"Michael Rubin breathed magic into our record. A producer's dream. He made me excited to mix the project, to hear again all the great things he played." -Jonathan Byrd
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), the bass harp, the harmonetta and the mandolin.
Here is a recent song I played on that I hope you'll enjoy, the harmonica comes in around 2:10:
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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 gigs section below for artists I have recorded with or performed with.
I have performed on Broadway, on national television, in independent movies, at religious services, at clubs, festivals and parties. I am open to new forms
of performing. Please contact me if you would like me to perform with you. I will turn your gig into a show.
"Michael Rubin is THE finest harmonica player I have ever had the
privilege to play and record with. I LOVE his style -- his timing, taste, tone, and creativity are outrageously off-the-charts wonderful. He is, without a doubt, a master!" - Billy Jonas
"Michael Rubin is one of the most sensitive harmonica players around today. He plays what the music requires. And when It's time to get down!!! his sound swells like a three piece horn section..." - LZ Love
"Michael is an incredible musician, he has the tone & licks that all harp players should strive for not to mention a great instructor that I believe can beautifully play just about any genre of music." - RJ Mischo
"Michael Rubin is the single best harmonica player I have ever had the pleasure of playing with - hands down. He is a master of his instruments as well as a wealth of taste and innovation. Best of all playing with him is always...a blast." - Jeff Plankenhorn
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.
This band features Adam Kobetich on banjo, Mila Ringo on accordion, Austin Smith on fiddle, and I fill out the bottom on the bass harmonica. We play originals but
also covers of Eastern European music. Visit the official site.
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.
Sick's Pack
Sick is a mad genius, playing fiddle, guitar, singing and writing songs. He is also a great bandleader. We play lots of musical styles including blues, country, bluegrass,
jazz, and gypsy jazz but we do it all with a punk rock edge. I have had some of the best nights of my life with this band.
Sick's Pack at Trophy's Bar & Grill (harmonica solo at 3:05)
Jimmy Turner and Airseed
Although this band performs once in a blue moon, I love it enough to add it to this page. Jimmy Turner is a deaf musician who sings, plays harmonica,
electric bass, electric guitar, violin and saxophone. The band is a full electric band and the songs
are all improvised and conducted by Turner. There is a CD although it is hard to find.
