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Bruce Kurnow, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota and now a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, is enjoying a long career in the music business. At age three he began piano lessons and was immediately hooked. As a teenager he discovered a special connection with the harmonica and has remained dedicated to exploring the possibilities of the instrument. He went on to become a music major at the University of Minnesota, primarily a classical school. He studied piano, stringed harp, guzheng (Chinese harp), voice, theory and composition, which have proven to be a solid foundation for his subsequent work, including forty recordings of original compositions and eleven others of non-original music (see discography). Combined sales of these recordings are over 1,000,000 copies. His recording, Harmonicaland, was nominated for Best Solo Instrumental Album of 2004 by Just Plain Folks. Bruce has been recognized with four Minnesota Music Awards for his harmonica, stringed harp and keyboard work. Since 1971 he has been an active studio musician, playing on hundreds of commercials, albums and film scores. As a performer, Bruce played piano with harmonica master Mojo Buford, who named him “Creeper.” In 1971 he went to Los Angeles on vacation and was surprised by the sudden opportunity to tour the United States and Canada with popular country-rock group Mason Proffit, playing 300 cities per year and recording with the group from 1971-1974 (the group reunited in 2003). During that time he was also fortunate to have been invited to perform with Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, two of his all-time favorite musicians. When Mason Proffit disbanded Bruce decided to move back to Minneapolis. He co-founded Passage with guitarist Bobby Schnitzer, his long-time friend and band-mate since junior high school. The group disbanded in 1979 and was followed up by the Doug Maynard Band, based around the original vocalist of Passage. This group leaned heavily toward traditional blues and R&B and released a vinyl LP titled The Lullaby. In a recent Minneapolis Star and Tribune poll, both groups were honored as two of the seven greatest live Minnesota rock acts of the ‘70s. Passage was recently inducted into the Minnesota Rock & Country Hall of Fame. Bruce left the Doug Maynard Band in 1980 to pursue a solo career, performing as a singer/songwriter and also showcasing his unique simultaneous combination of stringed harp and harmonica.

Bruce Kurnow Discography

Year Title (Record Label) Format 1981 Mystery (The Musical Experience) LP 1988 First Light (Journey Records-8801) Cassette 1988 Quiet Movements (Journey Records-8802) Cassette 1988 Dream Sounds (Journey Records-8803) Cassette 1988 Eagle’s Call (Journey Records-8804) Cassette 1991 Trail of the Wolf (Journey Records-9106) Cassette 1993 Nature’s Noel (NorthSound-23142) CD/Cass 1993 Earth Rhythms (NorthSound-28142) CD/Cass 1993 Mystic Waters (NorthSound-28342) CD/Cass 1993 Sky Passage (NorthSound-28242) CD/Cass 1994 Seasons on the Wind (NorthSound-24162) CD/Cass 1994 Forest Reflections (Switchback-01) CD/Cass 1994 Mountain Mysteries (Switchback-02) CD/Cass 1994 Lake Impressions (Switchback-03) CD/Cass 1996 The Nature of Love (Switchback-04) CD/Cass 1996 Mountain Moods (Banff Music-5025) CD/Cass 1996 