SOLO
Singer-Songwriter
As Singer-Songwriter, harmonica and piano, Corky is still doing solo shows and also duets with Randy Sabien • Ernie Watts • Howard Levy • Kalyan Pathak • Marcella Detroit • Will Tilson and others.
Singer-Songwriter
“A piano and harmonica virtuoso of remarkable invention and wit” - BILLBOARD
Corky Siegel first appeared on the American music scene in the early 1960's when his ability to provoke stirring emotions through his unique synergy of vocals, keyboards, and electrifying blues harmonica quickly established him as a contemporary among the leading artists of his generation. In the beginning, Siegel teamed with his friend and guitarist, Jim Schwall to form the Siegel-Schwall Band. They were signed overnight by Vanguard, and later RCA Wooden Nickel. During the 60's and early 70's the band drew capacity crowds to the most popular clubs and auditoriums while their recordings received world acclaim. - Chicago Tribune
From 1975 through the early 1980's Siegel toured more exclusively as a solo artist, and singer-songwriter, showcasing his engaging blend of pure virtuosity, mixed with tongue-in-cheek humor. As a solo artist he has performed internationally from the Grenoble Jazz Festival in France to Canada's Montreal Jazz Festival and also toured with comedic icons Bob Hope and George Carlin. During this period, Siegel released two critically acclaimed solo recordings that captured his sterling harmonica, dazzling piano chops, and satirical lyrics.
During this period he also released his 2nd ground-breaking recordings as guest soloist with Seiji Ozawa and the San Francisco Symphony on the classical label Deutsche Grammophon and continues performing worldwide as guest soloists with major symphony orchestras.
The legacy of Siegel-Schwall “They knock everybody flat” - Rolling Stone Magazine, is remembered in three award-winning films featuring Corky; Born in Chicago, Horn from the Heart (The Paul Butterfield Story) and Sam Lay in Bluesland, all available on various streaming platforms.
Whether performing solo, with symphony orchestra, with his ground-breaking Chamber Blues ensemble (string quartet and tabla), Siegel is a joy to hear and watch.
His two latest solo albums “Something Wrong” and “Songs for Truth and Harmony” were both released in September 2022 along with a new Chamber Blues album; "More Different Voices," winning Downbeat Magazine’s “Best Albums of 2022.”
Wry humor, fiery piano playing, and superb harmonica captivated the crowd. - Kansas City Star
Corky Siegel held listeners visibly spellbound with an amazingly eclectic musical style. It verged on the avant grade, and recalled the sweet sounds of reggae with a healthy dose of Chicago style blues - Chicago Tribune
Siegel is undoubtedly one America's most versatile blues artists - Daily Camera - Boulder Colorado.
Sage of the Southwest Coast - Tom Robbins (Best selling American novelist)
He plays wonderfully on piano as well as harmonica. Siegel has a fine blues touch, and he combines it all with a grand sense of humor and showmanship - San Francisco Examiner
He's a master of piano and harmonica, a superior entertainer, and a writer of unusual songs. Who else writes blues about Idaho Potatoes? - Chicago Magazine
Also See GLOBAL FUSION with Dr. L. Subramaniam
HARMONICA LESSON