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Thursday, April 26, 2012

April 29, Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill, Burbank
Featuring Kelly Zirbes, The 44s, Gino Matteo, Jason Ricci, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps.
April 30, Belly Up, Solana Beach
Tommy Castro, Janiva Magness, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones, Kim Wilson, Anson Funderburgh, Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Debbie Davies, Earl Thomas, Jack Tempchin, the Beat Farmers and current and former members of the Candye Kane Band.

 

Get well cards and / or donations can be sent to this address:

Candye Kane
1604 Alvarado Street
Oceanside, CA 92054

Friday, April 18, 2012

April 5, 2012

March 29, 2012

  • Mud Morganfield CD Release Party Saturday at Legends! On March 20 Severn Records released the first national release by Mud Morganfield, the eldest son of Muddy Waters. This release is called Son Of The Seventh Son and it has already received about 20 rave reviews which you can read by clicking here. A CD release party is planned for Saturday night, March 31st at Buddy Guy's Legends with an opening set by Eddie Taylor, Jr. before Mud and band take the stage! Mud Morganfield's band that night will consist of Rick Kreher, Barrelhouse Chuck, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, E.G. McDaniel, Harmonica Hinds and Bob Corritore plus guest appearances by Katherine Davis and Deitra plus a few surprises! Copies of Son Of The Seventh Son will be available that night. To see the flier for this event click here. Buddy Guy's Legends is located at 700 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60605. Also Mud and the band will make a live televised appearance Friday morning, March 30 on Chicago's WGN and this broadcast is available throughout the USA.

  • Tail Dragger & Bob Corritore / Longtime Friends In The Blues makes a strong entry! Tail Dragger & Bob Corritore collaborated on the powerful album Longtime Friends In The Blues which was just released last week on the Delta Groove label. With promotion just started 2 weeks ago this CD has been met with an initial wave of positive reaction. To see the first 15 glowing reviews of this CD click here. To see the Roots Radio Report for this week which debuts this CD at #17 click here. The CD has been listed in the the "Top 50 Breakthrough Recordings" in the Antiquarian Librarian which lists all musical genres! To see this listing click here. Tail Dragger and Bob will headline the Stompin' At The Savoy festival in Helsinki, Finland on April 14th. To see the beautiful poster for the festival click here. There will be an official CD release party on Thursday, June 7 at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted in Chicago which BTW is the day before the Chicago Blues Festival. Features on Tail Dragger will appear in upcoming issues of Living Blues and IL Blues Magazines. Bob just did an interview on Jim and Diane on WCTG in VA,  and both Tail Dragger and Bob interviewed with Matt Kacar at Artist Connection Podcast, and Mark Wade at A1Blues.com. Thanks to all the writers, reviewers, radio show hosts, bloggers, and fans for their support!

  • Louisiana Red remembered with new photo page! We remember  and celebrate the life of the recently deceased Louisiana Red with a beautiful photo page. Red was a gloriously talented down-home blues artist and his musical contributions will live through eternity. Thanks to all the folks who sent in photos of Red upon the news of his passing. Some of those are included on this page, which you can see by clicking here.

  • RIP Jerry McCain - June 18, 1930 to March 28, 2012 Harmonica master Jerry McCain passed away yesterday at age 81.  He was born in Gadsden, Alabama which remained his home town throughout his life. He became a harmonica player at an early age and made his debut recordings for Trumpet in 1953. This would be followed by brilliant recordings for Excello, Rex, Okeh, Jewel, Romulus, GAS, Ichiban, Cedar, and Music Maker. McCain is worshiped by blues harmonica lovers for his great sense of phrasing, some wonderful trademark licks, and a beautiful full-bodied tone. He was also a great singer and a brilliant and often humourous songwriter, and on some of his classic recordings are considered the bedrock of early rock & roll. He will be best remembered for his now classic double single on Rex Records of "She's Tough" with it's catchy vocal break, and the flip of the evergreen harmonica instrumental "Steady." Both of these songs are often covered band-stand favorites. The Fabulous Thunderbirds re-popularized "She's Tough" with a version on their 1979 debut record which brought wider attention to McCain's original version. We thank Jerry McCain for his many great and timeless recordings and the profound infuence he had on the blues.

               For Jerry McCain's bio by Larry Benicewicz click here

To read about his passing in the Gadsden Times click here

To hear Jerry McCain's "Steady" click here

To hear "She's Tough" click here  

To hear his version of "Red Top" on the Okeh label click here

To hear "My Next Door Neighbor" click here  

To hear Jerry first record "Wine-O-Wine" on Trumpet, click here .

 

  • Alan Lomax field recordings available online at no charge. Alan Lomax in his tireless work as a folklorist for the Library Of Congress, went around the USA with portable recording equipment to capture and historically archive American folk music, including many great recordings of the blues. His contributions to preserving and exposing musical traditions are nothing short of amazing. The Lomax recordings are becoming available online for free some 10 years after the folklorist's passing. Click here for the NPR story:

  • Son House On YouTube! Please enjoy this powerful A Capella performance of Son House singing his classic "Grinnin'  In Your Face" which you can click here to see.

March 16, 2012

February 25, 2012

  • RIP Iverson Minter AKA Louisiana Red March 23rd, 1932- to February 25, 2012. It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of one of the greatest and most beloved traditional blues artists. Louisiana Red died this afternoon at a hospital in Germany (Note Europe is 9 hours ahead) after a few days in a coma brought on by thyroid imbalance. He was 79. Louisiana Red was a powerful downhome blues artist who could channel his teachers (among them Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker) into his own heartfelt musical conversation, delivered with such moving passion and honesty that it would leave his audiences indelibly touched. He was fine singer with a distinctive voice, and an amazing guitarist who could play all of the traditional blues styles and excelled as one of the world's greatest slide guitarists. He could create moods and textures, both musically and spiritually, and had the ability of falling so deep into his own songs that he would go to tears, making his audience cry with him. That was the gift of this great artist. 

