Magic Dick

Magic Dick

Magic Dick is the stage name of Richard Salwitz, a blues harmonica player from New London, United States, born in 1945. He is best known for his work with The J. Geils Band, and he also performs on trumpet and saxophone. The trumpet is the first instrument he learns.

Career with The J. Geils Band

He attends Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he meets John “J” Geils and Danny Klein. In 1968, he becomes a founding member of The J. Geils Band. His harmonica playing becomes a distinctive part of the band’s sound during its hard-rock period in the 1970s.

His performance on “Whammer Jammer” from the live album Full House becomes particularly well known and is widely cited as a showcase for his harmonica technique. His playing on the six-minute “Detroit Breakdown” from the 1974 album Nightmares...and Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle is another notable example. On “You’re the Only One” from the 1977 album Monkey Island, one reviewer describes his part as sounding like Stevie Wonder at his most romantic.

Later work and Bluestime

After The J. Geils Band splits in 1985, Salwitz works on a harmonica design of his own called the “Magic Harmonica”, which he co-invents with Pierre Beauregard. In 1992, he reunites with J. Geils to form Bluestime. The group features Steve Ramsey on drums, Jerry Miller on guitar, and Roy McCloud on bass, later replaced by Michael “Mudcat” Ward and then by John Turner. Bluestime combines Chicago blues and classic jazz, and tours extensively, including as part of B.B. King’s Bluesfest.

Collaborations

In 2007, Magic Dick contributes harmonica and some vocals to the live recording Command Performance by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue, which includes The Tommy Castro Band, Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and others. He also tours with the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue on blues cruises and on land-based shows.