The great Austin-based blues harmonica player Gary Primich passed away Sunday. He was only 49 years old. R.I.P. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5161644.html Blues harmonica player Gary Primich dies © 2007 The Associated Press AUSTIN — Harmonica player Gary Primich, whose soulful and proficient playing developed a strong following among blues fans in the United States and Europe, has died at age 49. The Austin-based musician died Sunday, ex-wife Tina Rosenzwieg told the Austin American-Statesman for a story posted Monday on its Web site. Primich's Web site also announced his death. The cause of death has not been released. Primich moved to Austin in the mid-1980s after growing up in Gary, Ind. His Web site touted his experience learning from blues players in Chicago in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He made two albums with the Mannish Boys, but was most successful as a solo artist. He recorded eight albums total for labels including Antone's, Black Top, Amazing and Flying Fish. "He had established himself all over the world as one of the most technically proficient harmonica players," fellow Austin musician Ted Roddy said. "He wrote great instrumentals that leaned toward organ jazz. It was like Jimmy Smith, only on harmonica." Rosenzwieg met Primich when they were students at the University of Indiana. She said the two remained close after their divorce. "Gary was the sweetest, smartest, hardest-working harp player in the world," she said.
