Historic Folsom welcomes a true blues titan this weekend as Grammy-nominated harmonica virtuoso Mark Hummel headlines this Sunday’s Powerhouse of Blues series. The Sunday afternoon show at Powerhouse Pub will be offering an up-close experience with one of the most respected and road-tested blues musicians of his generation.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Mark Hummel is a name etched into the very foundation of contemporary blues. A master of the harmonica, a dedicated bandleader, and an acclaimed author, Hummel has released over 30 albums, collaborated with a who’s who of blues legends, and toured relentlessly across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
In 2014, Hummel earned a Grammy nomination for Remembering Little Walter, a powerhouse tribute album he produced and performed on. That same project won both Best Blues CD and Best Traditional Blues CD at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis. His solo album The Hustle Is Really On climbed to No. 2 on the Living Blues Radio Charts and remained in the top five for four consecutive months.
But awards only scratch the surface of Hummel’s musical footprint. Since picking up the harmonica in 1970, he’s cultivated a trademark style defined by precise phrasing, tone, and swing. His performances are rooted in tradition but driven by a modern, personal energy that keeps audiences hooked from the first note to the last.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, and raised in Los Angeles, Hummel moved to Berkeley at age 18 to fully immerse himself in the blues scene. In 1977, he co-founded The Blues Survivors with Mississippi Johnny Waters and hit the road in earnest by 1984—touring over 130 dates a year, a pace he still maintains. Over the decades, he’s shared the stage or studio with iconic names like Charles Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Lowell Fulson, Billy Boy Arnold, Luther Tucker, Jimmy Rogers, Carey Bell, Lazy Lester, and Brownie McGhee.
Hummel’s long-running “Blues Harmonica Blowout” concert series, launched in 1991, is another hallmark of his legacy. The series has hosted nearly every major figure in blues harmonica—from John Mayall and James Cotton to Charlie Musselwhite—cementing Hummel’s reputation as both a performer and a champion of the genre’s rich history.
Beyond the stage, Hummel’s literary work has drawn praise as well. His memoir, Big Road Blues: 12 Bars on I-80, earned rave reviews and was nominated for best independent book release, offering readers a vivid look inside the life of a traveling bluesman.
Now, Folsom blues fans have the rare opportunity to see this living legend up close, in one of the region’s most intimate and energetic venues. Whether you’re a longtime follower of Hummel’s career or discovering his genius for the first time, Sunday’s show promises an unforgettable afternoon of harmonica-driven blues and road-hardened soul.
Mark Hummel takes the stage at 3 p.m. this Sunday, September 21, at Powerhouse Entertainment, located at 614 Sutter Street in Historic Folsom. Doors open early, and seating is first come, first served. All shows at Powerhouse are 21 and over. For tickets and more information, visit www.powerhousepub.com.
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