Photo by Marjani Viola Hawkins (MVHPhoto.com)

Thank you everyone for your cherished friendship and support! It has been an amazing year filled with great touring, recording and musical expansion. And thanks for the great acceptance, reviews, articles, airplay, show attendance and nominations! Some great appearances and recording sessions this year with: Henry Gray, BobMargolin, Bob Stroger, Big Jon Atkinson, Rhythm Room All-Stars. Dave Riley/Bob Corritore Juke Joint Band, John Primer, Junior Watson/Fred Kaplan’s West Coast Blues All Stars, Tail Dragger, Bob Stroger, Willie Buck, Eddie Taylor Jr., Diunna Greenleaf, Andy T / Nick Nixon Band, Lil’ Ed, Sugaray Rayford, Alabama Mike, Tomcat Courtney, Adrianna Marie & Her Groovecutters, Rockin’ Johnny, Mud Morganfield, Oscar Wilson, Dave Specter, Eddy Clearwater, Billy Flynn, Kenny Smith, Leon Blue, Russell Jackson, Mitch Woods, Karen Lovely, Lisa Mann, Rocket 88s, Tommy Castro, Johnny Sansone, Annika Chambers, Tab Benoit, Illinois Slim, Brandon Santini, Reba Russell, The Mannish Boys with Monster Mike Welch, and Anthony Geraci, The 44’s, Sonny Rhodes, the Fremonts, Darrell Nulisch, the Peterson Brothers, Sterling Billingsley, Big Llou Johnson, Jimmy “Prime Time” Smith, Little Victor, Jimmy Carpenter, Deanna Bogart, Randy Oxford, Missy Anderson, John Nemeth, Igor Prado, Bobby Dixon, Clay Swafford, Billy Price, Gaye Adegbalola, Umberto Pocaro, Ray Hearndon, Steve Kozak, Shoji Naito, Miss Lee, Heather Crosse & Lee Williams, Bob Welsh, George Bowman, Paris James, Cold Shott & The Hurricane Horns, and many others! This year I released the BMA nominated Henry Gray / Bob Corritore Sessions / Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest, on the Delta Groove Music label in celebration of my dear friend Henry Gray’s 90th year and our 19 years of working together! I also made guest appearances on CDs by Sugaray Rayford / South Side, Big Jon Atkinson / Back Down South and Kathy Boye / The Power Of My Shoes. The Rhythm Room had a wonderful year and Those Lowdown Blues radio show on www.kjzz.org is currently 31 years old and going strong. It is a blessing to be a part of this wonderful blues family! Wishing happy holidays and all of life’s blessings to you all!

The above great photo was taken by Marilyn Stringer on January 16th of this year at Boondocks in Tucson

L-R Brian Fahey, Daniel Michel, Henry Gray (seated), Bob Corritore, Big Jon Atkinson, and Troy Sandow.

Check out http://www.bobcorritore.com or www.facebook.com/bobcorritore for more information and to stay connected.

Tonight at The Rhythm Room – A Holiday Food Drive for a great cause! Click here for details.

Visit www.rhythmroom.com for information and tickets!

Do not miss this great Chicago Blues show Friday night at The Rhythm Room!

The King Biscuit Blues Festival in historic Helena, AR commences this week! Bob Corritore appears as a special guest with the amazing Andy T / Nick Nixon Band on Saturday, October 10 on the Main Stage! For the complete Fest lineup click here. Bob Corritore also appears Sunday at Hopson’s Plantation in Clarksdale, MS for the Pinetop Perkins Homecoming with the Bobs Of The Blues (Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore). A great week of blues in the Deep South!

Bob Corritore’s birthday party happens this Saturday at The Rhythm Room with music by the great Missy Andersen Band from San Diego!

Please join Bob for this celebration! No presents please – just your presence!

July 11, 1936 to Sept 8, 2015
A great Bluesman, a great man.