Wikipedia lists Louisiana Red as being born in Bessemer, Alabama but his own reports have fluctuated from various Southern towns and cities. Red lost his mother at birth and his father was killed in a Ku Klux Klan lynching when Red was just 5 years old. He lived in an orphanage in New Orleans for a few a his childhood years until his grandmother took him to Pittsburgh to live. A few years later she bought him his first guitar, a $12 Kay. Red would play along with records and the radio and begged some guitar lessons from his first mentor, Crit Walters. It was early in life that Red made the decision to become a blues musician. In the late 1940s Red would follow his passion to Detroit where he would become friends with Eddie Burns and John Lee Hooker. He would make his first recordings in Detroit for producer Joe Von Battle under the moniker of Rocky Fuller, a pair of these recordings were leased to Chess records. He would accompany John Lee Hooker on a session for Modern Records and you can hear Red shouting "Lord Have Mercy" in the middle of JLH's "Down Child". Red would also land a 1953 recording session in Chicago for Chess in which he is accompanied by Little Walter on the brilliant "Funeral Hearse At My Door" which remained in the vaults unreleased for decades. Red's next stop would be New York where he would record for producer Bobby Robinson and for Atlas Records. But it was Louisiana Red's 1962 Roulette label recordings that garnered him national recognition as a bluesman. His single "Red's Dream" with its humorous political commentary became a major hit and was followed by the Roulette album The Lowdown Back Porch Blues. This was followed by the 1965 release of Louisiana Red Sings The Blues on Atco. In the mid 70s he became the cornerstone of the Blue Labor label cutting two excellent solo acoustic albums; Sweet Blood Call and Dead Stray Dog and also appearing on that label as a featured sideman on albums by Johnny Shines, Roosevelt Sykes, Brownie McGhee, and Peg Leg Sam. He was romantically involved with folk legend Odetta for a small period of time in the 1970s. European promoters and booking agents took an interest, and Red found a new audience with his annual overseas tours. Labels such as L+R from Germany and JSP from England began recording Red, the latter debuting their catalog with Red, Funk and Blue, a duet album with Sugar Blue. Red appeared as himself in the movie Come Back featuring Eric Burdon of Animals fame. Red lived in Chicago for awhile in the early 1980s where he worked at the Delta Fish Market. He would then move to Phoenix in late 1981 where he lived and played with Bob Corritore for about a year.

Red left Phoenix for a European tour in late 1982, and it was then and there that he met his true love, Dora, who he married and spent the rest of his life with. Dora gave Red an uncompromised love and the constant companionship and protective looking-out-for that Red needed. Dora also provided the family situation that Red yearned for in his life as Red took great pride in his love and adoption of Dora's sons. The positive impact and dedication that Dora provided Red was simply amazing. Red would live in Hanover Germany for the rest of his life with Dora and each year in January, the two would vacation in Ghana, Africa, Dora's country of origin. He found work so plentiful in Europe that for a period of time he rarely would come to the USA. In 1995 Earwig Records would release Sittin' Here Wondering. which had been recorded by Bob Corritore in 1982 and sat on the shelf for over a decade. This CD created a relationship between Red and Earwig label chief Michael Frank who would record 2 more records by Red and book annual US tours. Releases followed on High Tone and Severn as well as a documentary DVD released only in Europe. In 2009 Little Victor struck gold with his production of Red's Back To The Black Bayou CD released first on the Bluestown Label and then picked up by Ruf Records. Victor had idolized and studied under Red for years and lovingly coaxed this brilliant album from his mentor. Back To The Black Bayou swept Europe and the US with awards and nominations. Simultaneously, Red's collaboration with pianist David Maxwell produced You Got To Move, and in 2010 Red would go to the Blues Music Awards with 5 nominations and receive 2 wins! Little Victor also produced Red's final critically acclaimed CD Memphis Mojo.

It is sad to say goodbye to the loving persona of this great bluesman who's music warmed our hearts  Louisiana Red's vulnerability became his strength and he filled his heart with an unstoppable passion for music and acceptance. His legacy is great and his friendships are many. He can now rest in peace after a lifetime of giving us everything he had through his amazing blues. God bless you Red.

February 23, 2012

  • This weekend at the Rhythm Room; Lucius Parr CD Release Party, A Blues Benefit and The Rocket 88s with guests!  The Rhythm Room in Phoenix will present the blues this weekend with Lucius Parr (the nephew of Albert Collins) hosting a CD release party for his new CD Gotta Go. Guests include George Bowman, Charlie Rae, Gloria Bailey, Bob Corritore (who plays of 3 tracks of the new CD) and others.To see the event flier click here. On Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:30 Mary Godfrey hosts a benefit called Breathe The Blues Away. To see the event flier with the lineup of many bands click here . On Saturday night the veteran Rocket 88s (Bill and Susie Tarsha and Dave Forster) bring their traditional blues sound to the Rhythm Room with special guests Johnny Rapp, Keith Rogers, Dave Riley and Bob Corritore. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Rd,. Phoenix, AZ 85014.

  • Blues is celebrated at the White House! Last Tuesday night President Barack Obama presented an evening honoring the blues as part of Black History Month. Many aspects of the blues and it's popular crossover were featured and the artist's included were B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, Trombone Shorty, Warren Haynes, Jeff Beck, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Gary Clark, Jr. and a house band led by Booker T (of Booker T. and the MGs fame). President Obama even joined in for a few lines of "Sweet Home Chicago"! Both Etta James and Hubert Sumlin were memorialized. The filming in it's live raw form was viewable online last night, and the edited presentation will be available on PBS on Monday night (Consult your local listings for the exact time). The White House blues celebration will be watched by millions and should give all of us in this industry a boost! To see the Yahoo News article and some clips from the night click here.

