Biography
Leo Diamond stood out as the leading harmonica virtuoso active during the high-fidelity LP period. After earlier experience on flute and piccolo, he captured first place in a harmonica competition alongside Edwin Franko Goldman's ensemble at Central Park in New York City. That victory opened an 18-year tenure with Borrah Minevitch's Harmonica Rascals, after which Diamond assembled his own group, the Harmonaires. The move drew him to Hollywood for screen appearances in Coney Island, As Thousands Cheer, Seven Days Leave, and Sweet Rosie O'Grady. His harmonica contributions also graced the soundtracks of Calamity Jane, Eddie Cantor Story, Living It Up, and Miss Sadie Thompson.
In 1956 Diamond joined conductor Murray Kellner to document the definitive harmonica work Skin Diver Suite. Although Side Two follows conventional material, "The Skin Divers" presents his extended orchestral vision, augmented by aquatic effects. The project marked the opening effort in a series of recordings whose aim was to raise the harmonica above its reputation as a transient amusement toward the status of a polished solo voice. Shortly afterward he cut the hit single "Off Shore," which later entered the standard repertoire.
Across a modest catalog Diamond produced harmonica-fronted orchestral pop sets that were striking yet restrained. Seeking contrast to the instrument's inherent earthiness, he gravitated toward exotica, drawing on music inspired by Oceana, and toward continental standards from France and Italy. Even so, the repertoire, or perhaps the unremarkable charts typical of most Leo Diamond releases, only highlighted the instrument's uneasy fit. Extraneous sonic embellishments, reaching their oddest expression on Subliminal Sounds, likewise failed to integrate the harmonica with either the chosen pieces or the accompanying ensemble.
Like the accordion and organ, the harmonica elicits strong affection or aversion. Yet unlike other polarizing instruments, it has attracted only a handful of genuinely gifted and imaginative practitioners. The Harmonicats and Leo Diamond each delivered occasional standout passages, yet the harmonica itself never generated genuine musical enchantment. Diamond's achievement lay in securing lavish, inventive productions for albums built around his chosen instrument.
In 1956 Diamond joined conductor Murray Kellner to document the definitive harmonica work Skin Diver Suite. Although Side Two follows conventional material, "The Skin Divers" presents his extended orchestral vision, augmented by aquatic effects. The project marked the opening effort in a series of recordings whose aim was to raise the harmonica above its reputation as a transient amusement toward the status of a polished solo voice. Shortly afterward he cut the hit single "Off Shore," which later entered the standard repertoire.
Across a modest catalog Diamond produced harmonica-fronted orchestral pop sets that were striking yet restrained. Seeking contrast to the instrument's inherent earthiness, he gravitated toward exotica, drawing on music inspired by Oceana, and toward continental standards from France and Italy. Even so, the repertoire, or perhaps the unremarkable charts typical of most Leo Diamond releases, only highlighted the instrument's uneasy fit. Extraneous sonic embellishments, reaching their oddest expression on Subliminal Sounds, likewise failed to integrate the harmonica with either the chosen pieces or the accompanying ensemble.
Like the accordion and organ, the harmonica elicits strong affection or aversion. Yet unlike other polarizing instruments, it has attracted only a handful of genuinely gifted and imaginative practitioners. The Harmonicats and Leo Diamond each delivered occasional standout passages, yet the harmonica itself never generated genuine musical enchantment. Diamond's achievement lay in securing lavish, inventive productions for albums built around his chosen instrument.
Albums