Do not miss this most amazing blues party! Next week in Vegas it’s all about the blues! The Big Blues Bender! Check out this lineup! For more information and buy tickets visit the website: The Big Blues Bender is Back

September 25th, 2015 Fluid Events Center, Champaign, IL The awards ceremonies will feature 23 of the best in today’s Blues music. The artist’s listed below will all be performing at the awards ceremonies starting at 6:00PM. Tickets to this gala event are only $40. To get your tickets now, CLICK HERE    Visit our website at www.theBBMAs.com for complete information To hear music by these great artists visit our SoundCloud listening page at https://soundcloud.com/bluesblast/sets/awards-performers  ANTHONY GOMES Anthony Gomes, #1 Billboard Blues Artist, is a triple threat force as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Gomes has headlined concerts in 17 countries and has had the honor of sharing the stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Plant, Joe Bonamassa, Heart, Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. ​Gomes shows no signs of slowing down. Early 2015 will see the release of Electric Field Holler, a guitar driven blues infused rock ‘n’ roll album that showcases Gomes‘ blistering six string work and whiskey soaked voice. I feel like this will be our pinnacle year in terms of creativity and artistic achievement,” says Gomes. “It’s time to turn it up.” www.anthonygomes.com ​ALEXIS P. SUTER In 2005, Alexis recorded her first full length CD entitled “Shuga Fix” featuring original tunes and a more soulful sound. To her credit she has recorded a total of 6 CDs thus far. In addition to “Shuga Fix” are “Just Another Fool”, “Alexis P Suter Band LIVE at the Midnight Ramble” (Alexis went on to open for the late Levon Helm at the Midnight Ramble in Woodstock, NY over 90 times), “Two Sides”, “Live at the Turning Point” and her current Blues/Rock CD Love the Way You Roll. The latter is presently doing very well on all of the Blues Charts. http://www.alexispsuter.com GHOST TOWN BLUES BAND Second-place finishers at both the 2014 and 2015 International Blues Challenge, the Ghost Town Blues Band have graduated into a signature local blues act, on Beale Street and beyond, and a notable name on the genre’s wider landscape. Hard Road to Hoe, released earlier this year, only adds to those credentials. This is a modern Beale band informed by both the rural accents of the Mississippi Hill Country and the second-line strut of New Orleans, with prominent horn and organ/piano presences. www.ghosttownbluesband.com DAVE SPECTER Blues guitarist, bandleader and producer Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the USA. Dave’s latest album, Message in Blue features special guests Otis Clay,  Brother John Kattke and Bob Corritore. It’s currently topping the Roots Music Report’s blues charts and has received rave, 4 star reviews from Downbeat Magazine and All Music Guide. www.davespecter.com BOB CORRITORE Bob Corritore is one of the most active and highly regarded blues harmonica players on the scene today. His style passionately carries forward the old school of playing that Corritore learned as a young man directly from many of original pioneers of Chicago Blues. His sympathetic, yet fiery harmonica playing is featured on over 50 releases to date, on labels such as HighTone, HMG, Blue Witch, Blind Pig, Earwig, Ruf, Putumayo, Random Chance, and the VizzTone Label Group and the great Delta Groove label, which he is currently signed to. Many of Bob’s acclaimed releases have been nominated or winners for various Handy, Grammy, and Blues Music Awards and Blues Blast Music Awards. Bob is also widely recognized for his many roles in the blues, as band leader, club owner, record producer, radio show host, arts foundation founder, and occasional writer. His amazing website and his weekly e-newsletter reflect a life thoroughly invested in the blues. www.bobcorritore.com JOHN GINTY John Ginty is an American organist, keyboard player, songwriter, and producer from Morristown, NJ. He has toured and recorded with artists such as Jewel, Citizen Cope, Santana, Dixie Chicks, Matthew Sweet, Court Yard Hounds, Bad Religion, Ron Sexsmith, Charlie Mars, and he was an original founding member of Robert Randolph and the Family Band. His discography spans almost two decades and demonstrates his eclectic influences and unique sounds on the keys. His live 2014 CD Bad News Travels LIVE! captures the spirit of a live Ginty performance, in all of its unapologetic, mind-numbing intensity. His recently released studio recordingNo Filter is at the top of many Blues charts. and Ginty and his band have been touring throughout the summer of 2015. www.johngintymusic.com ANDY T – NICK NIXON BAND Nick Nixon is one of those amazing artists that rarely surface today. This velvet voiced singer was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and was part of the thriving Jefferson Street blues scene of the 60′s. Nick was a Chess Records recording artist in the 70′s, and is a key figure in the reviving Nashville blues scene today. As a long-time member of The New Imperials, an act with a forty-five year history, Nick has performed with many of the top blues and R&B artists. “Andy T” Talamantez was born and raised in Southern California, and relocated to Nashville in 2008. His guitar style is influenced by T-Bone Walker, BB King, Magic Sam, and Albert Collins among others, yet it remains his own. Andy has toured internationally with blues greats