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Ain’t No Uncle Tom in My Blues: Life and times of The Undaunted Professor Harp
Ain’t No Uncle Tom In My Blues: Life And Times Of The Undaunted Professor Harp is a rant and a rave through harmonica master Professor Harp’s decades-long career as a professional Black Bluesman in the Boston area. Professor Harp remembers it all, stating, “My memoir, it’s as much about injustice as it is about music. Times haven’t changed so much for Black folk in the last half-century. Well, to be fair, I didn’t grow up in a cotton field, and I’m glad I didn’t. Jim Crow gentrified into Chad Crowe, Esquire, but it’s Jim Crow all the same. Learned to play harp (harmonica) on my own, studied the greats like George Harmonica Smith and James Cotton. I’ve sat in and played with Muddy Waters – lost my musical virginity that night long ago. Proud to have been on the bill with the world famous B.B. King. Still, something’s wrong, something’s missing. Somehow, after so many years, I still can’t get tight with a band of my own.
The great Solomon Burke gave me my stage name, “Professor Harp.” I added “Undaunted” because that’s who I am. I’ll never give up on the Blues. No matter that Blacks have abandoned their own heritage, their own musical history. No matter that whites have appropriated the Blues and turned it into something it was never meant to be. No matter that my life as a Bluesman living in a sea of white folks here in the New England area has been nothing but a vicious struggle, battling the racism that is inherent in our part of the world. Fighting the battle of childhood abuse, isolation, bullying. No, I’ll never give up trying.
That’s why they call me The Undaunted Professor Harp. I’m no Uncle Tom. I tell it like it is. Like it was. Don’t hold much back. I’ve got plenty to say. And yes, I keep on, keepin’ on.”
Ain’t No Uncle Tom In My Blues: Life And Times Of The Undaunted Professor Harp is a rant and a rave through harmonica master Professor Harp’s decades-long career as a professional Black Bluesman in the Boston area. Professor Harp remembers it all, stating, “My memoir, it’s as much about injustice as it is about music. Times haven’t [ >> (opens in a new tab)”>Read more >>>
BBQ Professor Harp with Special Guest City Pete Poirier
See Professor Harp at any of his shows for a copy of his new CD with Big Walker Brazil Blues Sessions
New England Music Hall of Fame
Congratulations to 2025 NEMHOF inductee Professor Harp! Born Hugh Holmes in Boston 1951, he was exposed to rock, blues and R&B from a young age. He loved the music of Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Elvis & Jerry Lee Lewis. As he grew a little older he was very attracted to the British Invasion bands, which led him to discover all their heroes, bluesmen Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters & B.B. King. In the mid 60’s Hugh was first a drummer, playing in rock & roll bands, and at age 18 he was drawn to the blues and developing a black awareness. A PBS show called Mixed Bag that he regularly watched would show J. Geils one week, Muddy Waters the next, showcasing the harmonica which thrilled him. An episode of Big Mama Thornton with George “Harmonica” Smith sealed the deal for him and he was hooked. One day in 1969 while attending a Boston Blues revival; a performance by George “harmonica” Smith had him rethinking what instrument he would rather play.
Hugh began perfecting his craft and played at many clubs around the Boston area throughout the 70’s. He specializes in what he calls”roots music” a no nonsense, no frills, Texas style blues. His playing got the attention of Muddy Waters, when attending one of his gigs, Hugh met Muddy pre-show and played him some music on the harp. Muddy invited him onstage to play some songs, and this boosted his career. After that show, he would play with Muddy whenever he was in town, as well as other artists Solomon Burke & Luther “guitar Jr.” Johnson.
Muddy would call him ‘Hugh the professor of the harp” & Solomon called him Professor harmonica Holmes, so Hugh decided to combine these 2 monikers from his mentors and created the name Professor Harp. Besides Muddy & George Smith, Professor Harp is influenced by vocalist Magic Sam & harp players Little Walters & Big Walter. Hugh has released some music over the years & he continues to play around the Boston area. You can follow him on facebook, I will include his link and you can see him at the award ceremony on Saturday February 15th at The Vault in New Bedford, MA.
–Written by Detroit Debbie Roszkowski
Although born and raised as Hugh Holmes of Boston, Mass., the emanations from his harmonica and vocals make it clear that Professor Harp has the blues of Texas and the whole wide Delta coursing through his veins.
The Professor was a rock ‘n’ roll drummer until ’69, when the Boston blues revival and a sterling performance he caught of blues harmonica great George Allen ‘Harmonica’ Smith, combined to lure him away from drums and into a full court press on the blues harp. “Undaunted!” he…
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More Videos:
- Sweet Home Chicago, set 1, Cotuit MA, Sunday, September 1, 2024
- Sweet Home Chicago, set 2, Cotuit MA, Sunday, September 1, 2024
- Professor Harp Live at ConfraIlha Blues Festival (2023)
- “Blow Wind Blow” by PROFESSOR HARP with BLUES SPECIAL BAND [Live at Gravador Pub]
- “Tip On In” Doug’s House of Harmony, New Bedford MA. March 19, 2023
- Well, a little Lazy Lester action–last call at the The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint, Medford, MA. February 20, 2020.
- Doug’s House of Harmony, New Bedford MA. “Just Your Fool and Nose Job” video by Calvin J N Grace. October 26,2019.
- Harmonica duel at the Gloucester (MA) Blues Festival with the great Marquise Knox on Saturday August 10, 2019.
- Live Rocky Rockwoods Sunday Jam Sounds #3!!! Instrumental Blues in E
- Videos by Robert John
- Professor Harp Live @ Nelson’s Candies/Locals Cafe 10/14/17
- Prof Harp with Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue @ BaHa Brothers Sandbar Grill.
- Professor Harp @ BaHa Brothers Sandbar Grill Taunton MA
- Theodores BBQ Roller Coaster
- Professor Harp at a Memorial Benefit
- Professor Harp, at the 2011 Onset Blues Festival!
- Professor Harp Live at Smoken’ Joe’s BBQ & Blues!
- Professor Harp at The Bull Run!
- Professor Harp, EASY 10/02/2010!
- Live at The Plymouth Rock Blues Festival 3/20/10!
- View Professor Harp with the Pete Best Band!
- Prof. Harp Live in Montreal
- View Professor Harp GO ‘HEAD ON on YouTube!
See upcoming club dates >>>
Photography credits and many thanks to Dhana Whiteing, Mike Kurgansky, Michael Baumann, Anne-Marie Beck, Lilian Dina, Jimdad Kenney, Kerry Quinn, and Tarik Preston-Holmes.
