Who is Bob Hoffman
I am a retired attorney living with my family in Washington DC. near the National Zoo.
I started playing the harmonica in 2003.
Since 2004, I have commissioned artists/crafters to create “boxes/cases” specifically designed to hold a harmonica.
I now have the world’s largest collection of originally handcrafted harmonica cases.
The collection contains over 500 harmonica cases that are created from many different types of materials - wood; glass; metal; beads; eggshell; fabric; plastic; bone; zippers; clay, etc, etc
The process I follow is to provide a set of general “design guidelines” and co-design the cases with commissioned artists both nationally and internationally
Over the past few years I have curated exhibitions/shows of this unique collection throughout the country.
I have published three books containing photographs of the collection.
I am available to exhibit the cases as appropriate- keeping in mind that nothing is for sale - everything in my collection is for display only.
Hoff is More Than Harmonica Cases
See Some Other Life Experiences Below
From Avoiding to Embracing Death
The Death Diaries * Starring Hoff
On this episode we hear from Hoff, who shares with us his journey from avoiding death to embracing it. You'll learn how he's channeled it to create a healthier and happier lifestyle while preparing for his own death.
(30 minutes)
NEWSY Network "The Harmonica Case Man" - July 2019 (3 minutes)
An entertaining video news story from the NEWSY network. Shows interview of Hoff at home showing and explaining the world's largest collection of harmonica cases.
Hoff Travel to Peru / Machu Picchu - 2019 (4 minutes)
Follow Hoff on his voyage to Peru, and see the sites of Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu.
Woodstock - My Experience at the Historic 1969 Concert (8 minutes)
1969 was a very eventful year.
One key event occurred August 15-17 1969 - the historic Woodstock concert.- which actually took place in Bethel NY near the town of Woodstock.
Amazing footage of original event from someone who was there.
Hoff at 50 (20 minutes)
I was born in 1946. When I celebrated my 50th birthday in 1996, I organized a party for myself with friends and family. One of the major items of entertainment at the party was to show a video of the various stages of my life, from birth to age 50. Provides interesting background and insights.
Ethan Hoffman Retrospective/Memorial (15 minutes)
I had a brother who was a very highly regarded photojournalist. Unfortunately, he died in an accident at age 40 while on assignment shooting a magazine story. On the 25th anniversary of his death (2015) my sister and I produced a video of our brother Ethan Hoffman, to celebration his work and life.
Rock Around the Clock (2 minutes)
This is a brief video of me “singing” the ageless song “Rock Around the Clock”, originally performed by Bill Haley and the Comets. I have able accompaniment from my two sons (Eli on guitar) and Josh (on keyboards). It was produced before I started playing harmonica, so unfortunately there is no harmonica solo to be found.
Weatherman Audition (1 minute)
I worked as an attorney for 25 for the large non-profit organization AARP. When I retired in 2014, I was asked by many of my colleagues about my retirement plans. I told them one goal in retirement was that I wanted to be a part-time TV Weatherman. Therefore, to show my passion for this, I produced this weatherman audition interview with the assistance of the local NBC affiliate TV station in Washington DC.