Hummel’s Harmonica Blowout

It would be hard to imagine that any event could top our own talent playing at the 2008 Harmonica Bash but seeing Mark Hummel’s Harmonica Blowout with Kim Wilson and Magic Dick sure was the show of the year for blues harmonica fans in the Minnesota.

While the crowd at The Cabooze was sparse it gave way to a intimate night featuring some of the best modern blues harmonica with a great backing band featuring Rusty Zinn on guitar. Kim Wilson’s fiery set included local guitar master Jeremy Johnson on second guitar for a fuller sound and amazing performance. It was a real pleasure to see Rusty Zinn watching and listening to what our local talent is capable of while providing many “damn fine playing” looks of approval as Jeremy tore it up. Kim also left the stage during an extended harp solo and walked in the crowd playing without a mic but still allowing the entire bar to hear his harmonica magic.

Magic Dick really provided a surprise to this observer who had never seen him perform live. His choice of non-standard cover songs which included Little Walter’s “I’ve Got To Find My Baby” and T-Bone Walker’s “She’s The No Sleepin’est Woman” were really refershing and very entertaining.

Mark Hummel is always a a pleasure to watch live with his enthusiastic energy and great harmonica playing. Chatting with him after the show proved that he is really one heck of a nice guy. The real treat was the encore performances that featured all three harmonica players on stage sharing turns at vocals and harmonica playing.

This night gave me a chance to try out my new video camera and I was able to capture a few songs on video for BluesTube YouTube. Here is the first video I will post featuring Kim Wilson’s extended harmonica solo.

Throughout the night many photographers took turns capturing the energy of the peformers… while I am no professional photographer and have a different “no flash” approach to photography here are just a few photographs of what I have to offer. (Internet Explorer Users: Click on Photo to see non-distorted version).

Kim Wilson

Kim Wilson Playing the Crowd

Kim Wilson Playing the Crowd

Kim Wilson

Kim Wilson

If you like blues photography please be sure to check out Twin Cities Blues Photography and be sure to use the Flickr: Minnesota Blues Group which allows anyone to upload and share blues photography.

More videos and photography to come… enjoy!