  • First Mud Morganfield CD reviews! The highly anticipated new CD, Mud Morganfield / Son Of The Seventh Son on the Severn label has a release date of March 20. But it is already garnering some great initial airplay and the first batch of rave reviews. To see the first two published reviews click here. Look out for Mud's CD release party on March 31st at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago!

  • 2011 BMA Photo Page! As the voting for the 2012 BMA is in it's last week, we have put together a photo page of some of the fun times from last year's event. The BMAs are simply the greatest blues hang that there is. This year's BMA ceremony takes place on Thursday May 10, 2012 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information on the BMAs go to the Blues Foundation website at www.blues.org. Note that Voting ends at 07:59:59 (CST) Thursday, March 1, 2012. To see our 2011 BMA photo page click here.

  • Chicago Blues Guide pays tribute to Maxwell Street! Please enjoy this beautiful article and photo expose recently posted by the Chicago Blues Guide. Tom Smith provides an insider's look at the grand blues tradition of Chicago's Maxwell Street market. Each Sunday morning a gathering of street vendors, hustlers, bargain seekers, and blues and gospel street performers came to this street. It was a cultural smorgasbord with healthy servings of blues dished up in fine form. To see this article click here.

  • B.B. King on Sesame Street! B.B. King sings the blues about the letter "B" on a 2004 episode of the children's show Sesame Street! This performance, complete with Big Bird, Bert and other show characters, is simply amazing! Click here. 

  • Jimmy Rogers on harmonica! It is not well known that Jimmy Rogers was a great harmonica player as he is most celebrated for his intricate guitar-work and his elegant blues vocals. Please enjoy the "Round About Boogie" from 1948, which happens to be Jimmy Rogers' first record, where he sings and plays harmonica:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-oNtUSbgJA. And here is a nice write-up on the song and how it fits into Chicago blues history by the renown blues journalist / harmonica player Scott Dirks http://www.the-blindman.com/text.htm.

  • Junior Wells with Buddy Guy on YouTube! Please enjoy this riveting 1970 performance showing the musical chemistry of Junior Wells and Buddy Guy from the movie Chicago Blues. Click here.

February 9, 2012

February 3, 2012

  • Off to Memphis for the IBCs! The International Blues Challenge (AKA IBCs) is a time when the blues community comes together to greet the up-and-coming artists that will be part of the future of this music. During the IBCs, many bands from all over the world will compete for a chance at great recognition in the blues community. In addition to this event, there are many side attractions such as the Keeping The Blues Alive awards presentations, various showcases, a now famous jam after hours at the Rum Boogie hosted by Bob Margolin, and much networking. Blues societies, booking agents, labels, festivals, publications, photographers, and every possible blues industry type is in attendance, as well a multitude of fans who come to take part in this blues spectacle! For more information on this event click here. To see the flier for Bob Margolin's after hours jam, please click here.

  • Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ turns 28 this Sunday! Bob Corritore's radio show, Those Lowdown Blues celebrates 28 years on Sunday! Bob has earned a strong radio listenership with the show's timeless historic presentation of the genre and with Bob's extensive personal library of blues music. The show has been celebrated locally with numerous New Times "Best Of Phoenix" awards and other press and recognition, received the Blues Foundation's "Keeping The Blues Alive Award" in 2007, and won an "Honorary Membership" from Collectif Des Radios Blues presented to Bob in France at the 2008 Cognac Blues Festival! You can tune into Those Lowdown Blues each Sunday from 6pm to 11pm Arizona time, or hear it online at www.kjzz.org. Thanks to KJZZ for their commitment to blues music!

  • John Primer to headline Chciago Blues weekend at the the Rhythm Room! On February 10 and 11 the Rhythm Room will present two nights of glorious Chicago blues with John Primer backed by the Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey) plus very special guest Barrelhouse Chuck on piano. John has an exceptional resume: He worked in the house band at Theresa's Lounge along side of Sammy Lawnhorn, where he regularly backed Junior Wells and James Cotton. He was in the last lineup of the Muddy Waters Blues Band, he worked with Magic Slim & The Teardrops for years. He played on the Grammy winning CD, Pinetop Perkins & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith / Joined At The Hip. He is currently a featured artist in the highly aclaimed Chicago Blues: A Living History package. We look forward to a weekend of pure Chicago Blues. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85014. To see the flyer for this event click here.

  • Diunna Greenleaf continues to garner critical acclaim! Congratulations to Houston based blues queen Diunna Greenleaf as her new album, Trying To Hold On, continues to be met with critical acclaim. The most recent Blues Revue Magazine with Robert Cray on the cover features a rave review of the record by Kay Cordtz. And in that same issue, her CD was in the Bravo listing of most listened to CDs in the Blues Revue offices! Blues Revue is also preparing a future Diunna Greenleaf feature article written by Tim Parsons. She was recently featured in Deitra Farr's Artist To Artist column in Living Blues Magazine. She is the feature of Honey Sepeda's blog Honey Bee's Blues. Diunna is up for a Blues Music Award in the "Koko Taylor Traditional Female Blues Artist" category and Trying To Hold On is up for "Traditional Blues CD"! 

  •  Amazing 1940's Footage of Sonny Boy Williamson and Robert Jr. Lockwood! Please enjoy these silent movies of Sonny Boy Williamson and Robert Jr. Lockwood performing in promotion of King Biscuit Flour. It is as if you have been transported in a time machine! We became aware of this footage from Facebook's Real Blues Forum. The YouTube copy states the following; "Max Moore, owner of Interstate Grocery in Helena, Arkansas, was the sponsor for radio station KFFA's "King Biscuit Time" program. We believe he shot this home movie circa 1942. In it, renowned blues musicians Robert 'Junior' Lockwood and Sonny Boy Williamson perform on the front porch of a small-town Arkansas grocery store. This is likely the earliest footage of these musicians performing together. The second portion of the clip is a 1952 tour featuring Williamson and his band. This film was preserved with a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation. Max Moore Home Movie Collection". To see, click here!

  • Chicago Sun-Times previews upcoming Chicago Blues Festival! The Chicago Blues Festival happens this year on June 8, 9 and 10 in beautiful Grant Park. Though the full music schedule does not yet appear on the fest website (http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/chicago_blues_festival.html), The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper has the inside track and speaks of many of the acts performing. To read the article click here.

  • Lazy Lester /  You Better Listen Liner Notes. In 2011 Lazy Lester released You Better Listen on the Bluestown label out of Norway. This CD is nominated for a Blues Music Award in the category of "Traditional Blues Album." Lazy Lester is also up for BMAs in "Instrumentalist-Harmonica" and "Traditional Blues Male Artist". Co-producer Jostein Forsburg asked Bob Corritore to write the liner notes for this release, which are posted on the label website. You can see them by clicking here.

  • Magic Slim and Grana Louise to star in a movie! Though still in the fundraising stage, here is a teaser revealing the basic idea of a forthcoming movie called We Be Kings that will star Magic Slim and Grana Louise as main characters. In this movie two down and out teen rockers save an elderly bluesman's life and are guided by the ghost of his wife to achieve the fame he never had. To see the clip and find out more about the movie, click here.

  • RIP Don Cornelius -September 27, 1936 to February 1, 2012. Don Cornelius, host and creator of the beloved television show Soul Train was found dead today, from an apparent suicide. He was 75. One cannot over-estimate the influence of this show in bringing great soul and rhythm & blues artists into the spotlight and highlighting the joy of dancing to the music it presented. For Don's wikipedia bio click here, and for the Huffington Post article which includes a video and a slide show click here.
    We are saddened that a man that brought so much joy to others, would leave the world this way. He will be remembered fondly by the millions of people that his work touched.    Here is a wonderful YouTube clip of Don Cornelius announcing on Soul Train, with special guest Johnnie Taylor singing "Stop Doggin' Me Around"(Click here to see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1kDiLDwflY).

  • Correction to Omar Shariff Obit. Bay Area blues promoter Thomas Mazzolini sends this correction and his personal insight to our Dave Alexander AKA Omar Shariff obit; "Dave Alexander shot himself in Marshall, Texas. He had moved there from California in 2011.  I cannot understand why he would take his own life given that he had embarked on a new career and location where he appeared to be working more often and was appreciated for his skills and legacy. The only thing that I could think of was depression. Perhaps a moment of utter despair. I was sickened over the news upon hearing it early Monday morning. While in Sacramento we had often spoken and of course I booked him many times especially in the early years".

  • 1968 B.B. King on YouTube! Here is a clip of a youthful B.B. King from 1968 singing "I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living." Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC8NACR28J4&feature=related.

January 20, 2012

  • Etta James January 25, 1938 - January 20, 2012. How many people have fallen in love while listening to the song "At Last" or shed a tear when listening to "I'd Rather Go Blind" or danced with delight and empowerment when the song "Tell Mama" would come on? That was the power of the legendary Etta James who died  today after a long struggle with numerous health issues. She was 73. Etta represented the human condition and all of its imperfections of which she could sing about with an experienced vulnerability that would seem to cut straight to your heart. Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, Etta began singing in church at age 5. She would launch a professional music career under the name "Peaches" while still in her early teens. In 1955 she teamed up with producer/musician/ bandleader/talent scout Johnny Otis to release "The Wallflower" which rose to #1 in the Rhythm & Blues charts. Throughout the 1950s she made many spectacular recordings for Modern Records and in 1960 she signed with the Chess label's subsidiary Argo Records. It was during her Chess period that some of her most beloved hits were released. Along the way she became addicted to heroin which led to some bumps in her career but she kicked the habit in 1974 and rebuilt her amazing career. She would open for the Rolling Stones, win Grammy and Handy Awards, sing the national anthem at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993, and unquestionably solidify her stature as a true music legend. In 2008 the movie Cadillac Records featured Beyoncé  portraying the Etta James character during the Chess Records years. Beyoncé's version of Etta's "At Last' from that movie would win a Grammy. Sadly, Etta James publicly criticized Beyoncé for singing "At Last" at the inaugural ball for President Barack Obama. The last few years found Etta dealing with many health issues including blood infection and leukemia. Through all of her trials and tribulations, Etta James will remembered for all time as a singer who, perhaps better than anyone else, could become the song. We thank Etta James for the gift of her music and her unstoppable spirit and grit which will live on forever through her many timeless recordings. To read the Yahoo news article on Etta's passing click http://music.yahoo.com/news/legendary-blues-singer-etta-james-dies-calif-163709371.html.

