Mark LaVoie

Performing Artist & Harmonica Customizer.  Plays Big River Harp.

For more than 30 years Mark Lavoie has been performing for crowds both large and small. His passion for and commitment to music, particularly blues harmonica, is admired by the many musicians who have played with him. Mark enjoys spreading the word about harmonica music and is an active member of national groups working to preserve and promote the harmonica as an accessible, inexpensive instrument. Mark had the opportunity to travel and perform with Sonny Terry, harmonica virtuoso and half of the popular duo Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, during the ‘70s. Mark has recorded with many Vermont musicians, from John Gailmor to Big Joe Burrell. He is part of a duo, Cooper and Lavoie, who play regularly at special events, clubs, and ski areas throughout Vermont. He has recorded most recently with Warner Brothers recording artist Bill Sims, Jr. Bill and Mark have performed together at blues festivals and clubs for the past three years.

During his live, all ages show Mark plays and sings traditional blues and demonstrates how to play simple chords on the 10 hole diatonic harmonica. Most people have a harmonica somewhere in the back of a drawer and Mark’s show often inspires audience members to go home, dig out their harmonica, and give it a try. One of Mark’s favorite activities is instructing groups of students, young and old, in harmonica. He has given lessons in a small private school, college classroom, and for a high school music class. These instructional workshops can take place during one day or for a series of days. Mark is a Hohner harmonica endorsee and is able to get discount rates on harmonicas for group instruction.

"Mark is a brilliant, exciting, and perceptive player. He has a long history of experience with authentic blues performance. He does a great presentation and is an excellent teacher. I was very impressed with how he lead an entire class through the basic steps and had them playing right away. I also noticed how, in the time since his visit, everything he told the class has helped them continue to improve."

                                               --- Dr. Peter Hamlin Associate Professor of Music, Middlebury College. Commenting on Mark’s workshop with his Music Theory Fundamentals class, 2005.