Guitar Shorty and Smokey Wilson. Their 2014 Delta Groove release Livin’ it Up received numerous nominations including a nomination for a Blues Music Award and garnered considerable airplay. Their followup release on Blind Pig Records, Numbers Man is scheduled for release on August 28th. www.andytband.com ​ ​TAD ROBINSON Tad Robinson would have fit in snugly with the blue-eyed soul singers of the 1960s. His vocals virtually reeking of soul, he’s capable of delving into a straight-ahead Little Walter shuffle or delivering a vintage O.V. Wright R&B ballad. Add his songwriting skills and exceptional harp technique and you have quite the total package. Tad’s new album, Day Into Night on Severn Records debuted among the Top Ten releases in the Living Blues International Radio Chart for the month of April! And, Day Into Night has been nominated for a 2015 Blues Blast Music Award for Soul Blues Album of the Year! Tad has been nominated for seven Blues Music Awards since 2005. ​www.tadrobinson.com SLAM ALLEN Slam Allen has been entertaining with his unique blend of soul and blues for over twenty years. Playing the famous Chitlin’ Circuit as well as performing around the world, Allen’s music and enthusiasm has been shared with thousands of people. For the past five years he has played an important role in the legendary James Cotton Band. Music is in Allen’s blood — he got his start from his father and uncles who were known as the Allen Brothers Band. Allen carries on the family legacy wherever he goes. His music runs deep. “When I play,” says Allen, “People who may have never heard of me leave the show with a feeling like that we’re old friends or family.” From B.B. King to Otis Redding. Slam has a way of making you feel the Soul of the Music. Sometime you cannot tell if he is doing one of his originals or a old blues or soul cover cause he makes all the music his own. www.slamallen.com ​ BOBBY MESSANO Bobby Messano is a legendary artist who has released five contemporary Blues CDs, placed songs in major TV and Cable shows and had songs held by Eric Clapton and others. He has played guitar on over 50 Major label and Indie albums and his playing has been heard on everything from the MTV jingle to the Benny Mardones’ smash hit “Into The Night” Bobby’s touring and recording band is second to none and is considered one of the hottest on the Contemporary Blues scene. www.bobbymessano.com CHRIS OLEARY BAND Chris’s musical background includes duties as lead singer and front man for rock and roll hall of famer and Grammy award winner Levon Helm’s band The Barn­burn­ers. Dur­ing the 6 years that Chris and Levon played together they toured across the US and Canada lighting up stages everywhere they went. Chris has appeared on stage with: Leg­endary Rolling Stones side­man Bobby Keys, The Fab­u­lous Thun­der­birds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healy, Dan Akroyd, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Dave Maxwell and the great James Cot­ton to name just a few. Chris has also recorded with Bill Perry and Hubert Sum­lin among others. thechrisolearyband.net MAGNUS BERG Sensational 18-year old Norwegian guitarist/songwriter Magnus Berg has been leading his own band since age 16. Having toured all over Norway from top to bottom, from the West to the East, he began to perform on the same coveted Norwegian festival lineups as established international touring artists coming through his homeland. He received his first guitar (built by his grandfather) at the age of seven. Early on, Berg discovered classic rock and the first guitarist he tried to emulate was Angus Young (AC/DC). He took his admiration of Young and other classic rock guitarists even further, setting out to discover the roots of the music he was listening to. This is where he found the Blues and artists such as B.B King, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Otis Rush and Jimmy Reed. These musicians have become the inspiration behind his melodic and gutsy guitar style. Magnus ic coming all the way from Norway to perform at the 2015 Blues Blast Music Awards. www.magnusbergmusic.com DEB RYDER Los Angeles based Deb Ryder is best known for her powerhouse vocals, incredible range, and classic blues style. Just back on the local scene in the last few years, she is receiving acclaim from music critics as an up and coming blues artist, song writer, and recording artist. Deb’s passion for singing is matched by her powerful bluesy voice. Her writing and musical style ranges from the classic and familiar, to the more modern styling’s of today’s blues artists. This collection of original tunes were written from real life experiences, with just a touch of whimsy. Born in Peoria Illinois, the family moved to Chicago where Deb was surrounded by the blues of Chicago’s streets and clubs. At a very young age, she was exposed to Jazz, Blues and Gospel by her father, Allan Swanson, a local singer, and Chicago music sensation. When the family relocated to Los Angeles, Deb regularly performed at her stepdad’s famous 70’s Rock and Roll club, The Topanga Corral, opening for many blues legends such as Big Joe Turner, Charlie Musselwhite, Etta James and Taj Mahal. During that same time, Deb spent time with Etta James who mentored her, and collaborated on some projects which forever and indelibly stamped her style, and sealed her love of singing, and of the blues. These collective artists, and her personal experiences with them over many years formed the influences that are recognizable in