Natural Vistas (Dawn Awakening-086) Cassette 1996 Christmas Harp (Holland/Ross-6667-2) CD/Cass 1997 Christmas Harp (2) (Compass Productions) CD/Cass 1998 Celtic Echoes (Anodyne Music-2001-2) CD 1998 Harp / Christmas Instr. (Lifescapes-LS10-6-70-2) CD/Cass 1999 Relaxing Harp (Lifescapes-LS12-5-79-3) CD/Cass 1999 Harmonicaland (Switchback-05) CD 2001 Pachelbel’s Christmas (Switchback-06) CD 2001 Christmas Harp (3) (Compass Productions) CD/Cass 2002 Peaceful Piano (Switchback-07) CD 2003 Here and Now (Switchback-08) CD 2004 Peaceful Harp (Lifescapes-LS39-227-2) CD 2005 Holidays in Harmonicaland (Switchback-09) CD 2005 DreamSounds (Switchback-10) 2 CDs 2006 Songs of Earth and Sky (Switchback-11) CD 2006 If I Could Fly (Switchback-13) CD 2006 Full Circle (Switchback-14) CD 2006 Earth Rhythms (Switchback-15) CD 2006 Mystic Waters (Switchback-16) CD 2006 Inner Journey (Switchback-17) CD 2006 Relaxing Christmas Harp (Lifescapes) CD 2007 Live in Palm Springs (Switchback-18) CD 2007 Healing Harp (Switchback-19) CD 2009 Live in Palm Springs, Vol. II (Switchback-20) CD 2009 Healing (New Folk Records) CD 2009 Peaceful Dreams (Switchback-21) CD, 2020 Peaceful Sunset (Bruce Kurnow Music) Digital only, 2020 Illumination (Bruce Kurnow Music) Digital only, 2020 Meditations (Bruce Kurnow Music) Digital only

Bruce Kurnow Recording Credits

Album Title-- Artist (Year) Instrument Aesop-- Zesinger, Ann (2002) Keyboards, Stringed Harp and Harmonica Pearls of Wisdom-- Zaikine, Zak (2001) Keyboards, Harmonica, Composer This is Fun Expensive Fun-- Wiggins, Tommy (1980) Harmonica One Heart-- Warrick-Smith/Donohoo/Pena (1996) Stringed Harp What a Life --Warren, Scott (1983) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Mississippi-- Victor, Jeff (1996) Harmonica Seasons of Giverny-- Victor, Jeff (1999) Chromatic Harmonica Celtic River-- Victor, Jeff (1997) Stringed Harp Duets: Flute/Harp-- Victor, Jeff (1998) Stringed Harp Emerald Isle-- Victor, Jeff (1998) Harmonica Hymns-- Victor, Jeff (1999) Stringed Harp, Harmonica, Gu Zheng Secret Places-- Victor, Jeff (1996) Harmonica A Love Worth Fighting For-- Various Artists (1998) Stringed Harp 50 Greatest Songs of Christmas-- Various (1997) Stringed Harp, Keyboards, Harmonica For the Dead in Space, Vol. II&III, Tribute to Tom Rapp-- Various (2003) Stringed Harp Seasons of Life-- Vagle, Fred & Anna Mae (1979) Piano, Rhodes, Harmonica and Stringed Harp God is so Good-- Vagle, Anna Mae (1976) Keyboards, Stringed Harp and Harmonica Whatever Happened to the Blues-- Upchurch, Phil (1992) Harmonica First Contribution-- Torkelson, Jim (1976) Harmonica Karen Therese & Jai Café-- Therese, Karen (1994) Keyboards If He Could Only Reach Her-- Temple, Robert (2001) Keyboards The Talbot Brothers-- Talbot Brothers (1974) Harmonica, Piano Heaven Help Us All-- Steeles, The (1993) Harmonica Here It Is-- Steele, Jevetta (1993) Harmonica Jesus is Mine-- Spokesmen Quartet (1993) Harmonica Coast to Coast-- Shaeffer, Paul (1990) Harmonica Heartfelt Favorites-- Schultz, Cynthia (2000) Keyboards Sea of Dreams-- Schnitzer, Bobby (2001) Stringed Harp Stingin'-- Schnitzer, Bobby (1984) Keyboards, Stringed Harp, Harmonica and Linn Drum Passion Flower-- Schnitzer, Bobby (2000) Stringed Harp and Keyboards Do You Remember?