An all-star line-up of harp maestros gets your mojo workin’ with a night of traditional blues, January 18 at 7:30pm as part of the Bend Surgery Center’s CenterStage Series. The evening’s emcee is seasoned showman Mark Hummel, who just received two Grammy nominations—Best Blues Album and Best Traditional Blues Album for his Remembering Little Walter. Hummel leads a powerful pack of players, featuring John Mayall (godfather of British blues, mentor to Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood), harmonica master Rick Estrin, guitar genius Little Charlie Baty and wise-cracking songwriter James Harmon.

Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowout pays tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson II, legendary Mississippi harmonica player, songwriter and blues singer. Williamson first came to public notice on a daily noontime radio show in Helena, Mississippi, sponsored by bread maker King Biscuit Flour. He and his band played live in the studio for five minutes every day, advertising both flour and their local gigs. By the mid-1950s, he signed with Chess Records in Chicago, recording most of his songs that have since become blues and rock standards. They have been covered by the Allman Brothers, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton (in the Who’s Tommy), Muddy Waters, the Animals, the Yardbirds, Jr. Wells, Canned Heat, BB King, Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa, Doobie Brothers, Taj Mahal and countless others.

Showcase sponsor is Mt. View Heating, with supporting sponsors Deschutes Brewery and Central Oregon Radiology. The featured on-tap beer for the performance is Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

541-317-0700 or www.TowerTheatre.org

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