Here are some examples of Etta's wonderful music:

"I'd Rather Go Blind" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM 

"At Last" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uunRdQ61M

"Good Rockin' Daddy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV6_ro22Swk 

"The Wallflower" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFyKBQ7evY

"The Pick-Up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOtmVy5zFt4

"I Just Want To Make Love To You" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pu_AdU_NQg

"Tell Mama" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVqsvCclGnk&feature=fvst

 

January 19, 2012

  • RIP Johnny Otis - December 28, 1921 to January 17, 2012. Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes, who is best known as Johnny Otis, was one of the true bedrock figures of blues, rhythm & blues & early rock & roll. He died at age 90 at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Altadena after years of decreasing health. Johnny Otis did it all: singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, bandleader, talent scout, radio show host, television show host, label owner, nightclub owner, sculptor and painter, author, and he even had his own brand of apple juice! He had a vibrant personality, a sharp look, and the ability to get things done. He was an essential part of many of the greatest moments in rhythm & blues! As as white man of Greek decent, Otis truly embraced black culture, and very decidedly and successfully led his own black music movement. The huge list of his musical contributions show super-human qualities, and his amazing story is well told from Lee Hildrebrand words from Johnny's own website:

 "Johnny Otis was born December 28, 1921 in Vallejo, California. He grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood in Berkeley, California, where his father owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store. He began his musical career in 1939 as a drummer with Count Otis Matthew's West Oakland House Rockers. In 1943, at the recommendation of Nat "King" Cole and Jimmy Witherspoon, he moved to Los Angeles to join Harlan Leonard's Kansas City Rockets at the Club Alabam. By 1945 he was leading his own band, and had his first big hit that year with "Harlem Nocturne". In 1948 he joined with Bardu and Tila Ali, and Johnny Miller to open The Barrelhouse in Los Angeles, which was the first nightclub to feature Rhythm & Blues exclusively. In 1950 he had ten songs that made the Top 10 on Billboard Magazine's Best Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues Records list. With this success, he went on the road with his California Rhythm & Blues Caravan, and became the hottest musical attraction in black America. In the early 1950's, remaining active as a writer, performer, and producer, Johnny began a radio career and became one of the most popular disc jockeys in southern California. His career in radio has now spanned almost 50 years. His early radio broadcast success led to a weekly variety show on television. "The Johnny Otis Show" was on TV in Los Angeles for eight years.

Johnny Otis discovered many legendary Rhythm and Blues singers such as Esther Phillips, Willie Mae "Big Momma" Thornton, Etta James, and the Robins (who evolved into the Coasters), all of whom were at one time featured vocalists in his band. He also discovered Sugar Pie DeSanto, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Jackie Wilson, and Little Willie John. He produced, and with his band played on the original recording of "Hound Dog" with "Big Momma" Thornton. He produced and played on Johnny Ace's "Pledging My Love", and produced some of Little Richard's earliest recordings. On his own Blues Spectrum label, Johnny has recorded and played with Rhythm & Blues pioneers such as Big Joe Turner, Gatemouth Moore, Amos Milburn, Richard Berry, Joe Liggins, Roy Milton, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Charles Brown, and Louis Jordan. Johnny played the drums on Charles Brown's first major hit "Driftin' Blues" in 1946. He also recorded with Illinois Jacquet, and Lester Young. One of the many highlights of his long career was when he performed as a drummer with the great Count Basie Orchestra.

In the 1960's Johnny served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Mervin Dymally, whose career he followed from the State Assembly, State Senate, Lieutenant Governorship of California, to the U.S. Congress. His first book "Listen To The Lambs", which addressed the 1965 race riots was published in 1968. His next book, "Upside Your Head! Rhythm & Blues on Central Avenue" was published in 1993. Many of his paintings, sculptures, and wood carvings are displayed in "Colors and Chords - The Art of Johnny Otis" which was published in 1995. His most recent book, "Johnny Otis - Red Beans & Rice and Other Rock 'n' Roll Recipes" was published in 1997.

Johnny Otis's song writing credits include "Every Beat of My Heart", (a song he wrote originally for Jackie Wilson, but was made a hit by Gladys Knight and the Pips), "Roll With Me Henry", (also known as "The Wallflower"), "So Fine", "Willie And The Hand Jive" (which sold over 1.5 million copies), and many, many others.

Johnny has been inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, into the Blues Hall of Fame and into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Archives of African American Music and Culture at the University of Indiana has cataloged hundreds of hours of his past radio shows for his interviews, comments, insights, and historical significance.

He has remained active in his recording studio and has put out 6 CD's on his label since the mid-nineties."

 One must also mention Johnny Otis' son, Shuggie Otis who is a brilliant guitarist. Another observation is Johnny Otis' appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival in the movie thriller Play Misty For Me starring Clint Eastwood. Another fun fact was Johnny's disguised "adult party" album credited to Snatch and the Poontangs. We thank God for Johnny Otis and remember his brilliant and definitive contributions which will live on forever. His mark on the world leaves it a better place.

Some great clips:

Johnny Otis singing "Willie And The Hand Jive" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrQTh_Cq7U

Johnny with Little Esther Phillips performing "Misery" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WNkoABY63w

Johnny with Roy Buchannan performing "Bye Bye Baby" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icwUx_xGPXg

Johnny Otis "Harlem Nocturne" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bYPnfXXUp4

January 13, 2012

  • Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band tonight at the Rhythm Room! When Dave Riley and Bob Corritore combine their rich blues experiences the result is a finely crafted combination of deep Mississippi and Chicago Blues. On Friday, January 13 Dave and Bob and their band (with Brian Fahey on drums and Dave "Yahni" Riley, Jr. on bass) will bring their special brand of blues to the Rhythm Room. Doors at 8pm and music at 9pm. The Rhythm Room is at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

  • Mud Morganfield's new CD on Severn to be released on March 20th! Cover art revealed! Mud Morganfield, the eldest son of Muddy Waters, came onto the scene about 5 years ago. His closeness to his father in voice, appearance, and mannerisms in nothing short of a modern miracle. Severn Records will release Son Of The Seventh Son, Mud's first national release on March 20th. The CD produced by Bob Corritore features a great backing band consisting of Rick Kreher, Billy Flynn, Barrelhouse Chuck, E.G. McDaniel, Kenny Smith, and Harmonica Hinds and Bob Corritore switching off on the harmonica chores. Look for numerous CD release parties around the country and around the world, starting appropriately on March 31 at Buddy Guy's Legends. To see the album art and the spectacular cover, click here. Watch out world, here comes Mud Morganfield!

