Who Am I?

My name is Dennis Gruenling. I got my first harmonica the same day I heard my first blues album (Harp Attack! on Alligator Records), and there was no turning back. Now I have shared the stage with many of my heroes, including Rod Piazza (below, whom I now perform with occasionally), I am featured on the Hohner Crossover harmonica box, and am in demand for my harmonica instructional workshops, webinars and lessons, as well as my performances around the globe...but how did this happen? 

Growing up as a rocker in New Jersey, I was always attracted to the bluesy side of things, until I discovered the original Rhythm & Blues masters from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s who have inspired and influenced countless Rock & Roll, Country, and modern-day Blues artists worldwide. I dropped out of high school (where I had my first radio show) and dove into this new music and instrument I discovered with a passion! Within my first year, I was being asked to perform with local acts, teach some beginner harmonica lessons, and fix vintage microphones (another passion of mine).

At this time (around 1999) I released my first album "Dennis Gruenling & Jump Time", and started touring beyond the East Coast. In the years since, I have recorded 6 more albums of my own, repaired and rebuilt HUNDREDS of vintage microphones for professional and amateur harp players worldwide, had a 15-year blues radio show in the NYC market, and taught hundreds of private students as well as classes at just about every Harmonica Camp and Workshop around the globe. 

Currently I record and perform worldwide with the Nick Moss Band,and perform out here on the West Coast with Blues Harp Legend Rod Piazza, as well as with several acts on the WILD Records recordinglabel. Upon joining forces with Nick Moss, we got signed with Alligator Records, with which we now have three releases (with a fourth is on the way in 2026...all of which garnering us some Blues Music Awards. Rod Piazza needs no introduction to blues harmonica fans, being a living legend on the Blues scene for more than five decades and still pioneering his own powerful sound and style...and STILL playing at the top of his game these days! And Los Angeles-based Wild Records is legendary on the worldwide Rockabilly and roots Rock & Roll scene

On BadAss Harmonica, you will get a chance to see and hear the vintage microphones I have for sale, buy/download my music and jam tracks, check out my exclusive selection of shirts and mugs (designed by yours truly), seek out some very useful harmonica information with the Q&A Webinars...and so much more!