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December 29, 2023 – The Year 2023 In Review!
As we close out 2023, I want to take a little time to reflect on an amazing year filled with touring, great performances with great musicians, great friendships, personal and musical growth, the sad loss of two close blues musician friends, five CD releases, amazing press and recognition, lots of airplay, a few feature articles, a bunch of award nominations, and a handful of wins!
Thank you all my friends and fans, my record label VizzTone Label Group, my publicist Amy Brat/BratGirlMedia, my behind-the-scenes production heroes Clarke Rigsby, John, Wroble, Kid, Anderson, Vince Ray, Jimi Giannatti, and Jeff Taylor, the great staff at the Rhythm Room, headed by manager Lynsey Curtis, and all of my amazing fans from all around the world who show me so much love and support! I count my blessings every day. So let’s review some of the highlights of the year.
Album Releases!
This year I was able to release five powerful albums!
Awards!
This year I received lots of nominations and a handful of wins!
Feature Articles!
Here are just a few of the articles from 2023, but for a complete list of all articles, click here.
A Year Filled With Live Performances!
2023 saw so many fantastic stages in both North America and Europe! There were seven out of the country trips, and lots of USA festivals and special shows. Of course my homebase in Phoenix is the Rhythm Room and there were a lot of great nights over there! Here is a complete list of 2023 scheduled performances:
01/07/23: Phoenix, Arizona – Rhythm Room House Rent Party. The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Band will host with Sugaray Rayford, Francine, Reed , Andy Gonzales, Paris James, George Bowman, Big Daddy D, Hans Olson, Eric Ramsey and more.
01/24/23: Memphis, TN – Rum Boogie, Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore perform a revue set with Gabe Stillman.
01/26/23: Memphis, TN – Blues Hall, As part of the Blues Foundation’s IBC week they present a Harmonica Masterclass hosted by Bob Corritore with Jonn Del Torro Richardson providing guitar accompaniment. At the conclusion of this class, Bob Corritore will meet Bob Margolin next door at the Rum Boogie and they will do another class on Guitar/Harmonica Blues Interation. Exact afternoon times TBA.
01/27/23: Memphis, TN – Rum Boogie. VizzTone showcase, performing with Bob Margolin and Willie Buck. Many artists from the VizzTone Label Group will be featured on this night.
01/31/23 and 02/01/23: Seattle, WA – Jazz Alley with Highway 99 All-Stars (Lisa Mann, Ben Rice, Robin Moxy, Bob Corritore, Steve Sarkowsky, Jeff Conlin)
02/11/23: Tulsa, Oklahoma, The Shrine, 112 E. 28th Street, David Berntson’s Birthday Bash appearing with The Bob’s Of The Blues (Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore)
02/25/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band, CD Release Party!
03/11/23: Apache Junction, AZ – Superstition Blues, Brews and Arts Festival at Flat Iron Park, 2:45 set with Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
03/14/23 to 03/18/23: Bern, Switzerland, Marian’s Jazz Room, duet shows with Bob Margolin
03/31/23: Phoenix, AZ – The Rhythm Room, John Primer & Bob Corritore with Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Stroger, Wes Starr, Anthony Geraci
04/04/23: Oro Valley, AZ, The Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N ORACLE ROAD, 5pm doors, 6pm show. Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore do a duo opening set, then Bad News Blues Band, then Jimi and Bob guest with BNBB. Tickets online at http://www.gaslightmusichall.com or 520-529-1000
04/22/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
05/04/23: Luxembourg – Sang a Klang Blues Club with Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band with Tail Dragger, Johnny Burgin
05/05/23: Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium – Hnita Jazz Club, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band with Tail Dragger, Johnny Burgin
05/06/23: Moulin Blues Festival – Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band with Tail Dragger, Johnny Burgin
05/07/23: Dongen, Netherlands – De Gouden Leeuw with Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band with Tail Dragger, Johnny Burgin
05/08/23: Ruiselede, Belgium – Banana Peel with Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band with Tail Dragger, Johnny Burgin
05/11/23: Memphis, Tennessee – Blues Music Awards (in attendance)
05/19/23: Tucson, AZ – Monterey Court, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
05/20/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
05/26/23 & 05/27/23: Mönsterås, Sweden – the Mönsterås Blues Festival with John Primer, Thornetta Davis, Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Wes Starr, Bob Corritore.
