Mark Hummel's Tribute to James Cotton

21+ Bar opens one hour before showtime. Happy hour 6:30 – 7 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm.

Two-drink minimum per guest. Come early for happy hour specials!

The iconic harmonica man James Cotton passed away in 2017 at the age of 81. Cotton’s considered by most to have been the last great harp titan of the generation that produced Little Walter (who James replaced in Muddy Waters Band), Sonny Boy Williamson II (who raised Cotton from 12 years old), Junior Wells, Big Walter and many more. James’ career spanned more than six decades and put him on the map of All Time Blues Greats!

The James Cotton Tribute Band is guitarist and vocalist Steve Freund (Sunnyland Slim, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, and 12 years with Cotton), drummer Gary Silva (James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Albert Collins, Mick Taylor, Junior Walker, John Lee Hooker, Ron Thompson), bassist Karl Sevareid (Robert Cray, Etta James, Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, Tracy Nelson), guitarist and pianist Bob Welsh (James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Musselwhite) and Mark Hummel playing harp and singing James’s role as front man.

Hummel produces The Blues Harmonica Blowouts (Mayall, Musselwhite, Huey Lewis, Lee Oskar, Magic Dick) for 30 years now, which featured Cotton on seven national tours as part of that event. Cotton commented, “Mark is All About The Music”. Mark has a 2013 Grammy nom and two Blues Music Awards, and 30 albums to his credit.

See them live at Almost Famous Wine Lounge, an award-winning tasting room and world-class music venue located in the heart of Livermore's urban wine, spirits and brewery district.

MORE ABOUT THE BAND

Grammy-nominted harmonica man/singer/songwriter/bandleader/author/impresario MARK HUMMEL was born in New Haven, CT but moved to Los Angeles as a newborn. Hummel took up an interest in blues harp & rock-blues music in high school but soon discovered the originators like Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson & Little Walter. Soon after, Hummel frequented the Ash Grove club on Melrose Ave in LA where he saw (in a three month period) three blues legends he would later work with on a regular basis: Charlie Musselwhite, Brownie McGhee (w/Sonny Terry), and James Cotton. By 1985, Mark Hummel's Blues Survivors hit the road full time and continue till the present (Hummel's memoir, "Big Road Blues: 12 Bars on I-80" recounts many road exploits). Hummel's been featured on over thirty recordings since 1985 including his 2014 Blind Pig Records, Remembering Little Walter (a recording of a Hummel Blues Harp Blowout.) The CD was nominated for a Grammy Award and won two Blues Music Awards.

STEVE FREUND is a Brooklyn born guitarist & vocalist who spent 20 years in Chicago playing with the best of the old timers, 20 years with Sunnyland Slim, 12 years with James Cotton, plus recording/producing with Magic Slim, Snooky Pryor, Henry Grey, Koko Taylor, Boz Scaggs, and Lonnie Brooks on a Grammy winning album. He has played with Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, Eddie Taylor, Hubert Sumlin, Big Walter Horton, Floyd Jones, Lee Jackson and many more.

VENUE POLICIES

• All shows are 21+. Set times and ticket prices are subject to change, and sales are final.
• There is a two drink minimum per guest. Our menu has 15 wines in diverse styles and sophisticated non-alcoholic options. No outside beverages are allowed.
• Outside food is welcome. Food trucks are available most nights around Vasco Row, steps away from our venue. Check www.vascorow.com for the schedule.
• Dancing is encouraged at Almost Famous, and usually takes place in front of the stage. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a completely unobstructed view to those sitting at bistro tables.

Please visit www.almostfamous.wine for our other venue policies.

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