Gary Primich dies

2007-09-24 14:11:00

Gary Primich passed away today. He was not only a great harp player, but he was my friend. He was the smartest harp player that I ever met and he had a great gift for teaching. He could step into your position and see what you needed to do to improve. I spent two different weeks with him in Elkins, West Virginia, learning blues harp. After dinner we'd hang out in on the front steps of the dorm, drinking beer, playing harp and just chewing the fat into the wee hours of the morning.

He was an intense and interesting player. I've worn out several of his CDs and I bought a second copy of his instructional tape because the first one was borrowed and never given back.

I felt like Gary was another one of my brothers. I wanted to go back and hang with him one more time at Elkins, and for some reason never did.

Gary, you will be missed!

Musician Gary Primich dies | Austin Music Source

There are generally two types of harmonica players; ones who have amazing technique and those who can play with a low-down soulful intensity. Gary Primich was both. The blues great died Sunday in Austin, his ex-wife Tina Rosenzwieg confirmed Monday. He was 49. The Travis County medical examiner's office would not release information pending the notification of the next of kin.