May 21, 2010
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Chico Chism remembered at the Rhythm Room this Saturday. The late Chico Chism was Howlin' Wolf's last drummer and a highly noted player in the Chicago blues scene of the '70s and early '80s, and the Phoenix blues scene after that. Chico moved to Phoenix, Arizona to work with Bob Corritore in 1986 and found great acceptance in its music community. In addition to being a popular performer, Chico became an influential blues figure to a number of younger blues artists whom he personally mentored. Chico spent the last 20 years of his life calling Phoenix his home, until he passed away in 2007 at age 79. Each year the Rhythm Room (where Chico spent much of his time) holds a memorial birthday bash, honoring our fallen hero. This year's event happens on Saturday, May 22, with 7pm doors and a 8pm show and acts include George Thomas & The Flamekeepers (Chico's last band), Rocket 88s, Big Pete Pearson, Hans Olson, Nina Curri, Walkin' Cane Mark, Harmonica Mark, Gypsy, George Bowman, RD Olson, Mikel Lander & Meridith Moore, and more! To see some great photos of Chico, click here, here, here, and here. Chico is gone, but not forgotten. -
RIP Larry Dale - January 7, 1923 to May 19 2010. Guitarist/vocalist Larry Dale is best known for 1950s and '60s session work in New York which yielded many great sides. His amazing vocals could transport a song to an other-worldly quality but he also was a fine guitarist who would be called into recording sessions as an accompanist to other vocalists. Born Ennis Lowery on January 7th, 1927 in Wharton Texas, he would later move to New York where he would record sides for Atlantic, Jax, Herald, Groove, Vik, and Glover. In addition to his own fine recordings, he played on sessions with Champion Jack Dupree, Bob Gaddy, Paul Williams, Big Red McHouston, Mr. Bear, Cootie Williams, and others. He passed away on Wednesday at his apartment in New York. He was 86 years old. To see Larry Dale's full discography, click here. To read a nice bio, click here. -
Harp & Soul Festival in Evanston to be a pre-party to the Chicago Blues Festival! This year's Blues On The North Shore will be a harmonica festival called Harp & Soul, which happens on June 10th, 8pm, at SPACE in Evanston, Illinois. Bob Corritore will kick off the event with a set featuring Billy Flynn, Bob Riedy, Chris James & Patrick Rynn, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, and a guest appearance by the legendary Sam Lay. Bob grew up on the north shore and the first blues show he ever saw was a 1971 concert by the Sam Lay Blues Revival in the auditorium of New Trier West High School! This set will also serve as a CD pre-release party for Bob's new CD, Harmonica Blues on the Delta Groove label. Other sets in the Harp & Soul Festival feature Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (who has a new CD coming out with Pinetop Perkins on Telarc), Rob Stone (who has a new CD out on the Earwig label), and Grady Champion (this year's winner of the International Blues Challenge). Emceeing the event will be Bill Wax, host of B.B. King’s Bluesville on Sirius/XM Satellite radio. This show is all about the blues harmonica. Thanks to Lynn Orman and Scott Shuman for producing, organizing, and promoting Harp & Soul. To see the Blues On The North Shore website click here, and to see the Front Row Music Website with information on this and other events click here. -
Phoenix CD Party announced for Chris James & Patrick Rynn's new Earwig CD! Chris James & Patrick Rynn's sophomore release Gonna Boogie Anyway on the Earwig label, finds them exploring their award winning formula on a set of mostly original songs. Chris and Patrick will celebrate their new release on on June 25th, and 26th, at their monthly gig with the Rhythm Room All-Stars at the Rhythm Room. Gonna Boogie Anyway will be available for sale at this event! -
Rhythm Room acknowledged by 944 Magazine! Phoenix's 944 magazine has declared the Rhythm Room "Small Music Venue Worth The Price Of Admission" in their current "944 Pics" issue! Thanks for these kind words. -
Vintage Otis Rush on YouTube! Please enjoy this great Otis Rush clip from the 1966 American Folk Blues Festival performing his hit "I Can't Quit You Baby." Click here to see.
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