06/16/23 to 06/18/23: Moita, Portugal – BB Blues Festival. John Primer & Bob Corritore perform
06/24/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
07/15/23: Cahors, France -Cahors Blues Festival, Bob Margolin and Bob Corritore will have a featured set on “Bender Night” with the Big Blues Bender house band and the Bender Horns. This night will feature a revue of artists who play the Big Blues Bender.
07/22/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
07/29/23: Willow Springs, IL, The Windy City Blues Society presents The Willow Springs Blues Fest featuring Bob Corritore’s Reunion Revue set with John Primer, Bob Stroger, Oscar Wilson, Tail Dragger, Willie Buck, Billy Flynn, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith. Set starts at 5:25.
08/12/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
08/26/23: Edmonton, Canada – Edmonton, Blues Festival, John Primer & Bob Corritore with Jimi Primetime Smith, Anthony Geraci, Bob Stroger, Wes Starr.
09/01/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
09/23/23: Peoria, IL – Blues Blast Music Awards at Event Center.
09/29/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Bob Corritore‘s Blues Birthday Party with Willie Buck, Oscar Wilson, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Wes Starr!
10/04/23 to 10/07/23: Helena, Arkansas – King Biscuit Blues Festival appearing on 10/06/23 with the Andy T Band and various other places throughout the week.
10/08/23: Clarksdale, Mississippi – Hopson’s Plantation, appearing at Pinetop’s Homecoming Celebration with Bob Margolin and Bob Stroger.
10/13/23: Tucson, AZ – Monterey Court, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
10/14/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
10/18/23: Temecula, CA – Old Time Blues, John Primer & Bob Corritore with The Fremonts
10/19/23: Camarillo, CA – Cantera Cellars, with John Primer & Bob Corritore, Rick Reed and Dave Kida (this is a Cadillac Zack Presents show)
10/21/23: Arcadia, CA – Matt Denny’s Ale House, John Primer & Bob Corritore with Rick Reed and Dave Kida (this is a Cadillac Zack Presents show)
10/22/23: Long Beach, California – Malaineys Grill 5:30 PM show, John Primer & Bob Corritore with Rick Reed and Dave Kida (this is a Cadillac Zack Presents show)
10/23/23: Tarzana, CA – Maui Sugar Mill, John Primer & Bob Corritore with Rick Reed and Dave Kida (this is a Cadillac Zack Presents show)
10/25/23: Sacramento, CA, Starlet Room with John Primer & Bob Corritore
10/26/23: Kelseyville, CA ~ BW Blues Products presents, Buckingham Clubhouse, John Primer & Bob Corritore
10/27/23 and 10/28/23: Loomis, CA, High Hand Cafe, John Primer & Bob Corritore
11/04/23: Phoenix – Blues Blast Festival outside in the parking lot of the Rhythm Room with The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band plus backing Nora Jean Wallace. Go to PhoenixBlues.Com for more details and full festival lineup.
11/23/23: Kent, U.K. – Bourne Music Club with Oscar Wilson/Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Trio
11/24/23: Devizes Wiltshire, with Oscar Wilson/Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Trio
11/25/23: Edinburgh, Scotland – Edinburgh Blues Club with Oscar Wilson/Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Trio
11/26/23: Temperance, U.K. – Leamington Spa with Oscar Wilson/Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Trio
11/27/23: Holborn, U.K. – Pizza Express with Oscar Wilson/Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Trio
12/09/23: Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room, Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band
Passings
It’s always sad to see your close associates pass away, but I feel blessed and enriched to have known both Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry and Tail Dragger. I’m very proud to have made music with them and shared many smiles. Tail Dragger was a lifelong friend who I met in 1976 at a memorial tribute to Howlin’ Wolf. I met Bill Perry much later, but our friendship and bond was immediate. I cherished both of these friendships with my whole heart. They are missed.