  • New Mannish Boys CD to recorded next week! When band leader/ harmonicist/ label chief Randy Chortkoff does something, he does it all the way. so is the case with the grandiose production of the new CD by super group The Mannish Boys. Musicians will gather next week for numerous days of recording sessions that will become the next CD by this memorable band. Here is what the press release says:

"THE MANNISH BOYS RETURN TO THE STUDIO. So how exactly do The Mannish Boys plan to top five critically acclaimed CDs when preparing to record their next highly anticipated studio album? Easy… they simply call up all their friends, invite them over, and make it a double! Yes, you heard correctly. This month The Mannish Boys head into the studio to record a 2-CD set and follow up to the band's 5th anniversary recording "Shake For Me," released back in March 2010. The current lineup will feature powerhouse vocalists Finis Tasby and newcomer Sugaray Rayford, the dynamic six-string duo of Kirk Fletcher and Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser on guitars, Randy Chortkoff on harmonica, along with the propulsive rhythmic support of Willie J. Campbell on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. Rounding out this star-studded extravaganza will be special guests Elvin Bishop, Mud Morganfield, Jackie Payne, Candye Kane, Rod Piazza, James Harman, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Mike Finnigan, Rob Rio, Fred Kaplan, Nathan James, Laura Chavez, Bob Corritore and Bill Stuve. The sparks will fly as The Mannish Boys tackle classics and B-side rarities for what is sure to become another quintessential recording in their ever-growing catalog. Look for the new Mannish Boys album, produced by Randy Chortkoff and Jeff Scott Fleenor, coming out on Delta Groove this May 2012" To see the beautiful poster announcing this release click here.

January 11, 2012

The year was off to a running start with a Tail Dragger live recording session at the Rhythm Room! the band included Kirk Fletcher, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey and myself. Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording recorded 2 solid nights of heavy Chicago blues on January 7th and 8th.

-The following weekend went from back in the alley to uptown as country legend Jessi Colter had me accompany her in her January 7 performance at a ChildsHelp VIP fundraiser dinner at the Paradise Valley Country Club in the audience were Jane Seymour, John O'Hurley, former president Dan Quayle and senator Jon Kyl. A complete 360 from the weekend before.

-Janiva Magness invited me onstage to join her on a Robin Rogers song during her January 14th show at the Rhythm Room.

- TheDave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band appeared many times at the Rhythm Room with Jan 21st being the first of the year.

- The mighty Mud Morganfield (eldest son of Muddy Waters) played a 2 night run at the Rhythm Room backed by the Rhythm Room All-Stars on January 28 and 29.

-A trip to Memphis to IBCs would not be complete without attending Bob Margolin's famous jam at the Rum Boogie. This happened on Feb 4 and was the first of many times that Bob Margolin would play together during the year.

-I played a couple Chico Chism songs with Hans Olson at the Arizona Musicians and Entertainers Hall of Fame event at the historic Orpheum Theater in Phoenix. I also presented the award to Chico's daughter Audry Donson who flew in from Chicago for the event.

-Dave Riley and I opened the Blues Blast Festival after-party with a duo set at the Rhythm Room before Johnny Rawls kicked off the jam. I would get up later in the night and play with Johnny and members of Trampled Under Foot.

-On Feb 23 Dave Riley and Bob Corritore did a seminar and acoustic performance for the Arizona Audio Video Club. we won allot of fans that night.

-Another great gig with the Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band on Feb 26.

-The Rhythm Room All-Stars appeared Friday and Saturday March 4 and 5 at the Rhythm Room

-The Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Band did a 2 night live recording on March 18 and 19th with the 18th being Dave Riley's birthday!

-On April 1th Dave Riley and I did a guest set with the Rocket 88s who I had the pleasure of working with quite a bit throughout the year.

-It was up north to Cottonwood, Arizona the next day (April 2) to headline the Old Town Blues Festival with a great array of Arizona talent.

- Dave Riley and I were in Tacoma, Washington on April 9th to headline the Gray Sky Blues Festival. Gary Grape, the festival promoter had us play with the marvelous rhythm section of Scott Simmons and Andrew Cloutier. Dave and I sat in with Maia Santell and the V-Knights (all brother child prodigy blues band). we also did a few numbers at the after party hosted by Randy Oxford.

-On Tuesday April 12, Dave and I performed a short set for the Japan Earthquake Relief Benefit at the Rhythm Room (Thanks for organizing this Gypsy). I also played a fun set that night with Paris James.

-Dave Riley Bob Corritore Band at the Rhythm Room on April 23

-Rhythm Room All-Stars played at the Rhythm Room on April 29 and 30 with special guest George Bowman.

- May 5 Bob played at the Blues Music Awards with a dream band of Jimi Bott, Eddie Shaw, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, David Maxwell, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, who came up on the second song to do a Pinetop Perkins tribute of "Big Fat Mama" which he sang and did a harp duet with Bob. This set was right after Bob Corritore & Friends / Harmonica Blues won a BMA for "Historical Album".

-2 days and very little sleep later the Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band took the stage on May 7 at the amazing Moulin Ospel Blues Festival in the Netherlands. That was the start of a tour which found us at Goor Blues in Gooreind, Belgium on May 8, The legendary Banana Peel in Ruiselede, Belgium on May 9, De Kroeg in Geldrop, Holland,on May 10, Muziekodroom Club in Hasselt, Belgium on May 12, the Amsterdam Harmonica Meetup Group on May 13 (thanks George Reijnders), and Hunky Dory in Leiden, Holland on May 14th. A great week of playing!

-May 21 found Dave Riley and I back at the Rhythm Room doing a short set at the annual Chico Chism Memorial Birthday Show.

