Calvin Stokes is not your typical jazz musician. Then again, he is not your typical human being either. Our first conversation involved angels, Fundamentalism, cryogenics, and the sexiest movie stars alive. Calvin lives and works in Cleveland and is known, in times of dire peril when the culture of the city is in danger, to take off his shoes and play the harp. But we're not talking about the harmonica here; think backwards, far, far backwards in time. Or think of the Pearly Gates, and recreational activities therein. Get ready for all you could ever possibly want to know about the 12-tone compensation system of the Harp vs. Piano, but never even thought to ask. Get ready for the tasteful musical world of Calvin Stokes.

So, to set the stage, you are an African-American male who plays the classical harp in his barefeet. Was it always your goal to be an iconoclast?
Well...um...[reaching for a dictionary]...Oh! So that's what iconoclast means. Well, no, not really. I sort of stumbled into the harp. I was actually a flutist before I started harp. My high school, Cass Technical High School in Detroit [alma mater of Diana Ross, Lily Tomlin, Andrew Young], has a harp department. I got in an argument with a harpist about which instrument was harder, flute or harp. So, I took up the harp...which is much harder than flute, by the way. Oh, and to set the record straight, I am primarily a jazz harpist now, although I still occasionally perform classical concerts. However, it's always a bit of concern for me that I might be falling into the stereotype of "Oh, Black harpist, of course he plays jazz." That's why I usually throw in a classical piece on my concerts.

By the way, one who plays the flute is a flautist. Is there a name for a harp player?
A name for a harp player? I think "Lord and Master" is acceptable. Well, I already answered this BUT for clarification, unless you're speaking Italian, it's not really a "flautist." That all came about because Italian for "flute" is "flauto," hence, "flautist." To quote Jean-Pierre Rampal...or someone..."I play a flute, therefore I am a flutist." Or something like that.

I know that there are guitars that feature 8 or twelve strings. Are there different varieties of harps as well? Is there an 'electric harp' and do you aspire to be a Hendrix of sorts on that instrument?
Yes, there are different types of harps; lap, lever, pedal, chromatic, Paraguayan, double-strung, etc. Other than size (number of strings, etc.), the primary categories are pedal, lever, or neither. MUSIC THEORY ALERT!!! Western music is composed using 12 tones (the white and black keys of a piano). The harp categories are designated by how the harp tries to (or not) deal with creating 12 tones. Some harps don't try to do this at all. They are the equivalent of having a piano with only white keys. You can only play songs using the notes that you have. The lever harps have...well...levers...that are used to change the pitch of a string. Therefore, each string can produce two tones; one with the lever down (the lower pitch) and one with the lever up (the higher pitch). Using this, you can play many more songs. Additionally, these levers can be changed in the middle of a song, and usually are. Pedal harps deal with the 12 tones by adding seven pedals, each representing a note (C,D,E,F,G,A, and B). If the G pedal is up, all the Gs on the harp are flat, middle = G natural, down = G Sharp. Therefore, each string can product three tones. Upside is that you don't have to use a hand to move a lever. Downside is that if the D pedal is up, there is no D Natural on the harp....anywhere. As for "electric harp," yes they do exist and that is what I have. Basically, it is a regular harp with a small microphone on every string. As for Hendrix, no, I have no desire for that, I still haven't conquered the instrument enough to start trying to break the mold. To quote Picasso, or someone, "You have to master the rules before you can break them."

I have to imagine hauling a harp around for shows is not the easist of work. Do you have a roadie or does your harp come apart for travel? How tall is it and how much does it weigh?
It's not always about size, you know. I must admit that lugging the harp around is not as inconsequential as it used to be. The older I get, the more annoyed I am by it. No, I do the hauling myself...although, a roadie would be nice. No, the harp doesn't come apart. My electric is 73½ inches tall, 38½ wide, and 81 pounds; basically, the dimensions of a twin bed. Oh, and since most people ask, pedal harps can run you from $10,000 to $40,000.

Assuming that you started playing in your youth, what kind of feedback or ribbing did you get from your peers, for playing the harp? Were you a band nerd?
Yes, I was a 'band nerd.' However, at that point, it was primarily flute. I was lucky, my high school was special. I don't think Cleveland has an equivalent. It is a public school, but you must apply to get in and then declare a major. I started as a Computer Programming major before switching over to an Advocational Music major which is basically a Science major with a Music minor. Since everyone had to declare a major, everyone had a niche. It was all very Fame. So, no ribbing occurred, everyone just did their thing.

