun of it. It will be done when I am on my own though, I doubt anyone else can stand listening to it

I have found a site where one can learn about harmonicas and harmonica playing.

Update May 3, 2007.
Web radio station Pandora is to block most non-US users accessing its service because of licensing constraints. Mounting pressure from record labels has forced the company to stop streaming music to countries where licensing deals have not been agreed.