Shirley Johnson is an outstanding vocalist who finds herself in the vanguard of a remarkable revival of the Chicago female blues singer. For many years she has been an able ambassador, here & abroad, representing both the blues & gospel traditions. She has a passionate, strong voice that can deliver a chugging Chicago blues shuffle with uncommon conviction, and infuse a slow ballad with the reassuring power of her own personal experience. Shirley is an entirely modern blues singer, and this is her American debut CD featuring Robert Ward, John Primer, Johnny B. Moore & Maurice John Vaughn.

Jazz clarinetist Garvin Bushell's 1988 autobiography is rightly titled "Jazz from the Beginning". Bushell recorded with great pianists - James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Jelly Roll Morton and with important swing orchestras, such as those led by Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway and Chick Webb. In mid-century Bushell recorded with many of the period's greatest jazz names, including John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Gil Evans, and King Curtis. This 1982 session features Garvin Bushell, clarinet, bassoon; Richard Hadlock, soprano sax; Ray Skjelbred, piano; Stu Wilson, bass; John Markham, drums; Leon Oakley, cornet; Barbara Lashley, vocals on 3 songs.

LONESOME HIGHWAY

DELMARK 50 YEARS OF JAZZ & BLUES / VARIOUS

Ari carries on the Chicago tenor sax and the AACM traditions. He melds them into his own voice and no matter how far out he takes the music, it still remains accessible and enjoyable.

The music of Keefe Jackson's all-reed group Likely So is both a new direction and a continuation of his abiding mission: combining composition and improvisation with an emphasis on the interaction of the individual musicians. On a Round Goal, this leads to an exploration of sound-areas including the textural, the melodic, and the instinctual. Mars Williams, Waclaw Zimpel, Jackson, Marc Stucki, Dave Rempis, Peter A. Schmid, and Thomas K.J. Mejer play the entire range of saxophones (from sopranino to contrabass) and clarinets. This album is a live set recorded at the Jazzwerkstatt Festival in Berne, Switzerland.

The Memphis Nighthawks got together in Champaign-Urbana, IL, were members of the U. of I. Jazz Band and took their name from a 1932 recording though neither group came from Memphis Ron DeWar (soprano sax, clarinet, C Melody sax) has since worked with pianist Judy Roberts. Co-founder Steve Jensen (trumpet) also co-founded the Jazz Members Big Band, Trombonist Joel Helleny moved to New York and did the trombone solos on the soundtrack of Cotton Club, was only 20 when these sides were cut in the late 70's. The rhythm section includes bass saxist Dave Feinman & Mike Miller (banjo, guitar). Joe Klee in the Mississippi Rag said "From the opening track this band moves like a house afire"!

Chicago's Jimmy Burns accompanies his soulful, countrified voice with unstoppable rhythms and sure-handed solos. His vibrant, heartfelt blues and boogies echo the Mississippi Delta, where he was born and raised. - Guitar Player review of "Leaving Here Walking" (DMK #694). "Back to the Delta" reflects those same influences with 13 new original songs including "Juke, Juke, Juked," "Stranded in Clarksdale," "Country Boy in the City" and others. The title track is about Jimmy's hometown just up the road from Tutwiler, where the blues was born.

The Rockin' Johnny Band has been one of Chicago's most loved blues bands since 1995. Their Monday night residency at the Smoke Daddy led to Straight Out of Chicago (DMK 720), the first CD. Their original, energetic approach made them a strong draw bringing in blues aficionados, every musician in town and a younger crowd that normally didn't go hear blues bands. The Rockin' Johnny Band plays modern Chicago blues, but also ventures into funk, rock, and swing. With Rick Kreher, rhythm guitar; John Sefner, bass; Steve Bass, drums; Big D, harmonica. Grim Reaper features many new original compositions including It's Expensive to Be Broke, One And One Ain't Two, Shoe Leather & Tire Rubber.

SAY WHAT

The blues vocalist/songwriter/bandleader/harmonica player is now in his 73rd year and is not slowing down one bit. On this brand new August 2007 recording, Arthur's performance is powerful and amazing.

Delmark's 55th anniversary blues bash at Buddy Guy's Legends on March 7, 2008 featured most of Delmark's local blues roster, a Delmark Day proclamation from Mayor Daley and a Grammy Hall of Fame Award for the groundbreaking Hoodoo Man Blues album. Live performances by Lurrie Bell, Tail Dragger, Zora Young, Jimmy Johnson with Dave Specter, Aaron Moore, Little Arthur Duncan, Eddie Shaw and Shirley Johnson.

This is country blues at it's best from the master of the nine string guitar. It's also the first new Big Joe album on Delmark in 30 years, and it features recordings made in St. Louis from 1958 which also gave US "Piney Woods Blues" (DMK #602) and "Stavin' Chain Blues" (DMK #609), as well as from recordings made in Chicago from 1961 which also gave US "Blues on Highway 49" (DMK #604) and "Nine String Guitar Blues" (DMK #627). Bassist Ransom Knowling accompanies on three songs and their studio banter is priceless! More blues tales from one of the greatest story-tellers of all time.

Shirley is back with that same blend of traditional good-rockin' Chicago blues, smoldering R&B and poppin' soul she is known for. Almost all of the 14 songs on Blues Attack are new original compositions by various musicians on the CD however there are great covers of classics "Unchain My Heart" and "634-5789"."Raised in the church but evidently born to sing the blues, Shirley Johnson belts like a spiritual daughter of Koko Taylor, flexing her husky voice on ballads and up-tempo love songs, hitting gravel when she reaches for a higher note or pushes her volume." - Ted Drozdowski, Pulse!

Chicago music buffs eagerly anticipate the second weekend of June for the annual Chicago Blues Festival and if that weren't enough of an incentive to bring out-of-towners into our city, it's also when the Bob Koester's Jazz Record Mart hosts it's annual Blues Brunch. This CD was recorded at the 2005 Blues Brunch with Michael Coleman's group acting as the core band. Also features Willie Kent, Bonnie Lee, Little Arthur Duncan (all three now passed away making this disc all the more crucial), Lurrie Bell, Steve Freund, Zora Young, Shirley Johnson, Tail Dragger and Aaron Moore. An entertaining hour-long smorgasbord of no-nonsense straight ahead Chicago blues.