The blues harmonica is not heard often in modern society’s pop music. The prison subculture is no exception, but that did not hinder harmonica blues man Mark Hummel, 58, from performing and discussing music with about two dozen inmates on a recent visit to San Quentin State Prison.
During the two-hour performance, Hummel talked about the blues and provided instruction on the various techniques used to play the harmonica, such as tongue blocking to play chords and octaves.
Hummel is one of hundreds of musicians who work with the organization Bread and Roses, founded 40 years ago by the late Mimi Farina, sister of Joan Baez.
Lisa Starbird, who came in with Hummel and described herself as the organization’s “queen of logistics,” said Bread and Roses takes about 50 live musical performances each month to rehabilitation centers, convalescent homes, detention centers or shelters for the homeless or at-risk kids in the Bay Area who otherwise have little opportunity for entertainment.
“I’ve been lucky. Music is my number one thing. I hope that comes through when I play,” Hummel told the men. “To me, music in general is all about rhythm. The main thing I do is the tongue block. Tonguing is a lot harder than lipping.”
Inmates asked dozens of questions about the blues, harmonica playing and the music business. Hummel answered each of their questions. He said music is “a real survivor’s game … if you keep your eyes on that prize, you’ll get through it.”
“A big part of what I do is, I’m constantly listening to music,” Hummel said. “I’m still really into blues harmonica.”
Hummel said he learned to play by ear, listening to records and all kinds of music. “I started in high school listening to Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Butterfield, John Mayfield” and others, he told the class.
Hummel said he enjoys playing slow so he can “dig into the notes better,” adding, “B.B. King takes his time with vibrato.”
Among the many songs Hummel played for the inmates was “Señor Blues” in the key of C, by Horace Silver.
Kurt Huget, who teaches a Thursday night guitar class, accompanied Hummel on several tunes, such as “When I Woke Up This Morning” by Jimmy Reed. Hummel also sang on this song. “That’s one of my favorites,” he told the men. Later he played “The Blues Is Here to Stay,” by Eddie Boyd.
Aside from his musical talent, he acknowledged he has some business knowledge and organization skills. With more than 20 albums under his belt, he expects to have another new recording ready this year.
“This is a great room for playing harmonica,” said Hummel, referring to the Arts and Corrections room, where the bands typically rehearse, as he showed the men the various types of microphones he used for playing.
Hummel also brought up less public aspects of his past. He spoke honestly with the men about his struggles with addiction. He said that he has been drug and alcohol free for 29 years.
“You’re one of the best audiences I’ve played for,” said he, after a round of applause from the men sitting at tables.
According to his biography on Wikipedia, Hummel was born in New Haven, Conn. He is described as an American blues harmonica player, a vocalist, songwriter and long-time bandleader of “The Blues Survivors.”
Hummel’s professional career began in the early 1970s when he moved to San Francisco. He is the founder of the Blues Harmonica Blowout tour that he has produced since the early 1990s. It features a lineup of veteran harmonica players.