Mark Hurwitz and Gin Creek is a two time nominee for Best Band by the Washington Blues Society. They specialize in jump blues, an upbeat blue style with elements of swing and jazz, but also play soul, funk, and roots rock - all with a strong rhythmic drive that keeps dance floors packed. The band maintains a busy schedule of club dates around Western Washington, and has also performed at many leading festivals and events, including The Westport Blues Festival, The Gorge Rhythm and Blues Festival, The Sunbanks Festival, The Tacoma Freedom Fair, The Taste of Tacoma, The Bite of Seattle, and Northwest Folklife. They gained a widespread following as the house band at Seattle's legendary New Orleans Creole Restaurant following Seahawks home games at nearby Century Link field during the team's Super Bowl and NFC Championship seasons. The band's sound is built around rocking piano, wailing saxophone, and multiple dynamic lead vocalists. The piano playing of leader Mark Hurwitz displays a broad range of influences, from New Orleans keyboard icons Dr. John and Professor Longhair to classic blues pianists like Otis Spann and Amos Milburn to rock'n'roll piano pounders Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard.