by JIM CRAWFORD. It would be safe to say that most accomplished musicians seek to be recognized by their peers for doing something exceptional. There’s a certain competitiveness that goes along with being able to play an instrument as good, if not better than the next guy…or gal. Currently there is a whole string of great Blues harmonica players who have brought the spotlight back to an instrument that until recently, has ridden shotgun to the Blues guitar. Oakland-based Mark Hummel is one of the leaders of this resurgence, having picked up the harp way back in his early teens. Mark was born in Connecticut but was raised in Los Angeles. His interest in black music came from the Mexican babysitters his parents hired who often played R&B and soul music on the radio during the day when they cared for him. READ MORE