Lead singer and harmonica player Mike Fugazzi, 30, knows how to put on a show! Mike has been recognized internationally for his soulful baritone, blazing harmonica, and ability to engage and entertain crowds. Fugazzi has developed the unique ability to play chromatically on harmonica by using the “overblow” technique. His approach to the diatonic harmonica, although much more difficult to achieve, is in many ways more expressive and communicative than traditional harmonica playing. The sophisticated sound produced by Fugazzi is lyrical, soulful, and aggressive, while pushing the perceived limits of the instrument.
Fugazzi has studied diatonic harmonica from two of the world’s top harmonica players, Chris Michalek and Clint Hoover, over the last nine years. Career highlights include being named an official Hohner Harmonica endorser (2010), being featured on Hohner Marine Band Harmonica multi-packs (2011), performing at the 2010 SPAH Harmonica Blow-Off, opening for Indigenous, playing with Michalek-Strone at the 2005 Mid Summer Jazz Festival, and sharing the stage with harmonica giant Jason Ricci in 2005 and 2006. Mike has played in over 100 venues throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and even in the Caribbean! Some of the venues he as played include Buster's in Mankato, Hooligan's in Mankato, the Kato Ballroom, The Cabooze in Minneapolis, Famous Dave's in Minneapolis, Shaw's in Minneapolis, The Whiskey Junction in Minneapolis, The Blues Saloon in St. Paul, The Half-Time Rec in St. Paul, and Nighthawk's in La Crosse Wisconsin. His work as a musician has been featured numerous times in local media outlets such as Blue Monday, Static Magazine, Applauze Magazine, the Mankato Free Press, Rochester Post-Bulletin, Owatonna People's Press, and Faribault Daily News. Original music has been aired world-wide from local stations like KMSU, KDOG, and KFAI to stations in the UK and Germany. The Mike Fugazzi Band was formed in 2007 and later renamed Mike Fugazzi and Groove Stew in 2010. Groove Stew is Southern Minnesota's only group showcasing harmonica in this context. Backed by Drew Hurst (guitar), Sam Taphouse (bass), and Ben Peterson (drums), the MFB is able to show the diversity of the instrument throughout a range of musical styles while engaging listeners and keeping the song in the forefront of what they do. Besides fronting his own roots-rock band, Mike has been the frontman to the widely popular Southern Minnesota blues band NiteRail since 2004. He is also an active instructor for the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society's "Blues 4 Kids" program. |
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