Mark & Jill with Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo

Mark & Jill

"Watching Mark and Jill, there's no doubt they have a spiritual relationship to blues music and to each other. It's riveting to watch them and feel the music take over the room." – Sarah Craig

Where the Delta Meets the Rio Grande — Blues, Soul & Slide Guitar Fire

Based in Upstate New York, Mark & Jill blend New Orleans groove with Austin soul, crafting a raw, heartfelt acoustic blues sound. NY Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Mark Tolstrup plays resonant slide and fingerstyle guitar, and Texas-born vocalist Jill Tolstrup delivers soulful, powerhouse performances. Their sound is gritty, honest, and timeless.

Their chemistry is unmistakable. Over Mark’s haunting slide guitar, their voices rise and intertwine, channeling the earliest roots of the blues while bringing a fresh, vibrant energy to the tradition. Their songs explore the hard edges of life and the deep joys of being alive—always with spirit and soul.

Drawing from Delta blues, gospel, early roots, and American folk, their live shows move effortlessly from foot-stomping originals to reimagined classics. Whether on a festival stage or in an intimate listening room, Mark & Jill bring an irresistible mix of heat, harmony, and emotional depth.

Twice selected to represent the Northeast at the International Blues Challenge, where they reached the semi-finals, the duo has earned a devoted following among blues lovers, guitar fans, and roots-music audiences throughout the region.

Don’t miss this electrifying duo as they return to Caffè Lena. Come hear where the Delta meets the Rio Grande—and feel the blues come fully alive.

Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo — Acoustic Roots & Country Blues

The Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo brings old-school acoustic blues to the Caffè Lena stage. Praised by Living Blues Magazine as “today’s country blues at its very best,” Erin Harpe is celebrated as “one of the finest fingerpicking acoustic blues singers in the land.”

With soulful vocals, dazzling Piedmont-style guitar, foot percussion, and kazoo, Erin Harpe delivers an authentic, electrifying sound. Paired with Jim Countryman’s grooving bass and harmony vocals, the duo creates a full-band feel with just two players—tight, rhythmic, joyful, and deeply rooted in tradition.

Fresh off a UK and Spain tour, Erin and Jim bring decades of musical chemistry and a set packed with blues classics, heartfelt originals, and high-energy roots music.

Don’t miss this powerhouse duo bringing true country blues to life—raw, rhythmic, and straight from the heart.

Livestream and ticket info:
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