Maxwell St Blues Jams to Start Again June 15
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Contact: Piano C. Red: 312-437-0808
Outdoor Maxwell Street Blues Jams to Start Again, June 15
Maxwell Street legend Piano C. Red does not want to let the Chicago
tradition of outdoor Blues jams die. He is bringing himself and his
Flat Foot Boogie Band to the New Maxwell Street Market every Sunday
this summer. He is also inviting all Blues musicians, professional
and aspiring, to sit in and jam with his band. Beginning June 15 and
every Sunday this summer (weather permitting), he will be playing from
9AM to 3PM at the southern edge of the New Maxwell Street Market,
Canal and 16th Street, on the bridge. His Flat Foot Boogie band will
include guitarist Pete Allen, singer Willie Buck (a Muddy Waters style
singer), drummer Johnny McClure, and others. Bluesman Frank 'Little
Sonny' Scott Jr. said he will come by and bring his Maxwell St. Blues
art trailer and gallery, and sit in playing his Blues percussive house
keys. Lots of other Chicago Blues living legends are expected to drop
by.
Mr. Red was a staple at the old Maxwell Street Market, playing on a
makeshift stage in front of the Johnny Dollar Thrift Shop, next to the
Johnny Dollar Catfish Stand on Maxwell Street just east of Halsted.
Says Mr. Red, "This is something in my blood. I've just got to do it.
We do this to honor the Blues musicians that appeared on Maxwell
Street starting in the 1930s and to pass the music to the younger
generations -- to continue the sounds so they don't die." Mr. Red
is hoping to find sponsors to pay his regular musicians and the
upfront fixed costs for running these weekly events.
Says Roosevelt University Professor Steve Balkin, "Something
culturally great happened on Maxwell Street. The music created there
is part of Chicago's legacy to the world. And it is close to the
heart of southern African-American working class people. It got
created in empty lots, alleys, and in the streets by the people and
for the people who lived, worked, and socialized there. Maxwell
Street was a piece of Mississippi imbedded into Chicago."
Balkin further comments, "The last two places in Chicago where Blues
musicians regularly came to jam outside was old Maxwell Street at
Halsted, and the Delta Fishmarket on Kedzie. Tragically, both are
gone now. I hope that Blues fans realize what a treasure they had in
those two spots. I hope they and benefactors will support what Piano
C. Red is trying to do. With all the historical destruction, it seems
Chicago is losing its authenticity becoming anywhere USA. Piano C.
Red is trying to reestablish a piece of Chicago authenticity, the old
Maxwell Street Blues experience. Like the Changing of the Guard at
Buckingham Palace in London, or opera performances at La Scala in
Milan, Sunday outdoor Blues jams are part of what defines Chicago.
Keeping that tradition alive is crucial to our identity. I hope
people will support it."
Folklorist Janelle Walker, and Secretary of the Maxwell Street
Historic Preservation Coalition, says, "This is something special that
I will bring my kids to so they can tell their grandchildren about it.
I will also be bringing my camera, tape recorder, and camcorder . I
want to savor this. Everyone really needs to get behind Piano C.
Red's effort."
Piano C. Red is available for interviews, 312-437-0808.
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Phillip L. Gordon
love this music!