Anthology

*On Thursday, December 6th in San Diego, Blind Pig Records will record a live tribute to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Walter Jacobs featuring some of the finest harmonica players on the current blues scene – Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Boy Arnold, Mark Hummel, James Harman, and Sugar Ray Norcia.

Charlie Musselwhite

With more than 25 albums under his well-seasoned belt, Charlie Musselwhite maintains status as one of the, if not the most, well known harmonica players of all time. From his humble beginnings in Mississippi and Tennessee to Chicago, Musselwhite’s exemplary skills have ushered him into the company of Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and Tom Waits.

Billy Boy Arnold

From a young age William “Billy Boy” Arnold showed interest in the harmonica and was on the receiving end of invaluable one-on-one lessons from “Sonny Boy” Williamson. At 17 Billy Boy Arnold recorded, “Hello Stranger” and around that time teamed up with legendary Bo Diddley. Billy Boy Arnold went on to record a few more records and stand out tracks, “I Wish You Would” and “I Ain’t Got You”, were later covered by The Yardbirds and David Bowie.

James Harman

One would not think of Panama City when talking about the blues, but somehow James Harman sniffed out all of the happening juke joints in town. With a fake mustache securely fastened to his upper lip, Harman snuck into these joints for shows and soon became known as, “the boy who sings like a man”. Harman’s powerful voice is a result of his days in the choir and his harmonica playing was a result of natural talent. Over the years Harman released numerous records and formed Ice House Blues Band who played alongside legends like Canned Heat and ZZ Top.

Sugar Ray Norcia

Meet the sound of harmonica in the northeast, Sugar Ray Norcia. Now front man for, The Blue Tones, Norcia originally started playing harmonica in high school in Rhode Island. After a move to Cambridge he started hitting his stride, playing alongside performers like Ronnie Earl and Big Momma Thornton and ultimately recording his most acclaimed album, Knockout.

Little Charlie Baty

Rock-N-Roll, soul, jump blues, surf music and swing. This is what Little Charlie Baty does and does best. While studying mathematics at the University of California Berkeley, Baty met Rick Estrin and formed The Nightcats. Hungry for a life on the road the group hit the festival and club circuit hard. Baty’s effervescent style on the guitar always makes him a crowd favorite. Every so often Baty sits down in the studio to record an album but his true passion will forever be touring.

Mark Hummel

For Mark Hummel, had it not been for an unlikely introduction to the blues, his life may not be as it is today. As a child Hummel’s babysitters played blues over the radio and it happened to stick with him over the years. By 16 Hummel was playing in bands but only after his relocation to San Francisco did he make he make the transition to professional musician. 1980’s saw the forging of The Blues Survivor, which is still alive and kicking to this day. In addition to a slew of his own albums Hummel was asked to tour with artist like James Harman, Charlie Musselwhite and Huey Lewis.