The Nighthawks
Encyclopedia
The Nighthawks are an American
blues
and roots music
band
, based in Washington, D.C.
The Nighthawks currently are Mark Wenner (vocals and harmonica
), Paul Bell (lead guitar
), Johnny Castle (bass guitar
), and Mark Stutso (drums). Beginning with dates in February 2010, Stutso replaced longtime drummer Pete Ragusa who announced his departure earlier in the year.
(lead guitar), Jan Zukowski (bass guitar), and Pete Ragusa (drums). Their 1979 album
, Full House, issued on Adelphi Records
, had guest appearances from Muddy Waters
' sidemen
, Pinetop Perkins
and Bob Margolin
.
Keyboard
player Greg Wetzel joined the band in 1983, was a full-time member until 1986, and has continued to play at special performances as an "alumni" of the band. The membership of the band remained stable until 1986. At that time, tired of the band's extensive touring schedule, Thackery departed to front his own groups, most recently the Drivers, and record
for Blind Pig Records and Telarc Records. Following his departure, several players filled the lead guitar spot. These included Jimmy Nalls, Warren Haynes
, Danny Morris, Pete Kanaras, with Kanaras becoming the longest lasting member.
Kanaras and Zukowski departed the band in 2004. They were replaced by Paul Bell (lead guitar) and Johnny Castle (bass guitar). The Nighthawks won the Traditional Blues/R&B Duo/Group Award at the 2009 Washington Area Music Awards
. In 2011, their album, "Last Train to Bluesville" won the Acoustic Album of the Year at the 32nd Blues Music Awards, sponsored by the Blues Foundation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and roots music
Traditional music
Traditional music is the term increasingly used for folk music that is not contemporary folk music. More on this is at the terminology section of the World music article...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The Nighthawks currently are Mark Wenner (vocals and harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
), Paul Bell (lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
), Johnny Castle (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), and Mark Stutso (drums). Beginning with dates in February 2010, Stutso replaced longtime drummer Pete Ragusa who announced his departure earlier in the year.
History
Formed in 1972, the Nighthawks underwent several personnel changes before stabilizing as the lineup of Mark Wenner (vocals and harmonica), Jimmy ThackeryJimmy Thackery
Jimmy Thackery is an American blues singer and guitarist.-Career:Thackery spent fourteen years as part of The Nighthawks, the Washington, D.C. based blues and roots rock ensemble...
(lead guitar), Jan Zukowski (bass guitar), and Pete Ragusa (drums). Their 1979 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Full House, issued on Adelphi Records
Adelphi Records
Adelphi Records is a US record label founded in 1968 by Gene and Carol Rosenthal.Musicians on that label are The Nighthawks and Catfish Hodge , Lenny Breau, Reuben Brown and Richie Cole , Yellowman, Big Youth and Toots & the Maytals , Rev. Gary Davis, Gene Johnson [Rock & Soul], and Rev...
, had guest appearances from Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
' sidemen
Sideman
A sideman is a professional musician who is hired to perform or record with a group of which he or she is not a regular member. They often tour with solo acts as well as bands and jazz ensembles. Sidemen are generally required to be adaptable to many different styles of music, and so able to fit...
, Pinetop Perkins
Pinetop Perkins
Joseph William Perkins , known by the stage name Pinetop Perkins, was an American blues musician, specializing in piano music...
and Bob Margolin
Bob Margolin
Bob Margolin is an American electric blues guitarist. His nickname is "Steady Rollin'".-Biography:Bob Margolin was born and raised in Brookline...
.
Keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player Greg Wetzel joined the band in 1983, was a full-time member until 1986, and has continued to play at special performances as an "alumni" of the band. The membership of the band remained stable until 1986. At that time, tired of the band's extensive touring schedule, Thackery departed to front his own groups, most recently the Drivers, and record
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
for Blind Pig Records and Telarc Records. Following his departure, several players filled the lead guitar spot. These included Jimmy Nalls, Warren Haynes
Warren Haynes
Warren Haynes is an American rock and blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Haynes is best known for his work as long time guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey...
, Danny Morris, Pete Kanaras, with Kanaras becoming the longest lasting member.
Kanaras and Zukowski departed the band in 2004. They were replaced by Paul Bell (lead guitar) and Johnny Castle (bass guitar). The Nighthawks won the Traditional Blues/R&B Duo/Group Award at the 2009 Washington Area Music Awards
2009 Washington Area Music Awards
The 2009 Washington Area Music Awards was the 23rd annual Wammies ceremony. The awards won are as follows:Artist of the Year: ChopteethMusician of the Year: Jon CarrollWAMA/SAW Songwriter of the Year: Jon CarrollAlbum of the Year: Dose, Billy Coulter...
. In 2011, their album, "Last Train to Bluesville" won the Acoustic Album of the Year at the 32nd Blues Music Awards, sponsored by the Blues Foundation.
The Nighthawks
- Rock ’n’ Roll - Released 1974, 1983, and 1992
- Open All Nite - 1976 and 1995
- Live at the PsycheDelly - 1976 and 1995
- Side Pocket Shot - 1977 and 1997
- Jacks & Kings - 1978
- Full House - Jacks & Kings Vol I & II - 1978
- The Nighthawks - 1980 (Mercury Records - vinyl only)
- Ten Years Live - 1982 (Chesapeake CR LP 101)
- Hot Spot - 1986
- Hard Living - 1986 and 1991
- Backtrack - Live - 1986
- Live in Europe - 1987 and 1992
- Best of The Blues - 1988
- Best of The Rock - 1988
- Best of The Nighthawks - 1990
- Trouble - 1991
- Rock This House - 1993
- Pain & Paradise - 1996 and 2002
- Times Four - 1997
- Still Wild - 1999
- Live Tonite! - 2002
- Live at the State Theater with Special Guest Hubert Sumlin (2004)
- Blue Moon in Your Eye (Live at the Barns at Wolf Trap) (2006)
- American Landscape - 2009
- Last Train to Bluesville - 2010
Other releases featuring the Nighthawks
- Hot Tracks - John HammondJohn P. HammondJohn Paul Hammond is an American blues singer and guitarist. The son of record producer John H. Hammond, he is sometimes referred to as "John Hammond, Jr.".-Background:...
and The Nighthawks - Toru Oki and The Nighthawks - 1984
Mark Wenner solo albums
- Fugitive - w/Switchblade
- Nothin' But
- Mama Tried
- Runs Good Needs Paint