For nearly 70 years, Bob Koester owned the Jazz Record Mart and Delmark Records—and though his businesses could be “crazy town,” they helped nurture thriving communities.
Tag: Buddy Guy
Posted inMusic
Saxophonist Gene Barge helped shape the sound of Chicago R&B
Gene Barge has done his most influential work as a sideman or producer, but he’s just as important as any of R&B’s marquee stars.
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Andrew ‘Big Voice’ Odom sang for blues stars but never became one
Andrew “Big Voice” Odom toured internationally—and also used to drop by Maxwell Street and overwhelm the makeshift sound systems.
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Big Daddy Kinsey was the Muddy Waters of Gary, Indiana
Blues patriarch Big Daddy Kinsey had three sons who played together as the Kinsey Report.
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Give your money to Mary Lane
Chicago blueswoman Mary Lane has been making music for more than 70 years. She should be a legend, but she can barely pay her bills.
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Thirty-five moments that brought Chicago music to the world
The Year of Chicago Music has had less music in it than anybody anticipated, but we still have plenty to celebrate.
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Ravinia announces its 2019 season
This summer’s Highland Park highlights include Queen Latifah, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Michael McDonald and Chaka Khan, Kesha, T.I., Buddy Guy, Jennifer Hudson, and Lyle Lovett.
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Blueswoman Mary Lane is still looking for the respect she deserves at age 82
No-nonsense west-side veteran Mary Lane, who’s shared stages with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy, is raising money to finish her long-awaited second album.
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Buddy Guy and his buddies return for a one-month stand
Ever since B.B. King died, there’s been a lot of unnecessary talk about Buddy Guy being the Last Bluesman Standing From the Golden Era. This isn’t strictly true, but among that generation of blues musicians, Guy does seem to have the highest profile. With reason: though he’s now going on 81, his singing and guitar […]
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Blues pianist Little Brother Montgomery influenced legends as diverse as Skip James and Johnny Cash
Pianist Little Brother Montgomery straddled blues, boogie-woogie, and jazz—and bridged prewar southern blues and the electric Chicago style.
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Add blues pianist Barrelhouse Chuck to the list of greats lost in 2016
Barrelhouse Chuck built upon piano traditions established by the likes of Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, and Little Brother Montgomery.
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Otis Rush recorded the harrowing blues that established his legacy 50 years ago in Chicago
Blues great Otis Rush been sidelined by a stroke, but more than 25 musicians will pay tribute to him at this year’s festival.
Posted inBlogs
CIMMFest opening night: The Smart Studios Story revisits the Madison recording studio that helped birth indie rock
The Smart Studios Story, opening the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival, revisits the Madison recording studio that nurtured the indie rock of the 90s.
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The Reader’s guide to the 32nd annual Chicago Blues Festival
More people turn out for Blues Fest than for Pitchfork and Lollapalooza combined—and here are a couple dozen reasons why, including Syl Johnson, Shemekia Copeland, Clarence Carter, Chick Rodgers, and Buddy Guy.
