Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout Celebrates the Windy City
By: Stephi Wild Dec. 20, 2017
Now an annual musical event in Folsom, Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout is a show no blues lover dares to miss. This year's all-star gathering will be a "Chicago Blues Celebration," and the lineup is straight Windy City: Billy Boy Arnold (Muddy Waters), John Primer (bandleader and lead guitarist for Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon), Mark Hummel, Deitra Farr (vocalist; Chicago Blues Hall of Fame), Oscar Wilson (Cash Box Kings), R.J. Mischo, Billy Flynn, June Core, RW Grisby, and Bob Welsh.
Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout returns to Stage One with "Chicago Blues Celebration" on Saturday, January 27, 2018; 7:30 pm. Tickets are $19-$39; Premium $45. $12 Students with ID. They are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. The Harris Center is located on the west side of the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.
This year's Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout, entitled "A Chicago Blues Celebration," features many of the top-shelf musicians who still play the celebrated art form of the blues in its pure form. >From 59 year-old session guitar extraordinaire Billy Flynn to 83 year-old harp master Billy Boy Arnold, this show is a many-faceted showcase of African American talent in the idiom.
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 were influenced by, like The Yardbirds, David Bowie, Stones and later bands like Fabulous Thunderbirds and the 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 through guidance from Erwin Helfer, Steve Freund, Sunnyland Slim, and 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 and John Lee Hooker's deep blues. Wilson has recorded the Kings three CDs on Blind Pig and now Alligator Records.
Harp blower RJ Mischo is a top-shelf Harmonica who 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 and is 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 and 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.
Filling out the band for the Folsom performance: Bob Welsh (Elvin Bishop) will play guitar/piano. June Core (Charlie Musselwhite) on drums and RW Grigsby will play bass.
Websites
Billy Boy Arnold
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Boy_Arnold
John Primer
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Primer
Deitra Farr
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deitra_Farr
Oscar Wilson
https://www.cashboxkings.com/bio
Plus
This Year Marks Seven Seasons of Great Shows. Up Close. In Folsom!
The Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College brings the community together to share in cultural experiences featuring the work of artists from throughout the region and around the world. Built and operated by the Los Rios Community College District, the $50 million, state-of-the-art regional performing arts center boasts three intimate venues with outstanding acoustics, an art gallery, a recording studio, elegant teaching spaces, plenty of safe parking and all the other amenities of a world-class performing arts venue. Each year the Center hosts approximately 400 events attracting upwards of 150,000 annually.
Tickets are available online at www.HarrisCenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time.
Photo Credit: Bob Hakins
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