The blues world is deeply saddened by the passing of Texas blues master Smokin’ Joe Kubek at 58 on Sunday, October 11th, 2015. Kubek reportedly suffered a heart attack only minutes before he was to perform at the Pleasure Island Seafood & Blues Festival in North Carolina.
Born in Pennsylvania, Kubek grew up just outside Dallas, Texas, and by the time he was in his mid-teens, he was already leading his own bands and playing local clubs and watering holes. His ability and enthusiasm grew as he listened to the work of guitar greats such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Freddie King, and others.
As time went on, Kubek backed well known local players, including Freddie King. In fact, Kubek was supposed to head out on tour backing King when he suffered a heart attack and died in 1976. He continued to play, making many long time friends along the way. Among these new friends were Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the great B.B. King. Kubek would become very close with Stevie Ray Vaughan in particular. He would especially remember having the opportunity to play his friend B.B. King’s storied guitar, Lucille, and King’s enthusiasm for his playing, as well as his encouragement to keep learning and growing on the guitar.
In 1989 Kubek met his future partner, Bnois King at a Dallas jam session. King played guitar and sang, and the two quickly became friends, and in time, a performing duo. Their style combined the intense, rocking, guitar attack of Kubek with King’s subtle, fat chord playing. Kubek explained it this way: “I pull the blues out of him, and he pulls the jazz out of me. Bnois knows so much about jazz it’s amazing. Bnois fires me up. We are constantly pushing each other higher, complimenting each others solos. But it’s not planned. We never know what we’re going to do until it’s done.” They recorded their first album together in 1991, Stepping Out Texas Style. Together they would go on to record or several record labels including Bullseye Blues Records, Alligator Records, Bird Records Texas, Delta Groove Records, and their recent and continued home, Blind Pig Records.
After building a solid reputation and leaving their mark on the Texas blues scene, the duo began to perform nationally, and eventually, they brought their high every blues to enthusiastic fans around the world.
Kubek is survived by his wife, Phyllis.
Arrangements have not yet been announced.
