“Mark Hummel is one of the very top notch guys on the Blues Harmonica scene today.
He’s a great traditional player”
- Billy Boy Arnold
Grammy Award Nominee and Winner of two Blues Music Awards, 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. Read Full Bio
Signed CD - True Believer on Rockinitus Records set for release in June. This CD includes all new recordings and features Junior Watson, Billy Flynn, Oscar Wilson, Joe Beard, Bob Welsh, Wes Starr, Kedar Roy, Randy Bermudes and more.
“Mark Hummel knocks it out of the park Again with True Believer! This man has been recording and bringing the top players in blues music for 39 years. You can’t go that long unless you have the respect of the best in the business. And Mark has it.”
~ Curtis Salgado
“Mark Hummel is a true master. His tone, phrasing and, most of all, his soul are all part of what makes him one of the most important purveyors of blues harmonica.”
~ Chris Cain
“It’s so nice to hear straight ahead blues instead of blues rock bs! You got some good tunes and I applaud Mark for doing Elvin’s tune “What The Hell”!!!!!”
~ Charlie Musselwhite
“During the half a century and counting of his blues odyssey, Mark Hummel has pretty much done it all: gigs around the globe, often presenting packages which provide work and exposure for many cohorts and adding up to uncountable road miles; a hefty catalog of solid, rousing and well-informed recordings with a Grammy Award and other honors to show for it; and seeing his band serve as a launching pad or boost to numerous careers.
Hummel's latest album “True Believer”, recorded at Kid Andersen's Greaseland studio, is an affirmation of Mark's ongoing taste in accompanists (including Junior Watson, Billy Flynn, and Bob Welsh, blues veterans Oscar Wilson and Joe Beard and some longtime rhythm section stalwarts). The illustrious crew honors some timeless material by Otis Rush, B.B. King, Little Walter, Fleetwood Mac and Elvin Bishop, and an enjoyable quotient of his own witty and up-to-the-minute compositions. The blues life isn't an easy one; it takes a sense of calling and a whole lot of toughness and perseverance. The smiles, chills and foot tapping induced by this new high water mark are testimony that our listening and the blues world are better because Mark Hummel is a true believer.”
~ Dick Shurman
“This is a very good bunch of songs. The recordings sound great and all the players are top notch and played really well. I enjoyed listening to this recording numerous times in a row. Mark’s singing is particularly good on these songs and his harp playing has great command and confidence. This may be the best yet from Mark!”
~ Magic Dick
VOTE HERE for the 2024 Living Blues Awards. Ballots must be received by June 15, 2024.
Mark Hummel will be playing on Thursdays when he's in town at Canyons BBQ in Castro Valley from 5-7PM. The first three shows in May are with Steve Freund. Check out the TOUR Page for dates.