-- Schnitzer, Bobby (1989) Stringed Harp, Harmonica and Keyboards Lay Me Open-- Ryman, Barb (1995) Harmonica Like a Tree --Ryman, Barb (1997) Harmonica Showstoppers-- Robinson, Robert w/Lorie Line (2001) Harmonica Praise From the Heart Robinson, Robert & Henry Wiens-- (1998) Stringed Harp From the Heart-- Robinson, Robert & Henry Wiens (1996) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Christmas from the Heart-- Robinson, Robert & Henry Wiens (1997) Stringed Harp Through the Window-- Reed, Ann (2000) Harmonica Hole in the Day-- Reed, Ann (1993) Harmonica, Piano, Stringed Harp Life Gets Real-- Reed, Ann (1994) Harmonica, Piano, Stringed Harp Road of the Heart-- Reed, Ann (1991) Harmonica Valentine Collection-- Reed, Ann (2004) Harmonica and Piano Café Ole-- Prin, Tom (1998) Harmonica With all My Heart-- Prin, Tom (1999) Harmonica Spirit & Soul-- Prin, Tom (1997) Harmonica The Shape of Things to Come-- Potts, L. K. (2003) Harmonica Infant Holy-- Petrunak, Steve (1999) Harmonica Breath of God-- Petrunak, Steve (1999) Harmonica Heartwood-- Pearson, Jack (1997) Harmonica To All Purple Tree Trunks-- Pearson, Jack (1991) Harmonica Buckeye-- Patton, David (1972) Piano, Harmonica Brenda Patterson-- Patterson, Brenda (1973) Harmonica Love Worth Defending-- Patriot (1984) Harmonica Bluegrass-- Ostroushko, Peter (1999) Harmonica Sacred Heart-- Ostroushko, Peter (2000) Harmonica Heart of the Heartland-- Ostroushko, Peter (1995) Harmonica Pilgrims on the Heart Road-- Ostroushko, Peter (1997) Harmonica Yankee Cowboy-- Nystrom, Tom (2002) Harmonica Moment of Truth-- Nunn, Terri (1991) Harmonica Paris Newton, Dan-- (1999) Harmonica Kid's Singalong-- Newton, Dan (1998) Harmonica Old Love-- Neal & Leandra (1992) Harmonica, Stringed Harp Moms That Cook-- Music Workshop for Kids (1999) Harmonica Sleeping with the Fishes-- Music Workshop for Kids (1996) Stringed Harp Toddlers Sing Rock & Roll-- Music for Little People (2002) Keyboards Somethin' Fishy-- Menten, Dale (2000) Harmonica The Lullaby Maynard, Doug-- (1980) Keyboards, Harmonica and Stringed Harp Lost in the Blues-- Maynard, Doug (1990) Harmonica and Keyboards Million Year Mind-- Mayer, Peter (1999) Harmonica Bare Back Rider-- Mason Proffit (1973) Keyboards and Harmonica Mason Proffit is Back Mason Proffit 2003 Piano, Synth, Harmonica, Vocals Rockfish Crossing-- Mason Proffit (1972) Keyboards and Harmonica Sweet Thunder-- Long, Larry (1987) Harp The Heritage Collection, Vol. III-- Line, Lorie (2002) Harmonica Music from the Heart-- Line, Lorie (1997) Harmonica and Keyboards Sharing the Season, Vol. IV-- Line, Lorie (2002) Harmonica Lorie Line Favorites-- Line, Lorie (1999) Harp, Harmonica Holiday Collection-- Line, Lorie (1998) Keyboards, Harmonica Lorie Line Holiday Collection-- Line, Lorie (1998) Keyboards, Harmonica, Harp Sharing the Season Vol. II-- Line, Lorie (1993) Harmonica and Stringed Harp Young at Heart-- Line, Lorie (2004) Harmonica Home for the Holidays-- Line, Lorie (1997) Harmonica Walking with You-- Line, Lorie (1994) Harmonica Heart & Soul-- Line, Lorie (1995) Harmonica, Keyboards The Heritage Collection, Vol. I-- Line, Lorie (1994) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Open House-- Line, Lorie (1997) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Yes The Heritage Collection, Vol. II-- Line, Lorie (1998) Harmonica Lorie Line Live-- Line, Lorie (1996) Harmonica and Keyboards Sharing the Season Vol. III-- Line, Lorie (1995) Celtic Harp, Harmonica and Keyboards