Walkin’ Cane Mark

“Mark is a great blues man, he will go far” – Willie Dixon

Walkin Cane Mark was born under a cactus in the heart of the Arizona desert. Surrounded five generations of blue grass based musicians. Being an AZ native it’s ironic that instead of playing country based music like his relatives he quickly fallowed a passion for gritty Blues, R & B and Soul music early on. The great Willie Dixon dubbed Mark, “Walkin’ Cane Mark” in 1988 when he was recovering from a crippling car accident. “He saw me walking around with a cane and knew my name was Mark, one day out of his mouth came Walkin Cane Mark and it stuck.” It was also Willie who first recognized Mark’s passion for the blues and after what seemed years of begging Willie for guidance the legend stated “Young man, you have the spirit for this music but your gunna do it right”. Willie then introduced Mark to various members from the Muddy Waters & Howlin’ Wolf bands. “The rest is up to you”. The first person of stature to teach Mark was the first man to amplify a harmonica post World War II on Maxwell Street in Chicago Harmonica guru Snooky Pryor.

“Walkin Cane Mark is the best I’ve ever heard, go on out and spread the word” – Snooky Pryor

The great Snooky Pryor that taught him how to drive a band with his harmonica like a steam engine. “Cane see what you wanna do is start blowin’ your Mississippi Saxophone and take the band around to the head then if they can’t hang on – that’s not your fault – ha ha” Junior Wells on the other hand was a different direction, hip, slick, and ready to fight, he would motion to the band as he started the song, his harp was like a blow gun each note a staccato, each hand motion an Karate move, each sound the effect of that motion. “CANE! I want it heavy one the one cuz that’s wear your body wants to move”! Both styles very different yet both the same affect, both grab your soul and don’t let go. Because of these men Mark has the reputation of being one of the youngest “Old School Style” harmonica players in the world.

“Walkin Cane Mark is a huge bear of a man, we were mesmerized by his gritty vocals and at the agility he showed tonight when he warmed up for Nappy Brown!” – Blue Print Magazine (England)

Fronting his first band (a seven piece horn band) at the ripe old age of 21, Cane quickly began the reputation of a “Must See Show”. Blues Shouter Nappy Brown showed mark how to signify, shout & channel emotion into every tune. Mark’s stage entrances are legendary, the last time he and Nappy Brown were at The Stockholm Jazz Festival the band belted out a very funky version “Mojo”, Cane came on with a frontal roll ending with a standing pose, and to a standing ovation!

“Walkin Cane Mark makes Meatloaf look like a crooner”- Living Blues Magazine

Walkin’ Cane has seven full-length albums to his credit to date (all of which are available for distribution or lease over seas), as well as numerous guest and producing credits. Constantly on the road, Mark appeared in Europe with the Nappy Brown Walkin Cane Mark Blues Show and is anxious to get back over the pond (blues talk for Europe). Nappy & The Cane left earth shaking performances at The Bergen, Moulin Blues, Stockholm & Pori Festivals along with clubs all over England & Norway.
Junior Wells said it best, “Walkin’ Cane Mark is the baddest %$#%@# I’ve ever known, I’m glad he’s coming up in the blues!”

With Walkin’ Cane Mark you get your money’s
worth in the first 5 minutes…..the rest is free!