The Amazing Successes And Achievements Of My Close Collaborators!
I feel blessed to have such a close nit group of friends that have had so much success.
John Primer – The legendary John Primer had a spectacular year. Check out his list of achievements:
Jimi Primetime Smith – Primetime moved to Phoenix seven years ago and we partnered up immediately. It seem like the collective momentum really hit this year. With Jimi getting two high profile cover stories, and our collaboration album World In A Jug got lots of airplay on XM and lots of positive attention accross the board. Be on the lookout for this rising Bluesman, as more and more people become aware of his great talent!
Bob Stroger – having just turned 93 years young on December 27, Bob Stroger is the greatest Chicago blues bassist alive and he’s finally beginning to get some of his long overdue recognition! This is a great year for Mr. Stroger and we believe there’s much more to come!
Bob Margolin – It was great to see him get a Blues Blast Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award. Bob Margolin works tirelessly for The Blues and participates actively in the Pinetop Perkins Foundation, educating the youth about The Blues! He also has been very active in the Last Waltz tours. He plays with many musicians and I always love when we get the opportunity to work together. Bob Margolin is also a partner in VizzTone Label Group!
Bobby Rush, Johnny Rawls, Oscar Wilson, Ben Levin, Anthony Geraci, Tornetta Davis, Willie Buck, Lurrie Bell, Tia Carroll, Alabama Mike, Diunna Greenleaf – These great blues musicians are very active and have been receiving lots of high profile recognition!
A Great Year For Spotify!
In Summary
There are so many photos and posters from this amazing year, and there would be no way I could fit them all into an email. But I do plan on creating a photo page with highlights from 2023. When that is completed, I will let you know via this newsletter.
I am so grateful for this year. I don’t think that I have ever had a year this active before. I feel that I have continued to improve my Harmonica craft and I’m doing my best playing ever right now. I hope to continue to grow and learn on my instrument and be able to advance my musical expression and showmanship. Somehow the world has allowed me this wonderful life path which I’m thoroughly enjoying. I am so grateful for all my wonderful fans who show me so much love and appreciation. Wishing everybody a fantastic 2024 filled with all of your dreams realized! I thank you with all my heart.
Some Parting Shots!
December 27, 2023 – Today Is Bob Stroger‘s 93rd Birthday!
Happy 93rd birthday to Bob Stroger. Born Dec 27, 1930, Bob Stroger has had over seven decades, playing music professionally! This legendary, Bass Player is still touring the world, and is playing at the top of his game. And on top of that, in the last decade he’s really developed as a front man and singer, charming audiences all around the world and releasing critically acclaimed albums. Bob Stoger literally has worked with every Chicago blues legend imaginable, and to this day is still the Bass Player of choice for all traditionalists. And on top of all of this, he’s one of the kindest, happiest, best dressed musicians on the planet. So today let’s honor this great man on his birthday! Much love to Bob Stroger!
December 24, 2023 – Happy Holidays!
Wishing everybody a blessed holiday season, a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! From Bob Corritore.
December 20, 2023 – Bob Corritore Wins Three Blues Lounge Radio Show Awards!
I am overwhelmed by winning three Blues Lounge Radio Awards yesterday! These honors really top off an amazing year of touring, releasing albums, and personal growth. I appreciate so much all of the friends and fans who voted! And thank you VizzTone Label Group and BratGirlmedia for really getting my name out there. Part of what’s overwhelming are some of the other nominees whom I really look up to. Thank you to Steve Hoare and The Blues Lounge Radio Show!