Tiger in the Lillies-- Lemmens, Tim (1995) Harmonica Good Morning Sun, Goodnight Moon-- K, James (2002) Harmonica, Keyboards God of Life and of the Living-- Joncas, Michael (1988) Stringed Harp Winter Name of God-- Joncas, Michael (1988) Stringed Harp Little Dreamer-- Johnson, Prudence (1984) Harmonica, Stringed Harp Music from Eclectia-- Johansson, Bruce (1986) Keyboards, Stringed Harp and Harmonica Minnesota Blues-- Jesse, the Impersonator (David Ehrlich) (1999) Harmonica Soul Searching-- Holmen, Kenni (2001) Harmonica Sounds of the Season-- Holmen, Kenni (2003) Harmonica, Keyboards Rockabye-- Holcomb, Robin (1992) Harmonica Bob Hink-- Hink, Bob (2002) Harmonica Audition-- Hersch, James (1980) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Spirit of the Wood-- Helgeson, Glen (1995) Harmonica Night of Silence-- Haugen, Marty (1988) Harp Take Time-- Hass, Al (2003) Harmonica, Keyboards Quiet Corner-- Harrington, Jeff (1975) Piano, Harmonica and Percussion Company-- Harley, Kelly and Kroog (1997) Harmonica Travelin'-- Hallquist, Billy (1975) Harmonica Star Child-- Haas, David (2000) Harmonica David Haas-- Haas, David (2003) Harmonica Throughout All Time-- Haas, David (1999) Harmonica Born to be Surprised-- Griffin, Phil (1996) Harp, Piano and Keyboards Life is a Dream-- Glick, Dave (1989) Harmonica and Keyboards Let Us Consider-- GambleFolk (1980) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Tom Franzak-- Franzak, Tom (2003) Harmonica Child's Way Home-- Fragodt, Kim & Brian (1998) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Transcending Pain-- Falcone, Kim & Steven (1996) Stringed Harp, Keyboards, Composer Simple Pleasures-- Edwards, Jennifer (1995) Celtic Harp, Piano Pullin' No Punches-- Disciples of Christ (1995) Harmonica Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber-- Dickerson, Big John and Blue Chamber (1997) Harmonica Wishful Thinking-- Deacon, Michael (1982) Harmonica Jaguar at Half Moon Lake-- Dancing Hands (Dean Magraw and Alan Dworsky) (1997) Harmonica, Gu Zheng Time Glider --Dainty, Jack (1988) Keyboards, Harmonica and Stringed Harp A Summer Rose-- Cole, Ellie (1970) Keyboards and Harmonica Of My Native Land-- Clothesline Revival (2002) Harmonica Peacegiver Carlson, Mary Beth-- (1999) Stringed Harp and Harmonica Monsters & Heroes-- Caplan, Zip (2001) Stringed Harp In My Younger Days-- Buford, Mojo (1969) Piano Alloy-- Boiled in Lead (1998) Harmonica Moving Into Shabbat-- Bloomfield, Diane (1999) Piano Tikkun Olam-- Bloom, Mark (1994) Sequencing Vagabond-- Blackwell, Paul (2002) Stringed Harp, Harmonica, Keyboards Treasures-- Berry, Robin (1997) Harmonica Joy of the Season-- Berry, Robin (1998) Keyboards Glory-- Berry, Robin (2002) Harmonica Serenity-- Berry, Robin (1999) Keyboards Winter's Gift-- Berry, Robin (1995) Keyboards Livin' on Mars-- Behringer, Jimi (2000) Harmonica Everyone Who is Thisty, Come!-- Beech, Jay (2002) Harmonica Batdorf & Rodney-- Batdorf & Rodney (1972) Harmonica Holiday-- Bash (1992) Harmonica We Can Move-- Baker, Phil (1997) Harmonica R&B Christmas-- Bailey, Jeffrey (1999) Harmonica Paris-- Asche & Spencer (1998) Harmonica Caribbean-- Asche & Spencer (1997) Harmonica Ride the Ride-- Arundel, Jeff (1997) Harmonica Compass-- Arundel, Jeff (1993) Harmonica The Lake-- Arkou (1997) Harmonica He's Been Faithful-- Anderson, Paul (1999) Stringed Harp and Harmonica