Meet the Executive Team Sam Wilkinson, Joint Vice-Chair Sam ‘Sammy Boy’ Wilkinson is best known for organising the Lockdown Sessions. He got a tremolo when he was three and dabbled in playing the harp in his teens and twenties, until making a serious effort to play in the late noughties. He is also a keen bass player. His main claim to fame is appearing on Eggheads (Series 21, Episode 38 - it’s on Youtube). His favourite foods are sausages and custard, but not necessarily on the same plate.
Phil Leiwy, Treasurer Phil is a practising chartered accountant. Phil is very interesting, especially when he’s talking figures. His Excel spreadsheets are colour-coded. Getting him to spend HarmonicaUK money is like pulling teeth. In his spare time, Phil performs a cockney music/music hall act under his alter ego, Harmonica Lewinsky, playing guitar, playing harmonica in a brace, and singing. It’s not very good. His other interests are buying DIY tools from the middle of Lidl and telling people he’s going on holiday during lockdown. He’s on his third butler.
Richard Taylor, Joint Vice-Chair As a former travel professional, Richard rarely ventured abroad without a harmonica. He holds the world record for playing Stone Fox Chase at the most airport security checkpoints worldwide. Self-taught, Richard’s punk-blues style led to lesson requests, whereupon he started music teaching. He launched the Harp Surgery website, commenced weekly workshops, and co-founded the Harpin’ By The Sea annual harmonica festival. He also set up Harp Academy, teaching harmonica to 4-11 year old schoolchildren. Having joined the NHL in the 1980s, Richard is now a proud committee member of HarmonicaUK and happy to provide tips on harmonica travel safety.
Davina Brazier, Secretary Davina is a keen chromatic and woodwind player. She performs locally with a mixed wind ensemble and is also learning the piano accordion. Her background in healthcare management has helped to equip her for the secretary role. In her spare time, she does aerial circus, fire and flow arts, and rides a unicycle!
April - May 2021 • Harmonica.co.uk
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