Biography

-2016-

“Dennis Gruenling goes uptown and gets lowdown with unerring musical instinct. For the first time in his long recording career, the harmonica ace steps up to the vocal microphone, and proves to be a singer of considerable wit and depth, without slighting his trademark instrumental wizardry. His is the voice best suited to deliver the boogies, rock and roll, blues, and big beat numbers on this new recording, his first all-original set. Gruenling does it all here. READY OR NOT? Definitely ready!!!”
— Tom Hyslop, music journalist
“The disc is full of danceable tracks that reprise a time when Blues and R&B sounds were fused to create Rock ‘n’ Roll... features plenty of Gruenling’s outstanding, dynamic harmonica playing. From the swinging beat of “If You Wanna Rock” to his horn-like licks on “Think Twice,” or his full-bodied tone and imaginative playing on “Simmer Down” to the evil-sounding “Ready To Burn”, Dennis offers even further proof that he is undoubtedly one of the finest blues harp players of his generation.” — Mark Thompson, from the liner notes
READY OR NOT was cut at Atomic Sound, Brooklyn, NY, during a winter weekend when a mammoth snowstorm shut down New York City. Produced by Steve Conte (Michael Monroe, New York Dolls, Willy DeVille, Company of Wolves), the album features Dennis Gruenling on his world-renowned Badass Harmonica and all vocals, longtime touring partners from Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones — Doug Deming on guitar and Andrew Gohman on Upright and Fender bass — plus drummer Mike Bram (Gruenling’s Jump Time band, Dave Gross, Jason Mraz), Doug Sasfai on tenor sax, and Dave Keyes on piano.