“Classic Harmonica Blues,” out on May 21, features 20 tracks by the blues’ greatest harmonica players. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings In the early 20th-century, southern ...

Every Monday at 5:30 p.m. Phil Kaplan walks into Newton North High School’s film lecture hall, grabs a “harp,” and teaches seven adults how to play the blues.

And, though the blues gets pretty deep in this song, you'll also hear homage paid to at least two immortal jazz compositions: Erskine Hawkins' "After Hours" and Thelonious Monk 's "Blue Monk." ...