Dennis Gruenling has been laying down some of the best blues harmonica in the East Coast region for 15 years now. After spending some time in New Orleans in 1992-3, Dennis came back home to New Jersey and quickly gained a reputation as a rising star on the local blues scene. A few stints with some local bands followed, and finally to 1998 when he formed the first incarnation of Jump Time.

Along the way, Gruenling has shared the stage with many top names in the blues world, such as Pinetop Perkins, Snooky Pryor, Homesick James, Hubert Sumlin, John Mayall, BB King, Little Sammy Davis, A.C. Reed, and Jimmy Dawkins, as well as contemporary masters such as Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Kim Wilson, Rusty Zinn and Steve Guyger.

Ever since his self-titled debut with his band Jump Time hit the streets in 1999, Dennis has been pulling in countless fans and numerous accolades from critics & musicians across the country for his swinging, highly original harmonica sound, and top-notch band.  Within the context of Jump Time, he pulls from mostly horn influences to get a new sound for the instrument, blending the vocal abilities of the trumpet and trombone with the swinging, fat-bodied sound of the tenor and baritone sax players of the 1940's & 50's

era.

Goin' To Chicago - In 2000, "Up All Night" was released. A non-Jump Time project, which owed much to his roots in stripped down Chicago-style blues, proving he could also play "traditional" blues harmonica with the best of them. This gained more recognition for Dennis and his talents not only as a harp player, but also as a bandleader and songwriter. The year 2001 saw the second Jump Time release, which includes special guests and the new addition to the band - vocalist Gina Fox. Once again Dennis has pushed the boundaries further for blues harmonica.

Dennis has also been teaching blues harmonica for over 12 years now, and is in demand as a private instructor, or as part of numerous harmonica workshops and conventions that appear across the country and overseas. He also has many years experience teaching at music schools, harmonica conventions, music festivals and blues workshops.

Dennis has also been published in Real Blues Magazine ("George 'Harmonica' Smith" 2001) and in the American Harmonica Newsletter ("George 'Harmonica' Smith - West Coast Legend" series and "Amplified Harmonica" series 1997-98).

 

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"Outstanding Service Award" SPAH Convention 1998, 2000, 2004

"Best Modern Blues Harmonica Player" - Real Blues Magazine 1999, 2000, 2001

"Best Blues Harmonica CD" - Real Blues Magazine 1999, 2001

"Top 10 CD" - Makin' Waves Awards  1999, 2000

"Best Male Artist" - Makin' Waves Awards 1999

 

 

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