In the fall of 1985, after Nat Riddles had vacated NYC and I'd decided to play the streets by myself, with a Mouse, I was playing on Bleecker Street for the first time one evening--literally jamming solo amped harp on the sidewalk--when a guy came out of The Bitter End and said, "Hey, I'm playing piano inside. You sound good. You wanna come inside and jam?" I did. I drank too much and he gave me a chance to shine. Nice guy.
His name was Little Mike. His band was The Tornadoes. Little Mike and the Tornadoes were a popular blues band in NYC during the 80s. Mike, whose last name was Markowitz, ended up moving down to Florida and I completely lost touch with him. But he's popped up on YouTube. He was a gifted blues pianist whose approach to harp was rhythm centered. Lotsa tongue blocking; great stage presence. And he was a great singer back THEN, so 25 years later he's a very fine singer indeed. His harp playing here is different from what I remember; it's much more about big tone and taking his time.
I'd love to reconnect with him. He gave me my start in the NYC blues clubs.
I enjoy both his album Flynn's Place and Payday? He has a rocking, raspy tone. Discovered him in the blues clearance section of Amoeba records (where I've found a Satan & Adam CD or two as well). After reading Mr. Satan's Apprentice, its interesting and fulfilling to see how all you players fit together. The stories definitely jog the imagination.
In less than 12 hours, this thread has already risen to the #6 position on google search for the term "little mike markowitz." Amazing that somebody can stay off the grid to that extent.
He has a facebook page, but I'm not sure whether it's a fan page or his own personal page.
Last Edited by on Sep 16, 2011 4:17 AM
If you're looking for a Gainesville, Florida-area harp player from the old school, he's your guy. I don't know if he gives private lessons, but it couldn't hurt to ask. He's certainly available for gigs, sessions, etc.
Last Edited by on Jan 13, 2013 9:44 AM
I don't remember how I learned about him, but he was one of my faves for a long time. Heart Attack, Payday, and Flynn's Place were the 'most played' CDs I had for years. Good arrangements, and his TB style was as good as anybody. Glad to learn he's still at it.
whoo hoo. Like this guy. Good example of extreme confidence of one's abilities on stage.
Don't know why, but it reminded me of Gary Primich...maybe a bit on his visual in this grainy video...mixed in with a tiny bit of Kim Wilson's dance groove.
Would like to hear him with a more restrained back up band than he used in this example. (Talk about back up band chomping at the bit to fill up every available pause and space. Just a little too overall active for my sensibilities). ---------- The Iceman