her vocal and writing style. www.debryder.com MISSY ANDERSEN Born in Detroit and living in San Diego by way of Queens, New York, Missy Andersen follows her self-titled debut with a timeless follow-up of blues going straight to the spirit and body. With her band leader/guitarist/husband Heine Andersen, she has again created a personal soundtrack for good times and the pain and joys of love. Her current release, In the Moment, has 11 varied tracks including 8 originals, five of which are penned by the Andersens. Recorded with heavy hitters Bill Stuve (bass), Marty Dodson (drums), Sue Palmer (piano), Ben Moore (organ), and guest appearances by Nathan James and James Harman, the CD takes the listener down a lush musical path. Beginning with the Louis Jordan-esque “Rent Party” and ending with a gospel-tinged remake of Snooks Eaglin’s “I’ve Been Walkin’,” the disc has something for everyone. From Chicago blues to New Orleans second-line beats, slow blues and soul ballads, Memphis soul to funky Meters-like rhythms. It’s all in there and it’s easy to understand where those wide-ranging influences come from. missyandersen.com DUO SONICS The Duo Sonics bring a unique blend of blues and roots music to the stage. Featuring Bob Parker playing reso-phonic guitar, baritone guitar, six-string bass and mandolin, with David Berntson on Hohner diatonic and chromatic harmonicas and concertina, the Duo Sonics interpret classic blues in an exciting, high-energy show. Whether playing a slow blues, dripping with amplified harp and slide guitar, or a full-blown boogie-woogie or jump blues number, this duo can really sing and swing. Bob Parker has played blues professionally for over 35 years, most recently with the Oscillators and with Junior Markham. A native of Tulsa, his heartfelt and steady guitar technique reflects Oklahoma and Texas blues traditions and creates an incredibly full sound. David Berntson has also played blues for over 35 years, both in his home state of Illinois, and in Oklahoma. He is a master of Chicago blues, Mississippi Delta style blues and jump blues. His ability to connect with an audience, coupled with his passion for the Blues, makes for a dynamic and entertaining musical performance. In addition to playing with many Tulsa area bands, David was awarded the “Keeping the Blues Alive in Education” award from the Blues Foundation in 2006. www.crossroadslearning.org/duosonics.html BIG DAVE MCLEAN (WITH STEVE DAWSON) Big Dave McLean is the heart and soul of the Winnipeg music scene, has been singing the blues better than anyone for decades now. It’s a journey that’s taken him hooting, hollering and testifying through every juke joint and dance hall across the country more times than he can remember. If there’s a blues club in Canada worth its salt, he’s played there. After all, how many other singers had their first guitar lesson from John Hammond and got to open up for Muddy Waters? Steve Dawson will be accompanying Big Dave at the awards. In the same way you can recognize that it’s Bert Jansch, Ry Cooder, or Mississippi John Hurt playing guitar after hearing just a few notes, Steve Dawson has established a voice for his instrument that is as distinct as any of theirs to become one of the most identifiable sounds in modern roots music exploring the infinite possibilities offered by his pallet of acoustic guitars – both 6 and 12-string acoustics, a National tricone guitar, and a Weissenborn Hawaiian guitar – without any effects, or even a human voice to separate him from his audience. www.blackhenmusic.com/artist/big-dave-mclean FO REEL Heavy Water, debut CD performed by New Orleans-based Blues, R&B and Funk Band, Fo’Reel, includes an incredible performance by C.P. Love, legendary New Orleans soul singer; Johnny Neel, Grammy Award winning keyboardist, best known for his songwriting, stage, and session work for the Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, and Dickey Betts; Mark Domizio, Band Leader, guitarist and project creator. Heavy Water is a high-energy blend of Contemporary Blues that includes a lot of funky grooves that will make you want to move. Every song is strong and energy filled, the vocals are passionate, the guitar playing is deep and full of emotion, the keyboard and horns are a driving force to the overall distinctive style and sound. Anyone who enjoys strong-driven, energy-filled music will love this CD. It not only hits the listener with a variety of interesting styles like Swing and a Latin-Tinged Rumba, it embraces New Orleans Blues, R&B and Funk. Heavy Water also features Jon Smith, multi Grammy Award winning tenor saxophonist; Rick Lawson, singer song writer; Daryl Burgess, drums; David Hyde, bassist and co-producer; Ward Smith, baritone sax; and Barney Floyd, trumpet. www.foreelband.com BIG HARP GEORGE Big Harp George/George Bisharat is a San Francisco Bay Area blues singer and harmonica player who features the chromatic harmonica. George is a professor of criminal procedure and practice, Islamic law, and anthropology of law at UC Hastings College of the Law, expert commentator on law and politics in the Middle East, and former San Francisco public defender.  His writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and many other publications in the U.S. and abroad. George counts George “Harmonica Smith,” William Clarke, and Paul deLay as major influences on his chromatic playing. The chromatic (compared to the ten-hole diatonic more common to blues) has a distinctive voice, and lends Big Harp George’s sound a jazzy, contemporary, and sophisticated feel. www.bigharpgeorge.com ALTERED FIVE Proclaimed “a staple of the Midwest’s band scene” and “a festival favorite” by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in 2012, Altered Five’s delectable brew of blues and soul is now quickly gaining national attention. The group’s third album, Cryin’ Mercy, was produced by Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, James Cotton, etc.) and released in October, 2014. It reached #3 in the iTunes blues store and hit #1 on the Roots Music Report radio chart. Cryin’ Mercy won “Best Self-Released CD” at the 2015 International Blues Challenge. From day one, Altered Five dared to be different. The quintet formed in 2002 and quickly gained a reputation for its inventive arrangements and distinctive sound. Isthmus magazine called the band “a rising blues unit” and OnMilwaukee.com declared, “The group delivers the element of surprise.” It’s been said that “the blues is a feeling,” so when the Minneapolis Star Tribune states that the band is a “righteous blast,” you know they play it right. www.alteredfive.com . EIGHT O’FIVE JIVE Eight O’Five Jive has enough energy to power a small fleet of ’57 Cadillacs, with more than adequate fuel to ignite any stage on fire with their driving sound of swingin’ blues and early rock ‘n roll. Reminiscent of the classic era of the late 1940’s to the late 1950’s, when men wore fedora’s and strong women with attitude ruled the cocktail dress, jump jive defined an exciting era of music and dance. Freddy King, Mabel Scott, and Wynonnie Harris, and more, along with some original compositions, define Eight O’Five Jive as a creative ensemble of jump, and swingin blues. A few well-placed steamy jazz standards round out the sound, but also entice an intimate moment to linger over a martini, or a sloe gin fizz. Eight O’Five Jive redefines this exciting era not lost in time, but alive and jivin’ with classic and rare material that is well suited for dinner and drinks, but best suited for tapping feet and a lively dance floor. eightofivejive.net OSCAR WILSON (Cash Box Kings) ​Singer and songwriter Oscar Wilson, a 6’3”is a 300 hundred pound Muddy Waters-type throwback to the heyday of the Chicago blues scene who fronts the award winning band Cash Box Kings. On their latest opus, Holding Court, the Cash Box Kings pay homage to some of the founding fathers of the Chicago blues scene but also help keep alive the musical contributions of lesser-known blues artists like Honey Boy Allen (“I’m a Real Lover Baby”), Willie Love (“Everybody’s Fishin’”) and Big Smokey Smothers (“I Ain’t Gonna Be No Monkey Man”). While the Kings have their feet firmly planted in these timeless musical traditions, they bring a spirited energy and updated approach to the music. While the subject matter of many of the songs is familiar (love, money and good times) they also touch on a number of current issues. “Download Blues” portrays the challenges of selling records and staying financially afloat in the era of digital piracy and streaming services. “Gotta Move Out To The Suburbs” describes the real struggle faced by many who are forced out of their neighborhoods due to gentrification taking in areas of Chicago and other urban centers in the U.S. www.cashboxkings.com MARKEY BLUE Markey Blue is “Blues to the Next Level” according to fans.- Reeves Guitars. An amazing group of talent brought together in the studio and on stage, creating there own unique sound of music. “its not like any blues or R&B I’ve heard out there. It opens the doors to several genera’s. Peter Fleming- Airplay Direct. There first Cd is due out this fall and is already creating a buzz through out the music industry. The Markey Band’s resume is and outstanding eclectic mix of the who’s who in both touring and recording. Markey has had the honor of performing for three past presidents, and has opened for and performed with the likes of Bobby Blue Bland, Candy Kayne, Taj Mahal, Steve Cropper,Anson Funderburg, Guitar Shorty, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Frankie Valley, Andy Williams, Michael Fienstein, Robert Goulet, Maureen McGovern, Jack Jones, Micky Rooney, Phillis Diller, Sammy Kershaw, Kevin Sharp, The Osmonds, The Smothers Brothers and many more. Markey was recently awarded one of the top five song writers for Georgia’s Songwriter Showcase Award Show, and ESPN just featured one of Markey’s songs for one of their program specials. Markey has already seen success on a couple different music charts as a songwriter, arranger, and producer. www.markeyblue.com DAN PHELPS Dan Phelps is a native of Illinois, and currently resides in the northern city of Roscoe.He has been playing acoustic blues for the past 25 years, sharing the stage with local Illinois bands, as well as teaching private classes. In addition, he has spent the past 15 years dedicated to studying and playing the Delta style of blues. His CD releases have met with critical acclaim in US and British blues magazines such as Blues Revue and Blues and Rhythm magazines. Dan’s comfort onstage,and quality of the performance is undeniable; his commitment and musical talent lends itself to an easy rapport with the audience. Dan recently teamed up with the Vincent Record label, and his latest full length CD “Going Home” was released in July, 2014. In “Going Home”, Dan Phelps pays tribute to some of the originators of the blues, men such as Charley Patton, Skip James, and John Estes, among others. www.danphelpsblues.net

