Tag Archives: James Harman

Mark Answers Listener Questions



Grammy Nominee, Blues Award Winner, Author, Harp Man Mark Hummel had a banner year in 2014. Grammy Nominated for his Remembering Little Walter CD he produced and performed on, Mark also won Best Blues CD and Best Traditional Blues CD at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN. Mark’s The Hustle Is Really On climbed to #2 and stayed in the top five for four months on the Living Blues Radio Charts. Hummel’s book “BIG ROAD BLUES:12 Bars on I-80” garnered rave reviews and was nominated for best Independent Book release. Mark Hummel started playing harmonica in 1970 and is considered one of the premier blues harmonica players of his generation. Thanks to over thirty recordings since 1985, including the Grammy nominated 2013 release Blind Pig recording Remembering Little Walter (part of the Blues Harmonica Blowout CD series). Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowout™ started in 1991 and have featured every major legend (Mayall, Musselwhite, Cotton, etc.) on blues harp as well as almost every player of note on the instrument – a who’s who of players. Hummel is a road warrior – a true Blues Survivor. Along the way, he has crafted his own trademark harmonica sound – a subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack combined with a strong sense of swing. Mark has been with Electro Fi Records since 2000, releasing five CDs. Thanks to Mark’s earlier albums, constant touring and appearances at the major blues festivals, he’s firmly established his solid reputation around the US and Europe. Born in New Haven, CT but raised in Los Angeles. Mark moved to Berkeley at age 18 to pursue a career in blues music, where he felt the music was taken more seriously. Mark started the Blues Survivors in 1977 with Mississippi Johnny Waters. By 1984 Hummel began a life of non- stop touring of the US, Canada and overseas, which he still continues at least 130-150 days out of each year. Hummel has toured or recorded with blues legends Charles Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Lowell Fulson, Billy Boy Arnold, Carey Bell, Lazy Lester, Brownie McGhee, Eddie Taylor, Luther Tucker and Jimmy Rogers.

www.markhummel.com


Harmonica Great: Corky Siegel



Corky Siegel is known internationally as one of the worlds great blues harmonica players, blues pianist, singer-songwriter, creator of CHAMBER BLUES and the sole pioneer/composer of award-winning revolutionary works that weave blues and classical forms together. Co-founder of the SIEGEL-SCHWALL BAND, and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Corky Siegel has a catalogue of recordings on RCA, Vanguard, Alligator, and million selling blues/classical recordings on the iconic classical label Deutsche Grammophon. His close associations with the blues masters in the earlier days of Chicago blues, his essential part in the blues rock revolution, and his surprising success in bringing together blues and classical audiences make him a pivotal (though inconspicuous) figure in modern music history. “under appreciated national treasure” – DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE. 

Corky Siegel


Live from The Backroom in Berkeley California



Mark Hummel brings together some of the top blues players in history for his Chicago Blues Party at the Backroom in Berkeley California.  The supergroup includes:

Mark Hummel – Harmonica/Vocals

Oscar Wilson – Vocals

Joe Beard – Guitar/Vocals

Billy Flynn – Guitar

Wes Starr – Drums

Randy Bermudes – Bass


Special Guest: Mark Wenner



THE NIGHTHAWKS
Mark Wenner: Vocals, Harmonica
Mark Stutso: Drums, Vocals
Paul Pisciotta: Bass
Dan Hovey: Guitar, Vocals

The Nighthawks was an idea in Mark Wenner’s brain long before he was able to implement it. The musical product of pre-1958 radio in Washington, D.C., he did not know there were rules against mixing blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly into one delicious stew.

http://thenighthawks.com

http://www.markhummel.com


Special Guest: Barry Goldberg



Barry Joseph Goldberg is an American blues and rock keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer. Goldberg has co-produced albums by Percy Sledge, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, and the Textones, plus Bob Dylan’s version of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready”.