-I appeared at The Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival on Saturday, May 28th as a guest of the Mannish Boys backing Finis Tasby on a couple Lowell Fulson songs.

-The following week I was reunited with my dear friend Louisiana Red for 2 nights of joy at the Rhythm Room on June 3 and 4. the Rhythm Room All-Stars were the backing with Chris James playing amazing accompaniment in Red's totally down home numbers.

- The following week was off to the Chicago Blues Festival with a string of numerous shows. I played during the Pinetop Perkins tribute set at the Kick-off Party at Buddy Guy's Legends on June 9th (this was the last time I saw Willie "Big Eyes" Smith perform and he was just amazing!) . The next day I played with Sam Lay and the Bob Riedy Blues Band at the Windy City Blues Society Stage, and later that afternoon I had an impromptu acoustic duet with Rocky Lawrence at the Best Buy tent.  That night I was at Smoke Daddy with Billy Flynn where I played some songs behind Milwaukee Slim as well as doing a kicking harmonica solo and a accompanying Billy on a Jimmy Rogers song. On Saturday, June 11,  I played in Willowbrook at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket with Sam Lay and the Bob Riedy Blues Band, this show was filmed for a future documentary. On Sunday June 12 I played the Front Porch stage of the Chicago Blues Festival with the Mud Morganfield Band with Barrelhouse Chuck, Billy Flynn, Rick Kreher, E.G. McDaniel, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith. Harmonica Hinds did the first half of the show and I played the second with Hinds coming back up for a 2 harp blowout on the last song! To see a nice clip from this show click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6UeeNFIM8E&feature=player_embedded. Later that night I appeared at Smoke Daddy as part of Morry Sochat & The Special 20s "Half Chicken Special Show" with both Billy Flynn and I as featured special guests. Rick Estrin, Joe Filisko, Dave Waldman, Willie Buck, Scott Dirks, Mojo Mark, Andrew Diehl, Deak Harp and others all played for great festival wrap up!

-Valerie June came to visit and we had 3 great musical days together. She came in on the 28th and we spent that day working up songs and playing records, the next day we opened for Jimmie Vaughan at the Rhythm Room, and on June 30 we did a duet recording session at Tempest Recording. What a wonderful talent she is!

-Dave Riley and I did a tour of  Brazil with promoter  Adrian Flores in July. Dave and I just love this country for it's warm, musical people and the great food. We played July 9 and 10 at the Pocos de Caldas Jazz & Blues Festival, July 15 at Patio Havana in Buzios, July 16 in Natal at the Bosa Y Jazz Fest and July 17 at Pipa Beach (where I also sat in on a number with Jefferson Goncalves and Taryn Szpilman). Thanks to Adrian Flores and Luciano Boca. 

-On July 28 through Aug 2. I brought Tail Dragger, Henry Gray, Kirk Fletcher & The Rhythm Room All-Stars. to Phoenix for a weekend at the Rhythm Room and to have 2 days in the recording studio. Really a magical combination of musicians! We played and recorded some heartfelt, ferocious blues!

- Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band played Friday, August 12th at the Rhythm Room and then traveled to Tucson for a great gig on Saturday, August 13th at the Boondocks! Also on the 13th dave and Bob did an interview / live broadcast on Marty Kool's blues show on KXCI!

- After hearing about the Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival for years I was finally able to experience it's magic. On Saturday, August 20th The Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band band provided a great set of our unique brand of down home blues for the fest. The next day, August 21, I sat in on a couple of songs from her new album Trying To Hold On which, was the first time I played those songs since we recorded them. I then played on the debut performance of the Delta Groove Harp Blast! Quite a maiden voyage as this show was pure harmonica fireworks! The great band incuded Jimi Bott, Willie J Campbell, Kirk Fletcher, Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser, and Rob Rio! I opened the set, followed by Randy Chortkoff, Big Pete, Mitch Kashmar, and a harmonica finale with all 4 of us plus R.J. Mischo. What an honor to be associated with this noble project and pretigious label. This was a very satisfying festival and I felt like each of my 3 appearances at the show brought a different aspect of my playing to the stage.

- I was reunited with Tommy Dukes on August 27 at his appearance at the Rhythm Room. I used to work in his band in the 1980s. Tommy called me up for a few numbers each set to play the Jimmy Reed songs he loves so much.

- The Rhythm Room All-Stars with special guest Dave Riley appeared Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9.

-On Sept 15th Dave Riley and Bob Corritore did a concert and seminar with famed blues author Bill Ferris at the Kerr Cultural Center. This was done through ASU's Humanities Department.

-The Rhythm Room 20th Anniversay Celebration happened Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 16, 17, 18. We celebrated the 2 decade mark with a spectacular star studded weekend of  musical presentation! Many bands and artists played over this 3 day blues and soul marathon, but my contributions to the proceedings were as follws: On Friday I sat in with Tommy Castro on a Jimmy Reed song, Saturday was billed as "Bob Corritore & Friends" and included Mud Morganfield, Bob Margolin, Diunna Greenleaf, Dave Riley, Billy Flynn, Barrelhouse Chuck, Mookie Brill and Brian Fahey. This show happened just days after Willie "Big Eyes" Smith passed. Each of us had close releationships with Willie and this night became an unofficail memorial tribute to our friend.  Friday was a full day of 11 Phoenix bands, Dave Riley and I did a set and I also contibuted to George Bowman's set with Lucius Parr, and to Tommy Dukes set. These three days were a powerful musical statement from Phoenix's blues and roots concert club!

