Author: JD Nash

This edition focuses on the album Piney Woods Blues by Big Joe Williams.

Windy City Wednesday is the weekly offering from American Blues Scene that shares classic and sometimes forgotten blues albums from some of the most iconic Chicago blues men and women ever to grace wax. This edition focuses on the album Let’s Talk It Over by Lonnie Brooks. Today Lonnie Brooks is a familiar name as a linchpin of the contemporary blues scene and sound. He was an international blues star whose countless live shows earned praise for their savvy professionalism, outgoing stock of quality new material and fresh raw edged blues exuberance. His canny songwriting, robust vocals and melodic inventiveness…

We’ve gathered 30 blues men and women who go by different names than those they were born with. We’re betting a few of them surprise you.

In 1968, JB Hutto and His Hawks recorded 13 original tracks with Sunnyland Slim for the Delmark imprint. Recorded in two sessions and two studios, Hawk Squat, in the words of producer Bob Koester, “was born at Turner’s Blue Lounge.” Only the sign remains of Turner’s Blue Lounge, on South Indiana, under the L tracks, where Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter used to shoot pool, and JB Hutto played three nights a week. At the time the cover was 50 cents and that also got you a beer. Due to the low cover, it was a bit rowdier…

Mary Lane is a Chicago blues living legend, and one of the last remaining ties to the original post-war blues.

When you go to see award-winners Starlite Campbell Band live, the air is full of anticipation and excitement. With their high-energy, emotional performances, no two gigs are the same! Husband and wife Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell are passionate about the music as well as each other, caring deeply about creating beautifully recorded music and giving audiences a great time at their live concerts. The couple have been on a roller-coaster musical adventure following the worldwide success of their first two albums Blueberry Pie and The Language of Curiosity. Their third album Starlite Campbell Band Live! is set for release…

Datura4’s fifth studio album, ‘Neanderthal Jam,’ set for release in August!

The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. The nominees are selected by a distinguished panel of blues DJs and journalists from across Canada. Members of the Nominating Panel are not eligible for any of the awards. The winners are selected by the votes of blues fans from across Canada. Sue Foley, Steve Marriner, Colin James On Monday night, June, 20th, the awards were held at Koerner Hall, Toronto. Three artists walked away with multiple Maple Blues wins. Toronto-born, Texas-based Sue…

Windy City Wednesday is the weekly offering from American Blues Scene that shares classic and sometimes forgotten blues albums from some of the most iconic Chicago blues men and women ever to grace wax. This edition focuses on the album I Ain’t Lyin’ by Little Sammy Davis. The enigmatic career of blues singer and harp player Little Sammy Davis was interrupted for two decades only for him come back and become a close musical associate of Levon Helm. But Davis already had a long history of working with some of the greats. Born in Winona, MS, on November 28, 1928,…

Famed Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist Jim Schwall — co-founder of the influential and popular Siegel-Schwall Band — died of natural causes at his home in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday, June 19, 2022. He was 79. Known for his distinctive guitar sound — he played an amplified Gibson B-25 acoustic — Schwall helped introduce the blues to the rock and roll audience with his easy-going, good-natured music. He was also a political activist, a teacher, a photographer and a writer. Schwall was born in Chicago on November 12th, 1942. He played drums and accordion in grade school before picking up…