Bob Corritore performs this weekend at the Edmonton Blues Festival in sets with Henry Gray, Junior Watson, Fred Kaplan and guest appearance with Adrianna Marie & Her Groovecutters! Check out the poster and this festival’s unbelievable lineup!

The Dave Riley & Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band performs tomorrow night at The Rhythm Room!

Bob Corritore returns to his hometown to play the Chicago Blues Festival and a few extra cool club dates! Here is where he will be!

Rest In Peace B.B. King

September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015

We say goodbye in gratitude for all that you were to us. Truly the king of the blues!

Photo courtesy of Ace Records

Big Jon & The Nationals (with Big Jon Atkinson, Danny Michel, Troy Sandow, Marty Dotson and special guest Bob Corritore)  will perform Sunday at 11:30am at the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point, California. This will also be the first day that Big Jon’s brilliant new CD Back Down South (Bluebeat Music Label) will be available for sale! Check out the huge fest lineup! Hope to see you there!

Here’s a list of events where you can see Bob over the next couple months:

05/07/15: Memphis, TN – Blues Music Awards
05/08/15: Memphis, TN – Rum Boogie, set with John Primer at Brandon Santini’s Beale Street Messaround show 3:30pm

05/08/15: Memphis, TN – Hard Rock Café, set with John Primer at 7pm for Generation Blues Fundraiser hosted by Nick Nixon / Andy T Band.

05/08/15: Memphis, TN – Rum Boogie, Bob Margolin’s VizzTone Showcase after 9:30 pm
05/09/15: Clarksdale, MS – Hopson’s Plantation Pinetop Perkins Foundation Event
05/15/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Bob Corritore will make a guest appearance with Trick Bag

05/17/15: Dana Point, CA – Doheney Blues Fest appearing with Big John & The Nationals

05/22/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, with Willie Buck and the Rhythm Room All-Stars