Who do you really admire in the world of international harpistry?
Congrats!! You are the first interviewer to ask that. First, I'm going to limit my answer to "jazz harpists." There is this amazing harpist in New York named Park Stickney. He can kick the harp's ass! Then there is Deborah Henson-Conant, innovator extraordinaire. Then there is Cindy Horstman, who I really like. She's probably the only harpist I don't listen to with 'Harpist's Ears.' I just like her stuff. Although, I think the best is a lady by the name of Dorothy Ashby.

I know that you have a regular standing gig at the Cleveland Art Museum. What's the situation there with your music?
Oddly, they are the reason I'm a jazz harpist. Ready for this? Cut back many years to a young Calvin playing harp at a bookstore. It was the typical background stuff, so I threw in some jazz tunes. A guy I know heard me and wanted me to play jazz tunes at his wedding reception. At the reception, a friend of his who worked with the Art Museum heard me play the jazz tunes. One day, the Art Museum mused, "Wouldn't it be great to have a jazz harpist play this event. You wouldn't happen to know of any, would you?" And the rest is history.

I imagine you get calls to play at opulent charity events and weddings. What's the oddest scenario where you have found yourself playing your music?
Yes, I get those calls. The two worst things to say to me are, "It's a good cause," (they all are) and "It'll be good exposure" (unless Quincy Jones is going to be there, it won't be). I've never really had any odd gigs. The closest would be a recent funeral I played for a friend's mother. They requested all Tom Jones music. I must admit the juxtaposition of Tom Jones in a Catholic church was odd. However, "What's New Pussycat" actually works well on the harp.

Why the barefeet when you play?
Aahhhh, since we've had the explanation about the different types of harps, this will make sense. Since I play the pedal harp, I have to move pedals with my feet. Since I play jazz, I often have to move multiple pedals at the same time. This is something that you have happen in classical harp literature. Long story short, I can't do that with shoes on. Besides, I practice in my bare feet, why not perform that way? Are you trying to say I have ugly feet?

I like the syncopated music you play to accompany your playing. That's a great idea and very refreshing. Ever thought of producing a Hooked on Harp Classics CD?
NO! I'm not usually a fan of that type of thing. Although, I did hear a house version of "Carmina Burana" which I liked a lot...I carry shame to this day.

But seriously, you have recorded your music. How many recordings are out there and available for buyers? Where can they be purchased?
One recording is called Free. It's an "eclectic blend of R&B and Latin Jazz." Any record store...oops! showed my age....any CD store can order it. You can also order it off of Amazon.com.

What kind of person seems to enjoy your music and performances the most?
Another interview first...I don't really know how to answer that. I think it all depends on the type of show. For example, the Art Museum gig was 7-piece band playing smooth jazz. The Berea Summer Fest was 3-piece trio playing straight-ahead jazz. So, it depends. The only thing in common for all of my shows is the phrase, "I never knew a harp could do that."

As a man of color, do you find yourself in any way serving as a boundary-breaker by performing on the harp, which I at least have usually considered an instrument for nymphs, dryads, and goddesses-in-waiting?
So a Black man can't be any of those things....oh, I guess not. Only interviewers ask that question. I suppose it comes up, but I never hear about it. It's not really anything I'm intentionally trying to do. Although, I am amused when people I've only e-mailed/chatted with on the phone meet me in person. I love that "Oh, you're a big, Black man" pause.

What's the highest accolade or honor you have acheived thus far in terms of your music and harp-playing?
One would think it would be performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra or winning the 1995 JazzFest International Jazz Harp Competition. Honestly, the highest accolade I get is when I play with a real jazz musician for the first time and get that look of respect. I know that they've never heard of "jazz harp" and are expecting some dainty playing. So, afterwards, when I get that nod and the "Man, you're really good with that," I really feel honored.

When can cool Clevelanders get the next chance to hear you perform?
The summer season is over, so the next thing is a classical concert on November 5th. I've basically done everything that I ever wanted to do classically-speaking. (I suppose I should mention that I have a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.) However, I recently was presented with an opportunity to cross a couple more things off, so I'm gearing up for that.

Lastly, can you share an interesting or humorous annecdote that has been involved with your harp?
Oh, I wish I had one, but I don't. They all add up to, "Calvin shows up, Calvin plays, Calvin gets paid, Calvin leaves."

from Cool Cleveland music correspondent Daiv Whaley

Image by Daniel Milner (:divend:)