Blues & Bourbon: John Primer & Bob Corritore

Blues Hall of Fame Artists JOHN PRIMER & BOB CORRITORE Bring their REAL DEAL CHICAGO BLUES back to “Blues & Bourbon” at The Starlet Room above Harlow’s. Two-time Grammy nominated artist and American blues legend John Primer was the bandleader and guitarist for Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Magic Slim & The Teardrops. Having played or recorded with a who’s who of blues greats including Junior Wells, Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, The Rolling Stones and Buddy Guy to name a few, John Primer’s personal accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, reflect his countless contributions to the history of Chicago blues. There are very few fans, critics or musicians who will deny the fact that John Primer is the real deal.

“Both men are modern day legends who have invested their lives into playing take-no-mess Chicago blues that honor the lives of blues giants from decades past while also breathing new life into this important American cultural institution.”  

                                                                                                                                                                              – Mike O’Cull, Muck Rack

About their album, The Gypsy Woman Told Me: “There are songs like the title track, by the aforementioned Waters, a slow blues that’s delicate in groove, but not in texture, mostly thanks to Corritore’s billowing harmonica. There’s J.J. Cale’s “I Got the Same Old Blues,” where Corritore and Primer dial up the funk and bluesiness to practically deadly levels. And there are the two Primer originals, which slide right in with these classic songs. “Little Bitty Woman” is delirious rockabilly in the style of the classic “Mystery Train” and “Walked So Long” is a soft acoustic blues propelled by brushed drums. – Steven Ovadia, American Blues Scene

Chicago guitarist/vocalist John Primer has traveled a legendary path in the blues to become a legend in his own right. Born in Camden, Mississippi on March 5, 1945, John relocated to Chicago with his mother in 1963. John’s blues career started in 1974, playing guitar alongside Sammy Lawhorn in the house band at Theresa’s Lounge on Chicago’s Southside. It was there that John backed up Junior Wells and James Cotton on a nightly basis. He then joined Willie Dixon’s Blues All-Stars for a brief stint before joining the Muddy Waters Band for 3 years (until Muddy’s passing), and then a 14 year run with Magic Slim & The Teardrops. During his time with Slim, John also served as an A&R man for Wolf Records, organizing numerous recording sessions with various Chicago artists, providing a important documentation of that time period. Wolf Records launched John Primer’s solo career with the 1991 release of Poor Man Blues and John has not looked back since. While touring the world extensively and releasing a steady stream of high-quality releases, John has somehow found the time to collaborate with Bob Corritore. Though they both travel in different orbits, when they do get together, they celebrate their common bond of Chicago Blues with some critically acclaimed recordings and live performances.
Bob Corritore is one of the most active and highly regarded blues harmonica players on the scene today. His style passionately carries forward the old school of playing that Corritore learned as a young man directly from many of original pioneers of Chicago Blues. His sympathetic, yet fiery harmonica playing is featured on over 100 releases to date, on labels such as VizzTone, Delta Groove, Delmark, HighTone, HMG, Blue Witch, Blind Pig, Earwig, Ruf, Putumayo and many others. Many of Bob’s acclaimed releases have been nominated or winners for various Handy, Grammy, Living Blues, Blues Music Awards and Blues Blast Music Awards. Bob is also widely recognized for his many roles in the blues, as band leader, club owner, record producer, radio show host, arts foundation founder, and occasional writer. His amazing website http://www.bobcorritore.com and his weekly e-newsletter reflect a life thoroughly invested in the blues.