barrygoldbergmusic.com

http://markhummel.com


Special Guest Terry Hanck



#elvinbishop #terryhanck #blues #funk

erry Hanck is an American electric blues saxophonist, singer, songwriter and record producer, who won a Blues Music Award in 2016 in the ‘Instrumentalist – Horn’ category. Previously Hanck earned both a Blues Music Award and a Living Blues Award for ‘Best Horn’ in 2012, and was nominated for the latter prize in the ‘Best Song’ category. In May 2015, he won the International Songwriting Competition for his soul ballad, “I Keep On Holding On.” Born in Chicago, Hanck was influenced by the blues, soul and jazz of the 1950s and early 1960s. After moving to California in 1965, Hanck later toured with Elvin Bishop for over a decade, before leaving to tour and record with his own band for now almost 30 years.

Living Blues writer Lee Hildebrand has written that “Hanck is one of the most formidable saxophonists in the blues and soul business. He has a virile tone and attack and an uncanny command of upper-register notes.”

www.terryhanck.net

Mark Hummel

Patreon

Accidental Productions https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOOnWFbj8SGiV34ixhO0Cwg


Special Guest: Magic Dick



Magic Dick, (Richard Salwitz) plays harmonica for the J. Geils Band.

Salwitz was born in New London, Connecticut. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he met John “J.” Geils and Danny Klein and became a founding member of the J. Geils Band in 1965. Salwitz’s harmonica playing became a major and distinctive element in the J. Geils Band’s sound during their hard-rocking 1970s heyday. His performance of “Whammer Jammer” on the band’s live album Full Househas been particularly noted. In The Rolling Stone Record Guide (1979), music critic Dave Marsh described Salwitz as possibly “the best white musician to ever play blues harmonica.” He was often referred to as “Magic Dick and his Lickin’ Stick”.

Mark Hummel

Patreon

Accidental Productions https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOOnWFbj8SGiV34ixhO0Cwg


Special Guests: Kid Andersen & Wes Starr



#greaseland #robertcray #wesstarr

Mark sits down at Greaseland Studios with guitarist/producer Kid Andersen ( Charlie Musselwhite, Rick Estrin, Little Charlie,Terry Hanck)  and legendary drummer Wes Starr. (Asleep at the Wheel, Hal Ketchum, Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets, Omar and The Howlers).

The guys talk about their attraction to the Blues and their journey to California. Kid began playing as a younth in Norway and came to the US at the invitation of Terry Hanck.  Wes was raised in Georgia and was exposed to the best of the blues. Wes made it to California via Nashville & Austin among other stops.

The guys also open up about sobriety and their path to becoming a sober performer and the challenges of staying sober on the road and in an industry that expects abuse.

Mark Hummel www.markhummel.com

Greaseland Studios https://www.facebook.com/Greaseland/

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/markhummel

Accidental Productions https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOOnWFbj8SGiV34ixhO0Cwg


Special Guest: Curtis Salgado



Mark talks with long time friend and Harmonica Blowout veteran Curtis Salgado.  They talk about starting out in music, their influences, and Curtis bringing John Belushi & The Blues Brothers their biggest hit; “Hey Bartender”. Please like and subscribe and consider joining us on Patreon . Mark Hummel’s Website Produced by Accidental Productions Please check out our sponsors and affiliates. Seydel Harmonicas Electro Fi Records


Special Guest Junior Watson Pt 2



Part 2 of Mark’s discussion with West Coast blues guitarist Junior Watson. Junior discusses his influences and his time in and touring with The Mighty Flyers, Canned Heat and many others.  Junior has played in more than 200 recording sessions including sessions with Mark. Junior’s new CD Nothin To It But To Do It is available now.

Check out Juniors new CD Nothin To It But To Do It

Mark Hummel’s Website

Produced by Accidental Productions

For a video version please visit  Mark Hummel’s Harmonica Party on YouTube

Please check out our sponsors and affiliates.

Seydel Harmonicas

Electro Fi Records

Mountain Top Productions & Records