Studio Work

In the studio

Jonathan Byrd
“Michael Rubin breathed magic into our record. A producer's dream. He made me excited to mix the project, to hear again all the great things he played.”
— Jonathan Byrd, jonathanbyrd.com

I play all styles of music. I have my own amplifier and mic for that distorted blues sound, or I can play through the studio's microphone for a clean acoustic sound. I can read music and transpose quickly. I play the diatonic (blues harp), the chromatic (the Stevie Wonder, Toots Thielemans sound), the bass harp, the harmonetta and the chord harp.

I can also record remotely from my home. Just send me your track by email or Dropbox and I will send you back the harp to make the song the best it can be.

Here is a song on a Ruthie Foster album that was nominated for a Grammy:

I am capable of playing a full chromatic scale on the diatonic harp, allowing for unique possibilities. Here is a sample:

Playing Chromatically — Michael Rubin

If you hire me, I intend to show up on time with all the equipment necessary to do the job well. I intend to listen to and follow your instructions and play what you want. I may offer a suggestion if I believe it will achieve something you would be happier with. Although I care about the quality of the music, I recognize time is money, so I will leave the level of perfectionism to the artist I am supporting. In other words, I intend to create high quality music in a time efficient, professional manner.

Please see the artist list below for people I have recorded with or performed with. For examples of my own music, see the Albums page.

Live Performance

On the road

I have performed on Broadway, on national television, in independent movies, at religious services, at clubs, festivals and parties. I am open to new forms of performing. Please contact me if you would like me to perform with you — I will turn your gig into a show.

If you would like to know when I'm performing, email me at michaelrubinharmonica@gmail.com.

Browse the full list of artists, bands & productions I've performed or recorded with ↓

A – D

  • Gary Allegretto
  • JP Allen
  • Animal Farm
  • The Austin Opera / Silent Night
  • Michel Bell
  • Ray Benson
  • Bird And Street
  • Dylan Blackthorn
  • The Blue Hit
  • Eddie Bo
  • Colin Brooks
  • Sarah Brown
  • Jonathan Byrd
  • The Civil War (Broadway, St. James Theatre)
  • Gary Clark Jr.

E – H

  • Linda Eder
  • Matt the Electrician
  • The Electric Mountain Rotten Apple Gang
  • Floyd Collins musical (orchestra pit)
  • Andy J. Forest
  • Guy Forsyth
  • Ruthie Foster
  • Josh Fulero
  • Susan Gibson
  • Green Mountain Grass
  • Groovin' Ground
  • Roy Hargrove
  • Sara Hickman
  • The Hill Country Strings

I – L

  • The Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers
  • Irene and the Mikes (original Mike)
  • Ironing Board Sam
  • Greg Izor
  • Kalu James
  • Billy Jonas
  • Foscoe Jones
  • Mike Keller
  • Shelley King
  • Greg Klyma
  • Larry
  • Huey Lewis
  • LZ Love

M – O

  • Karen Mal
  • The McMercy Family Band
  • Manny and the Brokeback Boys
  • Christopher Cody Meacham
  • The MCO Band featuring The Flong Allstars
  • RJ Mischo
  • Anais Mitchell
  • Johnny Moeller
  • Irene Molloy
  • John Mooney
  • Mr. Brown
  • Trish Murphy
  • Cyril Neville and Tribe Thirteen
  • Paul Orta
  • Anders Osborne
  • Paul Oscher
  • The Outlaw Years

P – S

  • Mo Pair
  • Jeff Plankenhorn
  • John Popper (Blues Traveler)
  • Maryann Price
  • Gary Primich
  • Jason Ricci and New Blood
  • Ready Teddy
  • Slim Richey
  • The Ruta Maya Open Mic House Band
  • Richard Sanguinetti
  • Johnny Sansone
  • Scarecrow
  • Scrambled Yeggs
  • Ronnie Shellist
  • Sick's Pack
  • Sonny Boy Terry
  • The South Austin Jug Band
  • Susquehanna Hat Company

T – Z

  • That Damned Band
  • Three Penny Acre
  • Luther Tucker
  • Jimmy Turner
  • Idgy Vaughn
  • J. Wagner
  • Seth Walker
The Civil War, the Broadway musical The Civil War (Broadway)
Michael Rubin with Ruthie Foster With Ruthie Foster
Billy Jonas
“Michael Rubin is THE finest harmonica player I have ever had the privilege to play and record with. I LOVE his style — his timing, taste, tone, and creativity are outrageously off-the-charts wonderful. He is, without a doubt, a master!”
— Billy Jonas, billyjonas.com
LZ Love
“Michael Rubin is one of the most sensitive harmonica players around today. He plays what the music requires. And when it's time to get down!!! his sound swells like a three piece horn section…”
— LZ Love, lz-love.com
Michael Rubin with RJ Mischo
“Michael is an incredible musician, he has the tone & licks that all harp players should strive for, not to mention a great instructor that I believe can beautifully play just about any genre of music.”
— RJ Mischo, rjblues.com
Jeff Plankenhorn
“Michael Rubin is the single best harmonica player I have ever had the pleasure of playing with — hands down. He is a master of his instruments as well as a wealth of taste and innovation. Best of all playing with him is always…a blast.”
— Jeff Plankenhorn, Facebook
Michael Rubin with John Popper With John Popper

Jamming with Huey Lewis

Bands

The McMercy Family Band

For around 20 years, I have been a member of The McMercy Family Band. We play old time country gospel. We have two albums out, Hallelujah Anyhow and Live at Church. (Live rhymes with give. It's a good suggestion to live at church as much as possible. By coincidence, it was recorded live in a church.)

The McMercy Family Band McMercy Family Band

McMercy Family Band on Facebook

The Outlaw Years

The Outlaw Years is the premiere Willie Nelson tribute band, performing all across the United States. I am proud to bring the spirit of Mickey Raphael to the band. Check out theoutlawyears.com for performances.

The Outlaw Years — A Pure Tribute to Willie Nelson