Pinetop Perkins and the Legends of Blues September 25, 2008

Pinetop Perkins
Pinetop Perkins—one of the last great Mississippi bluesmen still performing—has created a style of playing that has influenced three generations of piano players. Perkins started out playing at house parties and honky-tonks. Working primarily in the Mississippi Delta in the 30s and 40s, Perkins spent three years with Sonny Boy Williamson on the King Biscuit Time radio show in Arkansas. In the early 50s—after briefly working with B.B. King in Memphis—Perkins completed a session with Earl Hooker for Sun Records. Perkins is best known for his piano playing in the Muddy Waters Band for 12 years. In 1980, Pinetop and other Waters alumni formed the Legendary Blues Band, recording two records. Since going solo, Pinetop has released 15 records in 16 years including: Born in the Delta, Legends, and Ladies Man. All three CDs were nominated for Grammy’s®, and in 2005 he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Grammy’s®.

Hubert Sumlin
Hubert Sumlin grew up playing his guitar with harmonica great James Cotton. At the age of 18 he became Howlin' Wolf's lead guitarist for the next 25 years. He has played with Willie Dixon, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry and countless others. He counts among his biggest fans Jimmy Page and John Mayer as well as Keith Richards and Eric Clapton, both of whom play on Sumlin’s new album, About Them Shoes. Produced by Rob Fraboni (Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton), About Them Shoes features 11 songs associated with Muddy Waters, along with one Hubert Sumlin original.

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Seven-time W.C. Handy Award winner/multiple Grammy® Award nominee, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith sparked his harmonica career in 1954, forming a trio with drummer Clifton James. During this time, Willie played harp with several other artists including Bo Diddley, Arthur 'Big Boy' Spires and Johnny Shines. Two years after receiving an invitation to play drums for a 1959 recording session for Muddy Waters, Willie joined Muddy's band, playing until mid-1964. But after a four year absence, Muddy asked Willie to rejoin his band, which he played in until 1980, appearing on all of Muddy's Grammy®-winning albums. Smith is also a co-founder of the Legendary Blues Band.