05/23/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, appearing at the  Chico Chism Memorial Birthday Party hosted by Rocket 88’s
05/29/15 & 05/30/15: Monsteras, Sweden – Monsteras Blues & Roots Festival with Junior Watson, Fred Kaplan, Kedar Roy, Richard Innes – performing a Taboo set, and separate sets with Henry Gray and Sugaray Rayford.
06/06/15: San Diego, CA – Proud Mary’s for Big Jon’s Summer Blues Bash, appearing with Rhythm Room All-Stars and Dave Riley. Also appearing , Kid Ramos , Kim Wilson, Johnny Main, Aki Kumar, Kirk Fletcher

06/13/15: Chicago, IL – Chicago Blues Festival with The Bobs Of The Blues (Margolin, Corritore, Stroger) 2:30 Windy City Stage

06/13/15: Chicago, IL – Reggie’s, Muddy Waters Tribute show appearing with Bob Margolin and Mud Morganfield
06/14/15: Chicago, IL – Chicago Blues Festival – VizzTone Showcase (Bob will guest for 1 or 2 songs on this star studded set) Windy City Stage 1PM
06/14/15: Chicago, IL – Chicago Blues Festival – guest appearance with John Primer and the Wolf Records All-Stars, Windy City Stage 2:45 pm set
06/19/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, CD Release party for The Henry Gray / Bob Corritore Sessions CD!
06/24/15 to 07/05/15:  Europe – Tour with Dave Riley for Tano Ro
07/10/15 & 07/11/15: Spain – Hondarribia Blues Festival with Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore (The Bobs Of The Blues) plus Kenny Smith

07/17/15: Tucson AZ – Boondocks with Darrell Nulisch backed by the Rhythm Room All-Stars

07/18/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room with Darrell Nulisch backed by the Rhythm Room All-Stars
08/15/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room with Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band
08/21/15 to 08/22/15: Edmonton, Canada – Edmonton Blues Festival. One appearance with Junior Watson / Fred Kaplan and one set backing Henry Gray
08/28/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room with the Rhythm Room All-Stars
09/10/15 to 09/13/15: Las Vegas, NV – BIG BLUES BENDER doing a special duet set with Lil’ Ed and various other guest slots throughout the event.
10/16/15: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room with Tail Dragger, Rockin Johnny, Illinois Slim, Big Jon Atkinson, Brian Fahey and surprise guest!

I sadly report the passing this morning of Randy Chortkoff, CEO of Delta Groove Productions, master of Jimmy Reed style harmonica, blues organizer and cheerleader extraordinaire, and my friend for over 35 years. Thank you Randy for all that you did for all of us.

– Bob Corritore

Photo by Josh Temkin

THE HENRY GRAY / BOB CORRITORE SESSIONS
Vol. 1 Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest

Release date June 16, 2015 on Delta Groove!

The legendary blues pianist Henry Gray has collaborated with harmonica ace Bob Corritore since 1996. The visceral musical cohesiveness and their long standing musical bond has produced consistently stunning recordings that are steeped in purity and tradition. With Henry’s recent 90th birthday (born January 19, 1925), Bob Corritore took it upon himself to share some of these true musical gems from his seemingly infinite recording vaults. The first volume presents a 14 song selection recorded over a 19 year period, in which all but 4 tracks are previously unissued. Henry sings 9 of these selections and Robert Jr. Lockwood, John Brim, Nappy Brown, Tail Dragger, and Dave Riley provide one vocal each. At the core of each of these songs are the Gray and Corritore team who demonstrate their robust musical prowess and understated taste. Joining the proceedings are a rotating lineup of some of the blues’ greatest musicians for a program of fully-realized songs that alternate between rollicking, partying jumps and shuffles to the deepest of blues!

Here is the cover of this CD with design by Tony Amato and cover photo by Marjani Viola Hawkins / MVHPhoto.com

For the full artwork click here.

This release made possible by the generous donations to Southwest Musical Arts Foundation. Thank you!

The soul of the city. Neon flash and vintage on one end, and old-school cool with a hipster attitude on the other. Here, it all works. This walkable district is charged with a new energy. And it may be the best people-watching spot in town. It’s where it all began. Enter The Plaza Hotel under the classic twinkling dome and feel like a high roller. Then stride across the marble floors into plush, luxurious rooms with first-class amenities and exceptional service. It’s the result of a $35 million renovation. And you’ll feel the excitement throughout the hotel. Step right out the front door to explore Fremont Street. What’s great about staying Downtown is that all of the attractions are close together so you can explore more with less walking.

Bob Corritore & Lil’ Ed

Visit BigBluesBender.com for more info!