Biography

David's email: davidnaiditch@charter.net

Links to other AirPlay Direct albums:
NEW Click here for the "Bluegrass that Swings” album
Click here for the "Bluegrass Harmonica” album
Click here for the "Douce Ambiance: Gypsy Jazz Classics" album
Click here to view APD's Global Radio Showcase Volume 2 - Bluegrass

Other links
Click here for YouTube Videos
Click here for David’s facebook profile
Click here for David’s facebook harmonica page
Click here for Soundcloud

Tunes on "Bluegrass in the Backwoods" album
1. Bluegrass in the Backwoods (4:06, Kenny Baker)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Christian Ward on fiddle
Dennis Caplinger on banjo

2. Gardenia Waltz (5:26, Johnny Gimble)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Rob Ickes on dobro
Jake Workman on guitar
Christian Ward on fiddle

3. New Camptown Races (5:23, Frank Wakefield)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Stuart Duncan on fiddle
Rob Ickes on dobro
Jake Workman on guitar
Sierra Hull on mandolin
Dennis Caplinger on banjo

4. Lonesome Moonlight Waltz (5:26, Kenny Baker)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Stuart Duncan on fiddle
Rob Ickes on dobro

5. Little Rock Getaway (3:14, Joe Sullivan)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Jake Workman on guitar
Sierra Hull on mandolin
Dennis Caplinger on banjo
Christian Ward on fiddle
Rob Ickes on dobro

6. Jerusalem Ridge (4:36, Bill Monroe)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Jake Workman on guitar
Ron Block on banjo
Christian Ward on fiddle

7. Old Dangerfield (5:51, Kenny Baker)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Rob Ickes on dobro
Jake Workman on guitar
Sierra Hull on mandolin
Dennis Caplinger on banjo
Christian Ward on fiddle

8. The Smooch on the Porch & Bus Stop Reel
(3:28, Anita Anderson)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Sierra Hull on mandolin
Jake Workman on guitar

9. Dead Cedar Waltz (3:16, Andy Hall)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Steve Trovato on guitar
Christian Ward on fiddle

10. Jamboree (3:59, Andy Belling)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Rob Ickes on dobro
Jake Workman on guitar
Sierra Hull on mandolin
Dennis Caplinger on banjo
Christian Ward on fiddle

11. Montana Skies (4:05, Raul Reynoso)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Steve Trovato on guitar

12. Road to Columbus (3:54, Kenny Baker)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Christian Ward on fiddle
Eric Uglum on guitar
Rob Ickes on dobro
Ron Block on banjo

13. Coquette (3:49, Carmen Lombardo)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Jon Kip on chromatic harmonica
(David takes the head & 1st solo,
Jon takes the 2nd solo, then they trade off)
Jeff Radaich on rhythm guitar

14. Faded Love (3:59, Bob Wills)
David Naiditch on chromatic harmonica
Christian Ward on fiddle
Steve Trovato on guitar

About this album
Award: "Bluegrass in the Backwoods" was the 14th annual Independent Music Awards (IMA) VOX Pop winner for the bluegrass album of the year.

Studio: Eric Uglum’s New Wine Recording Studio & Mastering Lab

David Naiditch plays all the tunes on this album with C-tuned chromatic harmonicas, mostly the Seydel Saxony and Hohner CX-12 Jazz. The harmonica harmonies on Jerusalem Ridge and Faded Love were produced with multiple harmonica tracks.

The other musicians on this album are among the finest bluegrass virtuosos: Stuart Duncan, Sierra Hull, Rob Ickes, Jake Workman, Ron Block, Dennis Capblinger, and Christian Ward.

Harmonica used in bluegrass
David Naiditch once half-jokingly remarked that harmonica players are about as welcome at bluegrass jams as the mosquitoes that come out to feast. Indeed, many bluegrass folks consider the harmonica a questionable instrument, although it is certainly better established in bluegrass than instruments such as the clarinet or saxophone. Harmonica player Mike Stevens recorded with Jim and Jesse McReynolds; Charlie McCoy, with Flatt and Scruggs; Buddy Greene, with Bryan Sutton, Aubrey Haynie, Ron Block, and Stuart Duncan; PT Gazell, with Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs; and WV. Ryan Rightmire, with the Del McCoury Band.

What makes David’s approach different is that, unlike other bluegrass harmonica players who use diatonic harmonicas, David exclusively uses the chromatic harmonica. When played well, the chromatic harmonica can produce a sweet, fiddle-like sound and handle fast, intricate melodies. Since David uses a C chromatic to play in all keys, he can deal with tricky chord changes and key transitions without having to quickly switch harmonicas. Since the chromatic provides all the notes without having to bend or over-blow, the timbre of each note isn’t dictated by the instrument, but is controlled by the player. David believes that keeping the same tone and timbre throughout a tune is often desirable in bluegrass.

David's Bio
David has been part of the Los Angeles music scene for many years. He started with the blues and eventually delved into other genres: bluegrass, country swing, and Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy jazz.

David’s musical journey began in the early ‘60s, when he was tutored on the diatonic harmonica by the legendary blues icon Sonny Terry. In the mid-1960s, David taught harmonica at the Ashgrove, a club that was the focal point of the Los Angeles folk music revival. Years later, David taught and performed at other venues in the Los Angeles area, such as McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Boulevard Music, the Coffee Gallery Backstage, and Viva Cantina.

In the mid-’90s, David started focusing on the chromatic harmonica. He honed his skills by attending numerous music jams and gigs, armed only with a chromatic in the key of C. By playing in all keys, David became comfortable playing by ear and improvising in many styles of music.

In 2005, David produced and played harmonica and guitar on his first CD, "Harmonica and Guitar Duets," which covers diverse types of music, including blues, swing, Klezmer, ragtime, and country. In 2008, David produced the CD, "High Desert Bluegrass Sessions," with bluegrass greats, banjoist Pat Cloud, guitarist Eric Uglum, fiddler Christian Ward, and bassist Austin Ward. In 2010, David released "Bluegrass Harmonica," which features his harmonica, and includes virtuoso breaks by Pat Cloud, Eric Uglum, and guitarist Steve Trovato. In 2012, David released "Douce Ambiance: Gypsy Jazz Classics," featuring his jazz harmonica with the fiery guitar lines of Gonzalo Bergara, and the jazz 5-string banjo playing of Pat Cloud. In 2014, David released the instrumental CD, "Bluegrass in the Backwoods," featuring virtuosos Rob Ickes, Stuart Duncan, Ron Block, Dennis Caplinger, Sierra Hull, Christian Ward, Jake Workman, and others. In 2017, David plans to release another bluegrass instrumental CD, featuring Stuart Duncan, Sierra Hull, Jake Workman, Rob Ickes, and others.

YouTube videos featuring music from this album