Smokey Hormel
Session Guitar Master
Versatile guitarist blending Western Swing, blues, and world music across decades of work with Beck, Johnny Cash, and Tom Waits.
About
Smokey Hormel is an American guitarist born and raised in Los Angeles, known for his blues-influenced Americana style and prolific session work. He studied jazz guitar with Jimmy Wyble as a teenager, then established himself in LA's punk and roots scenes before joining Beck's Odelay tour in 1996. Since moving to New York in 2000, he has led multiple ensembles including Smokey's Round-up (Western Swing) and Smokey's Secret Family (African dance music).
Music Style
Hormel's approach combines textural, subtle guitar work with broad stylistic range from acoustic fingerpicking to electric slide. His playing emphasizes emotional depth and adaptability across genres including Western Swing, blues, bossa nova, and African music.
Background
- Hometown
- Los Angeles, California
- Instruments
- guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, dobro, harmonica, fiddle
- Active
- 1980s-present
Similar Artists
If you like Tom Waits, Beck, and Johnny Cash — you'll love this artist