Bob Corritore Blues News

May 27, 2008

• Tomcat Courtney CD Release Party this Friday at the Rhythm Room: Tomcat Courtney, though relatively unknown to the mainstream, is one of the great national treasures of traditional blues. At 79 years young, Tomcat is a contemporary of Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and Smokey Hogg, and he carries forth the blues tradition of his native home of Texas. Tomcat possesses one of he greatest voices in country blues around today, and has a stirring, down-home guitar style. He will be appearing Friday, May 30, 2008 at the Rhythm Room for a CD release party. His new CD, Downsville Blues on Blue Witch Records, is his first national release. The CD came out on May 20, 2008, and is already receiving worldwide radio airplay and critical applause from reviewers (click here to see some of these reviews). Backing Tomcat Courtney will be Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey, and Bob Corritore, who are Tomcat's band on the CD. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $8. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Blueswax to feature a Bob Corritore interview this Thursday: Perhaps the greatest online blues magazine, Blueswax is a brilliant source for a wide overview of blues news. Their weekly news email comes out each Thursday to a huge list of subscribers from around the world. This week, Blueswax will feature an interview with Bob Corritore by New York Blues kingpin Bob Putignano. To sign up for the email blast and to see the Blueswax website, click here. Thank you, Blueswax!
• Janiva Magness Interview this Sunday on Bob's Radio Show: Janiva Magness will appear on Bob's radio show this Sunday for an interview and a preview of her forthcoming CD on Alligator Records. Janiva is simply a great blues singer, and we cheered her on over the years as she has risen to stardom in the blues world. She is now a 2-time Blues Music Award winner in the Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year category, and is a national spokesperson for Casey Family Programs for Foster Care children. Janiva will be in Phoenix to sing the National Anthem at the Arizona Diamondbacks game on May 31, 2008 (May is National Foster Care Month), and will be able to stop in at Bob's radio show. Look for an hour (or so) interview starting around 6:30pm. Janiva is scheduled for a Rhythm Room appearance on Friday, June 13, 2008. Listeners may hear Bob Corritore’s KBA-Award-winning radio show, Those Lowdown Blues, anywhere in the world (real time Sunday nights from 6pm-11pm Phoenix time) via web streaming by clicking here, or on KJZZ in Phoenix at 91.5 FM in Phoenix, Arizona, 89.5 in Cottonwood, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman.
• Chicago Blues Festival, Bob's Gigs in Chicago: Next week, Bob will make his annual visit to his hometown of Chicago during the Chicago Blues Festival. This festival always presents some of the city's greatest talent, combined with great national acts. Appearing at the fest this year will be B.B. King, James Cotton, Little Willie Littlefield, Pinetop Perkins, Louisiana Red, Lurrie Bell, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, Barbara Lynn, and many others. For a complete list of the fest lineup, click here. While in Chicago, Bob Corritore will have two scheduled performances and likely a few impromptu sit-ins. Bob's scheduled appearances will be:

Thursday, June 5, 2008 - Louisiana Red at Buddy Guy's Legends. Bob Corritore will appear with Louisiana Red from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago IL 60605. Louisiana Red's backup band will include Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Eddie Kobek.

Saturday, June 7, 2008 - American Blues Legends Management Showcase at Reggie's, This great showcase will include Elmore James, Jr. (who will celebrate his new release Daddy Gave Me The Blues on JSP Records), Byther Smith, Eddie C. Campbell, Tail Dragger, The Hayes Brothers, Cadillac Zack, Rick Kreher, Scott Dirks, Bob Corritore, and Donna Oxford. Bob will be making a guest appearance backing his old boss Tail Dragger on this show; Bob's set will be at approximately 11:15pm. Show time is 9pm; cover charge is $15. Party alert: there will be a free shuttle service to the show leaving from the corner of Columbus and Monroe at the following times: 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm. American Blues Legends Management is a booking and management organization founded by guitarist/producer Cadillac Zack, and its primary focus is advancing the cause of traditional blues. Reggie's is located at 2105 S. State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60616. To see a flier for this event, click here. For more information about this show, call (323)377-5291.

As always, Chicago is a real blues treat, and the festival serves as a great center point for a spectacular gathering of blues people. Also, while in town, check out Honeyboy Edwards' annual birthday bash on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at a new venue (managed by Dave Specter) called Society for the Preservation of Arts and Culture in Evanston (S.P.A.C.E.). This event is being called Blues On The North Shore, and is produced by Lynn Orman. Also included in the show's lineup are Eddie Clearwater, Barrelhouse Chuck, and Katherine Davis. For more information, click here.

• Little Arthur Health Update: Here is the latest information about Chicago Blues harmonica ace Little Arthur Duncan, who was hospitalized on April 11, 2008 and had surgery for a brain tumor. This news from Rick Kreher, his guitar player:

"I stopped by to check on Little Arthur yesterday at his new hospital, Advocate Bethany Specialty Hospital, at 3435 W. Van Buren. The hospital is very nice and easy to get to, off the Eisenhower Expressway. That is about the only good news. Arthur is once again hooked up to a battery of machines, and the nurse that was attending to him said that he 'had a lot going on'. I think he knew who I was, and tried to talk, but he would then fade away for a few minutes. His main problem (among many others) is still his breathing, which is still assisted by a ventilator. It's sad, because if he does know what's going on, it has to be very depressing at this point. If any of you are in the area, stop by; because if he does know what's happening, a visit might help his spirits. The hospital is on Van Buren just west of Homan (Kimball); enter from those directions as the streets run weird around there. There is parking right in front. I wish there was better news to report."

• Mojo Buford Heath Update: As reported in the newsletter of May 14, 2008, longtime Muddy Waters harmonica player Mojo Buford was hospitalized on May 12, 2008 with diabetic shock and heart complications. Good news came our way via Mojo's drummer and manager, Doug McMinn, who reports: "Mojo is doing great. He is back home. His strength is almost back up. He is planning a November tour to replace the one he had to cancel." Thank you, Doug, for this good news!