STUDIO

I play all styles of music. I have my own amplifier and mic for that distorted blues sound or I can play through the studio’s microphone for a clean acoustic sound. I can read music and transpose quickly. I play the diatonic (blues harp), the chromatic (the Stevie Wonder, Toots Thielemans sound) and the bass harp and the mandolin.

I am capable of playing a full chromatic scale on the diatonic harp, allowing for unique possibilities.
Here is a sample:

If you hire me, I intend to show up on time with all the equipment necessary to do the job well. I intend to listen to and follow your instructions and play what you want. I may offer a suggestion if I believe it will achieve something you would be happier with. Although I care about the quality of the music, I recognize time is money, so I will leave the level of perfectionism to the artist I am supporting. In other words, I intend to create high quality music in a time efficient, professional manner.

Please read the performance section below for artists I have recorded with or performed with.

For examples of my music, click here

For testimonials, click here

Kalu James
Kalu James is a Nigerian born singer/songwriter. He moved to Rochester, New York as a teenager and came to Austin a couple of years ago. Since then he has captured the hearts of everyone who has seen him. His voice is beautiful, his lyrics are conscious and the band is rocking. The band is the Ruta Maya Tuesday Night Open Mic House Band, Ed Miles on Drums, Randall Squires on Bass, Drew Howard on Guitar and myself.

The McMercy Family Band
As it turns out, I am a distant cousin to this family of old time country gospel singers. Although they are all my cousins, they are known as Sister Lindsey, Brother Dan, Brother Ryan, Brother Adam, Sister Kristen and Uncle Ted. Respectively, they play standup bass, banjo, guitar, guitar, spirit and drums. We sing 7 part harmony and I get to play that old time cross harp, reminiscent of Sonny Terry, Charlie McCoy, Lonnie Glosson and Wayne Rainey. If you have not been saved yet, you need to get to one of our shows right away.
Washed In The Blood of The Lamb -

Sick's Pack
Sick is a mad genius, playing Fiddle, Guitar, singing and writing songs. He is also a great bandleader of Jimmie Dreams and Johnny Palmer, guitars, Spyder on Drums, Drew on bass and myself on harp. We play lots of musical styles including blues, country, bluegrass, jazz, and gypsy jazz but we do it all with a Sick flavor. I have had some of the best nights of my life with this band, check it out!
Bury Me -

The Ruta Maya Tuesday Night Open Mic House Band
The players are the Kalu James back up band. I host the night. Sign up is upstairs at 8:30pm sharp. It is a lottery sign up that Drew Howard runs. If you do not get picked for this week you are guaranteed a spot for next week providing that you show up at 8:30pm. Music starts around 9:20pm. Everyone  gets 15 minutes or 3 songs, whichever comes first. Use the band, just some of the band or play solo. Pay $10 for a CD recording of your set, $20 for a DVD recording. I have been doing this open mic for 3 years. It is the best I have ever seen. The band rocks any style of music, the soundman, Curt, is incredible, the performers are high quality, Ruta Maya is a great club with a community atmosphere and the vibe is good. Come on out and play with us!
Take Me To That Place Called Love -
Listen to this example by Richard Sanguinetti, featuring Mellie Mel on saxophone. Check out the harp at around 3 minutes in. Richard is an example of an open mic success story. He comes to perform regularly and has not only improved, he is now gigging and has made a CD featuring the house band.