This Sunday afternoon, the stage at Powerhouse Pub in Historic Folsom will echo with the sounds of blues, camaraderie, and heartfelt remembrance as the local music community gathers to honor one of its most influential figures. Mick Martin, the harmonica virtuoso, radio host, bandleader, journalist, and cultural icon, passed away earlier this month at the age of 76 at his home in the Sacramento area. In his memory, Powerhouse Pub will dedicate this week’s “Powerhouse of Blues” program to celebrate the life and legacy of a man who helped define Sacramento’s music scene for more than five decades.
The special event will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, and will feature members of Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band, joined by a roster of guest musicians—friends, colleagues, and protégés—who will perform in tribute to their longtime mentor and companion. The gathering promises to be an afternoon filled with the kind of soul-stirring music Martin loved and championed, with all proceeds going to support his family during this difficult time.
For those who knew Mick Martin—or simply admired him from the audience—Sunday’s show will serve as a moment of both celebration and mourning, an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of a man whose passion for music, film, education, and storytelling transcended generations and genres.
Martin’s journey into the blues began in the wake of personal tragedy. Following the death of his younger brother on his tenth birthday, Martin found solace and purpose in music. Drawn to the harmonica’s emotive power and the rich, expressive language of blues and jazz, he began forging a path that would make him one of the genre’s most recognized and respected ambassadors.
His musical career included leading bands such as Joshua, Smith Martin & Shaw, Orion Express, and eventually his signature projects: Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers and later Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band and Dixie Drifters. Known for his soulful playing and deep blues knowledge, Martin’s signature instrumental performance was Cristo Redentor, the Donald Byrd composition that became a defining showcase of his harmonica artistry. One of his career highlights came in 1994 when he shared the stage at Carnegie Hall with legends Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Witherspoon, Grover Washington Jr., and Mark Whitfield—a lineup that underscored his place among blues royalty.
Martin’s talents earned him three Sacramento Area Music Awards (Sammies) and, in 2010, a place in the Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame. His influence extended into education, where he was a dedicated participant in Blues in the Schools, bringing the genre’s history and heart into classrooms across the region. That legacy of mentorship lives on through the Mick Martin Student Fund, established by the Sacramento Blues Society to provide instruments, instruction, and performance opportunities to aspiring young musicians.
Mick Martin and his band was featured on Folsom City Limits during covid on November 19th, 2020. One of his last televised performances bringing his style of blues and jazz to thousands watching from home. Thank you for the memories Mick! You will surely be missed.
“Mick wasn’t just a host—he was the heartbeat of the blues, a walking encyclopedia of its rhythms, riffs, and raw emotion,” shared K-ZAP Radio in a statement. “All of us here have known Mick for several decades or more, and we’ve cherished him as a kind, loving, and hilariously witty man whose passion for the genre lit up every note and story he shared. Since bringing his show back to Sacramento’s K-ZAP radio in September 2023, Mick honored us all with his wisdom, warmth, and that signature harmonica howl.”
Martin’s radio journey began at K-ZAP, where he launched The K-ZAP Blues Show in 1989. In 1991, he transitioned to Capital Public Radio, where his newly rebranded Mick Martin’s Blues Party became a beloved fixture for nearly three decades. In a poetic full-circle moment, he returned to a resurrected K-ZAP in 2023, closing his radio career where it all began. The station has since called him their “irreplaceable soul”—a reflection of his dual role as host and historian for the region’s blues scene.
“He really supported me. I would help him with new-age advice and he’d help me with old-school advice,” said blues artist Katie Knipp, who spoke to Martin regularly, almost daily. “He’s pushed me. He’s had me play piano in his band. It’s one thing to sing but another to shred and he’s inspired me to work harder on my skills and keep improving.”
“Mick was a towering figure in the Sacramento blues scene—a great musician, a natural bandleader, and a true gentleman,” said fellow musician Tom Rigney. “He had a depth of knowledge and appreciation of blues music that was matchless. He was the center of gravity of the whole Sacramento blues world, through his performances, his radio show, and his larger-than-life presence.”
“Mick Martin was literally the heart and soul of this blues-loving city,” shared blues artist Val Starr. “Decades of performing his original blues music along with decades of supporting blues artists on CapRadio and most recently, K-ZAP radio, Mick lived and breathed the blues. He was also a dear heart and kind man.”
Longtime fan John Testa added, “I had the pleasure of hearing Mick over the years play his music and share with us all his talent. It wasn’t until November of 2020 that I had the pleasure of meeting and working with him and the guys at Powerhouse Pub in Folsom. It was during that mess of COVID when everything was shut down except every Thursday night in Folsom we called Folsom City Limits. One of those nights was all Mick Martin and his band and our production team.”
“I’m still in shock from hearing about Mick Martin’s passing,” said musician Laurie Morvan. “We’ve had so many awesome adventures together and I’m just not ready for that to end. He was my ‘Uncle Mickey,’ my confidant, co-conspirator, ever-enthusiast supporter, and just all-around good buddy.
We shared our challenges as bandleaders, as musicians trying to navigate the fast-changing landscape of the modern music industry, and as human beings trying to understand the craziness in the world around us. We were kindred spirits and there will never be another like him.”
In his final year, Martin moved next door to his daughter—a change he cherished deeply. In one of his last conversations with friends, he expressed peace and contentment with his life’s journey. His passing has left a wide void, but the echo of his harmonica, his laughter, and his mentorship will resonate for generations.
This Sunday, the lights of Powerhouse Pub won’t just spotlight a stage—they’ll shine on a legacy. As guitars wail, harmonicas cry, and friends raise their voices, Mick Martin will be remembered in the only way that ever made sense to him: with the music that never let him go. While Martin may be gone, the last thing he would ever want is for the music to die. For tickets and more details, visit www.powerhousepub.com. All shows at Powerhouse are 21 and over.
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