- I celebrated my 55th birthday on September 24 (My actual birthday is sept 27th). I brought in Magic Slim & The Teardrops for the proceedings. I have known Magic Slim since I was 18 years old so it was very symbolic that he was the band to perform at this fife milestone. Dave Riley and I opened up with a duo set and we called up Jessi Colter and Jerry Lawson for a song each during our set. Slim was just great and he had me join him for the 2nd set. Slim reminded me of the afternoon at Florence's on Chicago's South Side in the late 1970s when I tried my first (and last) pig ear sandwich. The next day we did a 4 song recording session at Tempest and that night I flew into Chicago to attend Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's funeral.

- This year's King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Arkansas was a very powerful musical experience. Then again, it always is. Being in the heart of the Deep South really connects you to the roots of this music. During the week (from October 4th to 9th, I performed 3 memorials for Pinetop and Willie with Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Kenny Smith, Little Frank, Clay Swafford, and Jimmy Mayes. On one of these tributes I also played a very powerful set with Hubert Sumlin. All of these memorials were very moving and spiritual. It was great to see Kenny Smith up front singing and I see that as a future direction for this talented young man.  I also played 2 great shows with Dave Riley (one at the Delta Cultural Center Annex and one at Hopson's Plantation in nearby Clarksdale, Mississippi) The DCC show featured Yahni on bass and the great Wes Starr on drums. I also played a wild set with Ernest "Guitar" Roy at the festival. I also played a great set with Helena legend C.W. Gatlin and played with Cleome Bova, Big Red, Levee Town (with Cheryl Arena and Deak Harp), Sterling Billingsley, and members of Reba Russell's band. Always an amazing time at the Biscuit!

- The Rhythm Room All-Stars with specail guest Dave Riley rocked the house at the Rhythm Room on Friday and Saturday October 14 and 15.

- I went to Chicago for the Blues Blast Music Awards on Oct 27 and set up shows before and afterwards. The night before the awards I was part of the VizzTone Label Showcase with host Bob Margolin at SPACE in Evanston. I played a few that night backing Bob, and the Italian blues singer Gloria Turrini. I also played a song that night with David Katzman and had a nice green room jam with Dave Specter. Then the glorious Blues Blast Music Awards, Dave Riley and I did a powerful 2 song set. I was also asked to perform a memorial tribute set for Robin Rogers with Tony Rogers and Sharrie Williams (that was very powerful!) and I played with Teeny Tucker on her part of the show. the Blues Blast Music Awards has really become a must attend event over the years. The following night (October 28) I played a nice show with the Bob Riedy Blues Band at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket.

-On November 1st  I left for Switzerland to participate in the Lucerne Blues Festival. I arranged for a great band that included Tail Dragger, Henry Gray, Kirk Fletcher, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey and myself. I also was part of the Delta Groove Harp Blast with Mitch Kashmar, Randy Chortkoff, Big Pete, Jimi Bott, Willie J. Campbell, Kirk Fletcher, and Alex Schultz. I did numerous shows throughout the week with both bands. Performances began on November 4th where the Tail Dragger / Henry Gray package played for a "Blues Night" concert at La Poste in the Swiss town of Visp. then numerous shows throughout the week with both bands. On one of these shows Tail Dragger, Chris James and myself performed for the mayor and a group of city officials. Tail Dragger crawled on his belly while singing for the Mayor! The festival had me do a speech for the festival sponsors at a special dinner. I also sat for a song or two on the sets by Joe Louis Walker and Terrance Simien. This festival is so amazing and it was one of the great highlights of the year! I returned home on November 15th with a smile on my face.

- The Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Blues Band did a killer show on November 18 at the Rhythm Room!

- The Dave Riley Bob Corritore Blues Band appeared on November 9th at the great Desert Ridge Blues Festival in Arizona..

- On November 25th (the day after Thanksgiving) I did a wonderful gig with the Rocket 88s. Johnny Rapp and I were the special guests that night and it just fell together magically.

- On Dec 2nd I appeared with George Bowman and his band featuring Lucius Parr at the Rhythm Room. I also played a song with Charlie Rae that night.

- The next night, December 3 was another fun night with the Rocket 88s at the Rhythm Room.

- On Thursday, December 8 I was featured along with about 20 other Phoenix based harmonica players for our annual Blues Harmonica Showcase, hosted by the Rocket 88s.

-Just when I thought we were winding down the year, the legendary Hubert Sumlin died. I flew into Chicago for Dec 12 and stayed at Tail Dragger's house. On Tuesday Dec 13 Tail Dragger and I went to the burial and later that night Bob Margolin and I hosted a most amazing tribute show in Hubert's honor at Fitzgerald's in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn, IL. It was really a community event and I did my best to direct the stage and get everyone up. That night I did the opening set with Bob Margolin, Little Frank, Bob Stroger and Jimmy Mayes. I would later back up my close associates Sam Lay, Tail Dragger & Mud Morganfield (with Sam Lay on drums!) Other performers that night were Eddie Shaw, Billy Branch, Zora Young, Gary Martin (Hubert's nephew), Lil' Ed, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, Mary Lane, Eddie C. Campbell, Ronnie and Wayne Baker Brooks, Scott Dirks, Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Harry Garner, Matt Hill, Richard Rosenblatt, Deak Harp, Dave Herrero, Mark Wydra, Harlan Terson, Rodney Brown, Billy Flynn, Tom Holland, Marty Binder, Michael Coleman, Kenneth Kinsey, Melvin Smith, Jerry Porter, Twist Turner, Big Head Todd, Michael Frank and many others. An incredibly powerful night remembering one of the greatest of Chicago blues musicians.

-On Dec 17th I made my last appearance of the year when Rod Piazza invited me to join him onstage for 2 numbers with his great band. It was wild playing through the Rod amp with that fantastic band.

As I reflect on all of these great shows it is hard for me to believe that I fit all this into one year. I feel very blessed to have all these great shows with great musicians.  

- Bob Corritore

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