Mark Hummel’s Tribute to Little Walter
January 25, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
$29 – $34Doors 6:30, show 7 pm. Open seating, beer and wine available. $29 Advance / $34 Day of Show
Little Walter was pretty much the Jimi Hendrix of the harmonica. He was the first person to use amplification and distortion effects for the harmonica, things that are taken for granted now. He is the only person inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a harmonica player. His impact on blues harmonica was immense, changing forever the way the “harp” was played in the blues. He was the harp player for Muddy Waters band during the 50s, and toured with the Rolling Stones. He had such an influence on the Stones, they released a blues album in 2016 (Blues & Lonesome) inspired by one of his songs.
“Little Walter was a true innovator whose influence can still be felt in the blues world today. This tribute is our way of honoring his legacy and introducing his music to a new generation of fans.” ~Mark Hummel
“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
The Little Walter tribute features Mark Hummel, Junior Watson, Kedar Roy, and Wes Starr.
Grammy-nominted Harmonica man/singer/songwriter/bandleader/author/impresario MARK HUMMEL was born in New Haven, CT but moved to Los Angeles as a newborn. Hummel took up an interest in blues harp & rock-blues music in high school but soon discovered the originators like Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson & Little Walter. Soon after, Hummel frequented the Ash Grove club on Melrose Ave. in LA where he saw (in a three month period) three blues legends he would later work with on a regular basis; Charlie Musselwhite, Brownie McGhee (w/Sonny Terry) & James Cotton. By 1985 Mark Hummel’s Blues Survivors hit the road full time & continue till the present (Hummel’s memoir, “Big Road Blues: 12 Bars on I-80” recounts many road exploits). Hummel’s been featured on over thirty recordings since 1985 including his 2014 Blind Pig Records, Remembering Little Walter (a recording of a Hummel Blues Harp Blowout.) The CD was nominated for a Grammy Award and won two Blues Music Awards.
With nearly forty years of experience, Junior Watson has reached cult status. His artist resume is as large as it is impressive. A founding member of The Mighty Flyers he stayed with the band for ten years. He then left to join Canned Heat for ten years. He then toured for a while with LA-based harmonica player/vocalist Lynwood Slim. All along the way he has backed up and recorded with the who’s-who of the blues. His list of musical endeavors include backing up and recording with Big Mama Thorton, George Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, William Clark and many more.
Wes Starr’s resume includes playing with: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, Jimmy Buffet, Delbert McClinton, Hal Ketchum, Blaze Foley, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Bob Dylan, Kim Wilson, Joe Ely, Omar and the Howlers, Asleep At The Wheel, Anson Funderburgh Jimmy Vaughn our own Mark Hummel and TINY TIM!
Kedar Roy has appeared on numerous blues albums, playing electric and stand up bass.
The award winning historic Sutter Creek Theatre is an intimate 215 seat former silent film theatre with superb sound. Voted Best Indie Theatre multiple times (KCRA A-List).