Minford James Smith, better known as Jimi Primetime Smith is a fine vocalist and a true master of blues guitar! Primetime was born in Chicago on March 12, 1958. He is the son of Johnnie Mae Dunson, a great songwriter, drummer, and singer steeped in the thick of Chicago blues in its heyday. While growing up his mother would have dinner guests such as Willie Dixon, Eddie Taylor, Koko Taylor, Hubert Sumlin, J.B. Hutto and many more. Jimmy Reed stayed with the Smith family for a period of time and was the first person to teach Primetime how to play guitar. Jimi Primetime Smith first gig was backing Jimmy Reed at the 1973 Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival. Primetime would move to Minneapolis in the late 1970s and become an important part of that blues scene until he relocated to Phoenix in 2016. Since landing in Phoenix, Primetime and Bob Corritore have been closely collaborating. Jimi Primetime Smith has raised the bar in the Phoenix blues scene since his arrival.
Jimi Primetime Smith at the Rhythm Room. Photo by Elaine Thomas Campbell.
Mother and son! Johnnie Mae Dunson and Jimi Primetime Smith!
Clockwise: Cynthia Murphy (Jimi’s cousin), Jimi Primetime Smith, Johnnie Mae Dunson, Floyd Jones.
Jimi Primetime Smith at Tempest Recording. Photo Bob Corritore.
A very young Jimi Primetime Smith.
Jimmy Reed and Jimi Primetime Smith. Photo by Jim O’Neal.
Johnnie Mae Dunson, Amy Van Singel, Jimmy Reed, Jimi Primetime Smith. Photo Jim O’Neal.
Jimmy Reed. Photo by Jim O’Neal.
A very young Jimi Primetime Smith.
Johnnie Mae Dunson playing drums with J.B. Hutto & The Hawks! That’s George Mayweather on the harmonica.
Johnnie Mae Dunson and Jimi Primetime Smith.
Jimi Primetime Smith and his mother Johnnie Mae Dunson.
Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore. Photo Marilyn Stringer.
Brian Fahey, Yahni Riley, Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Corritore in Europe, 2023. Photo Franky Bruneel.
Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore. Photo Franky Bruneel.
Jimi Primetime Smith and John Primer performing at the 2023 Edmonton Blues Festival. Photo by Marilyn Stringer.
Jimi Primetime Smith backing Nora Jean Wallace. Photo by Mike Turngren.
Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore at the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards.
Bob Corritore, Jimi Primetime Smith, Tail Dragger, Yahni Riley at the 2023 Moulin Blues Festival, Netherlands.
Bob Stroger, Carl Weathersby, Jimi Primetime Smith after a recording session at Tempest Recording. Photo Bob Corritore.
Unintentional wardrobe match! Zack Harmon and Jimi Primetime Smith at the Rhythm Room. Photo Bob Corritore.
Bob Corritore and Jimi Primetime Smith perform in Devizes, Wiltshire in the U.K. November 24, 2023.
Jimi Primetime Smith in front of the Rhythm Room. Photo by Dave Blake.
Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Corritore, Mizz Lowe, Bobby Rush at the Rhythm Room, 2024. Bobby Rush had just won his third Grammy award two days before this photos was taken.
Jimi Primetime Smith at the Rhythm Room 2024. Photo by Dave Blake.
Jimi Primetime Smith photo by Bruce Charles.
Jimi Primetime Smith at the Rhythm Room, September 27, 2024. Photo by Jimi Giannatti.
Jimi Primetime Smith, Saturday, February 15, 2025 at the Rhythm Room. Photo Dave Blake.
Blues on Halsted schedule card. Back then Jimi Primetime Smith went under the name of James Smith. Jimi held down a regular Sunday and Monday night gig playing guitar behind Big Walter Horton.
Bob Corritore - Official Website 