We offer a free outreach program to introduce the harmonica to elementary school age children in the Twin Cities area. We’ll bring in a handful of our players, perform a short show, give free harmonicas to the children, and give them a short lesson.
If you or someone you know has an interest in this, please email us.
We want to extend a special Thank You to Groth Music of Bloomington MN for sharing the costs of the harmonicas we give away.
WE CELEBRATED OUR 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 2017!!!
The Twin Cities Harmonica Society was formed in 1977 by Don Allen and Jack Bacon. Each came from professional music backgrounds. Don playing with a trio in Ohio and Jack was part of a local 5-player group. Jack passed away in 2012 and Don in 2014.
The initial purpose of the club was simply getting together to play and share information. There was no intention to do “play-outs”, but as word of the group spread, so did requests to hear its music. Before long, it had purchased a sound system, band attire, and was performing in a variety of venues which, over the years, have ranged from banquets, to a Channel 5 telethon, and Saint Paul Saints game.
This tradition continues today. Current meeting focus is on sharing information, group playing, and on breakout sessions to pursue areas of specific interest with other like-minded members. The group continues to attract musicians of all levels, from beginners to accomplished professionals, including internationally known Dick Gardner of the Harmonicats.
Blues for Everyone News!
The Minnesota Blues Society is proud to announce a grant from the Dual Citizens Brewery in St. Paul. This grant is due to the recommendation from the Backyard Bluesfest that MnBS is a sponsor for.”The Backyard Blues Fund” is a grant of $5000 which will support our mission to “Keep the Blues Alive in Minnesota” by linking experienced Blues musicians with young Blues musiciansThe goal of this program is to encourage our up and coming musicians as they begin the journey from starting a band to establishing themselves as “gigging” musicians.
The program was developed due to an identified shortage of young musicians in Minnesota who are interested in pursuing Blues Music as a career. The MnBS believes that through mentor relationships, young musicians will gain:
- Musical guidance and skill development
- Knowledge of the music industry and band management
- Exposure to live Blues performance and professional musicians
- Opportunities to participate more fully in the Blues community in Minnesota
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The timeline:
Summer 2026:
Convene an oversight committee for the program
Develop an application process and training program for mentors, including a screening program for background checks and a code of conduct
Develop an application process for mentees
Develop an evaluation of program success.
Fall 2026:
Identify and train 5 mentees
Identify and inform the 5 mentors
2027 and beyond:
Begin and then expand he program
Producing a new album?
MnBS is accepting CD’s for the Best Self Produced CD contest. The deadline is October 26. For more info: https://mnbs.org/self-produced-cd-competition/
The MnBS is seeking patrons and sponsors for our activities.
A patron would contribute a donation to an event of their choice. In return you will be listed in our programming and PR materials for the event.
We are also hoping to add some new corporate sponsors to our organization.
We deeply appreciate the many people who help make our organization successful.
For more information:
Click on the images to link with information specific to the type of sponsorship.
The Virgil Caine Band and the duo Peter Meyer/Bill Finke won the Road to Memphis Challeng and will be competing for a chance to represent MnBS at the International Blues Challenge, January 19-23, 2027 in Memphis, TN.
