artist info

"Mark Hummel Is A Harmonica God!" - Blues Review Magazine

WINNER! 35th Blues Music Awards 2014 for:

Best Blues Album of the Year & Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year

NOMINATIONS! Blues Music Awards for:

2015 Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica & Best Traditional Blues Album – The Hustle Is Really On

Grammy winner, 20-time Blues Award winner, author, harp man Mark Hummel has 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 Blues Traditional Blues CD at Blues Music Awards in Memphis. Mark's, The Hustle Is Really On climbed to # 2 this year and stayed in the top five for four months in the Living Blues Radio Charts. Hummel's book BIG ROAD BLUES: 12 Bars on I-80, has been garnering rave reviews all around the U.S., and was nominated for best Independent Book release.

Mark Hummel started playing harmonica in 1970 & has gone on to become 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 Hummel started in 1991. These events 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.

Besides the Blowouts Hummel has continued the Blues Survivors plus an All Star side project called Golden State/Lone Star Revue w/Anson Funderburgh & Little Charlie Baty. This group appears on Hummel's brand new ElectroFi CD The Hustle Is Really On.

The 2018 Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout will be a Chicago Blues Celebration featuring many of the top shelf musicians still playing the celebrated art form in its purity. From 59 year old session guitar extraordinaire Billy Flynn to 83 year old harp master Billy Boy Arnold, this show will be a many faceted showcase of African American talent in the blues.

Billy Boy Arnold is a Chicago native who learned harmonica at the feet of John Lee" Sonny Boy" Williamson. Billy's first band was with Ellis McDaniel as he became Bo Diddley (Arnold gave him the moniker). Billy played harp on Bo's first Chess record" I'm a Man". Arnold signed with Vee Jay Records soon after to produce hits that groups in the UK picked up on, like The Yardbirds, David Bowie, Stones & later bands like Fabulous Thunderbirds & Blasters. Billy is in the Blues Hall of Fame & a two time Grammy Nominee.

John Primer is a guitar player/singer from Mississippi who moved to Chicago in 1957. Primer learned guitar from Sammy Lawhorn, plus soon got Sam's old spot in Muddy Water's last group. John can be seen in the Stones DVD sitting in with Muddy at the Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago. John later became Magic Slim's bandleader of the Teardrops for many years before starting his own group. John's discography is a long one-James Cotton, Muddy, Slim, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, two Grammy Nominations & two Blues Awards.

Deitra Farr is one of the most popular blues women out of the Windy City and a major attraction in Europe. Coming up thru guidance from Erwin Helfer, Steve Freund, Sunnyland Slim, Mississippi Heat, Deitra just won the prestigious Koko Taylor Jus Blues Award, plus a spot in the Chicago Hall Of Fame. Deitra is a showstopper.

Cash Box King's Oscar Wilson hails from the South Side of Chicago, where he came up around the real blues. Oscar's vocals are in the vein of Muddy, Jimmy Rogers, Lightnin Hopkins & John Lee Hooker-deep blues. Wilson has recorded the Kings three CDs on Blind Pig & now, Alligator Records.

Harp Blower RJ Mischo is a top shelf Harmonica man hails from the Twin Cities but now resides in Southern California. Mischo has toured the US and internationally for three decades and has many international releases under his own name. RJ's music has been heard in TV shows like Son Of Anarchy, Discovery Channel and commercials. Mischo is sponsored by Hohner Harmonicas.

Guitarist Billy Flynn recorded on Beyonce's Grammy winning version of "At Last" from the film Cadillac Records. Flynn played on the entire soundtrack. Billy's newest is on Delmark Records, & receiving rave reviews. Deitra Farr sings on the title track with Billy. Flynn has recorded with Legendary Blues Band,Cash Box Kings, Otis Rush, Jimmy Dawkins, Kim Wilson, Mark Hummel plus dozens of Delmark recording sessions.

Grammy nominee, Two time Blues Music Award winner Mark Hummel has been playing harp since 1972, recorded over 25 records, plus touring since 1984 all over the world. Hummel wrote a book "Big Road Blues:12 Bars on I-80" in 2008 about his exploits. Hummel has been organizing the Blowouts since 1991, featuring a who's who of famed players. Bob Welsh( Elvin Bishop) will play guitar/piano. June Core( Charlie Musselwhite) on drums & RW Grigsby is playing bass.