Yellow Pages
Get ready to be blown away by blues harp player Mark Hummel, who returns to Anacortes with the Blues Survivors and soulful guitarist Rusty Zinn, at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Rockfish Grill. Admission is $10.
The all-Hummel show will be a rare treat, said Rockfish partner Rick Star. The nationally known harmonica master typically shares the spotlight when he comes to Anacortes on tour with his trademark Blues Harmonica Blowouts, but this time he’s going it alone.
A Rockfish favorite, as well as a critic’s choice, Hummel always packs the house and gets crowds up and dancing.
“Mark Hummel is a harmonica god,” said Blues Revue.
He has led the popular Blues Survivors Band, which earned its name with nonstop touring, nearly three decades. His trademark harmonica sound, with its subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack, has made him a major force in West Coast Blues. The music is inspired by the Chicago school with elements of jump blues and rock ‘n’ roll.
Hummel has performed at the San Francisco Blues Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and has performed and judged at the Hohner Harmonica World Championship in Germany. He has performed with West Coast bluesmen such as Cool Papa, Boogie Jake, Mississippi Johnny Waters and Sonny Lane.
“Mark Hummel is simply one of the best harmonica players working today,” said Huey Lewis.
Guitarist Zinn was discovered by Fabulous Thunderbird Kim Wilson on a Hummel gig in the 1990s. Since then, he has played as a Thunderbird and had a successful solo career. He has backed legendary blues harpists such as Snooky Pryor, Charlie Musselwhite and James Cotton.
Another show worth noting this week is a performance by The Ride with Bob Caloca Friday at the Star Bar.
No cover. Caloca formerly played with the Pure Prairie League.
Also this week:
• Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., presents Stilly River Band, Sept. 9; Dudley Taft Blues Overkill, Sept. 12; Spoonshine Duo, Sept. 16. Music is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 to 11 p.m. Thursdays and 9 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Call 588-1720.
• Star Bar, 416-1/2 Commercial Ave., presents The Ride and Bob Caloca Sept. 11; Gadjo Gypsies, Sept. 12. Call 293-6747.
• Department of Safety, 1011 12th St., offers new music for all ages. Call 293-2994.
Majestic Inn, 419 Commercial Ave. Call 299-1400.
• Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., presents live music most weekends, about 9 to midnight, $3 at the door. Open Jam Thursdays with Mike Rothmeyer are 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover. Call 293-2544.
• Watertown Pub, 314 Commercial Ave., offers live music most weekends. Saturday is ladies night with top 40 DJ Ben Brown; Wednesday is karaoke night with DJ Steve, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 293-3587.
• Johnny Picasso’s, 501 Commercial Ave., presents live music/open mic 7-9 p.m. Thursdays.
• Swinomish Northern Lights Casino presents Jazz Lunches 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Call 293-2691.
• Anacortes Eagles presents live music 7:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Sept. 11-12, Coyotes. Members and guests only. Call 293-3012.
• Adrift Restaurant, 510 Commercial Ave., presents Howlin’ Lane & the Angels Of Sin at 6 p.m. third Tuesdays. All ages.
Anderson’s General Store on Guemes Island has occasional events. No cover. Call 293-4548 or visit http://www.guemesislandstore.com.