– Bob Corritore
Best of 2023 Releases
An honor! This album was just listed in the Top 25 of 2023 from Rock Doctor! To see the entire list click here. Notice that also on this list are Dolly Parton and The Rolling Stones!
Bob Corritore & Friends / Phoenix Blues Rumble receives its first reviews!
Click here to see the first three reviews.
December 5, 2023 – Blues Lounge Awards Voting Ends Soon, Primetime Corritore Band Saturday At Rhythm Room, Cover Story In Jefferson, Article In Blues Matters
Blues Lounge Awards Voting Ends Soon
Today is the last day to vote for the Blues Lounge Radio Show Awards. You can now cast your Votes in the 2023 Blues Lounge Radio Show Awards…. Just click this link.Thank you!
Bob Corritore is nominated 4 times in 3 categories:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (2 nominations)
Bob Corritore & Friends / Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me
Bob Corritore & Friends / Women In Blues Showcase
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
HARMONICA OF THE YEAR
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band appear this Saturday, December 9 at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix!
We hope to see you there!
Jefferson Magazine Cover Story!
Thank you, Jefferson Magazine from Sweden and writer Birgitta Larsson for this beautiful cover story! A great honor!
Blues Matters Article!
Thank you Blues Magazine from the U.K. and interviewer Colin Campbell for this beautiful article!
Vaults Series Up To 9 Albums!
With Friday’s release of Phoenix Blues Rumble, Bob Corritore’s Vaults series has achieved 9 albums with more on the way. Thank you everyone for your interest in the historical recordings!
December 1, 2023 – New Album Out Today, Blues Lounge Awards Voting, U.K. Tour Photo Recap
Bob Corritore & Friends/Phoenix Blues Rumble officially released Friday, Dec 1st!
This album is the ninth installment from Bob Corritore’s From The Vaults Series, and it focuses on Phoenix blues singers. Though many of the artists on this record are not well-known outside of the Phoenix community, all of these performances are world class! Below is the album cover, and to see all panels of the album artwork, click this link. This album is available wherever music is sold, but if you would like an autographed copy of this album, or any in the series, you may order direct at bobcorritore@yahoo.com.
Voting has begun for the Blues Lounge Radio Awards!
You can now cast your Votes in the 2023 Blues Lounge Radio Show Awards…. Just click this link.
Bob Corritore is nominated 4 times in 3 categories:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (2 nominations)
Bob Corritore & Friends / Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me
Bob Corritore & Friends / Women In Blues Showcase
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
HARMONICA OF THE YEAR
Thank you!
Legends Of Chicago Blues Trio U.K. Tour photo recap.
Please enjoy these photos of our wonderful tour! Great performances, packed houses, lots of fun! Thank you everyone for all the support, and special thanks to Giles Robson for this very cool tour!
Posters of some of Bob’s upcoming shows!
It’s been a pretty good year, according to Spotify! Check out their recap!
November 21, 2023 – U.K. Tour This Week, New Album Release And Other News!
U.K. Tour This Week
The Blues Trio of Oscar Wilson, Jimi Primetime Smith, and Bob Corritore perform a week of shows in the UK, promoted by Giles Robson, a great harmonica player and promoter who will be opening many of these shows! We look forward to seeing our many friends from the UK this week! And we are excited that two of the shows are already sold out!
Thursday 23rd November, Bourne Music Club, Sittingbourne, Kent
TKTS/INFO: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/RdiEJKhzXNnT
Friday 24th November, Long Street Blues Club, Devizes, Wiltshire
TKTS/INFO: http://www.longstreetbluesclub.co.uk/gigs.html
Saturday 25th November, Edinburgh Blues Club, The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh
TKTS/INFO: https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/legends-of-chicago-blues-the-pleasance-theatre-tickets/13155638
SOLD OUT Sunday 26th November, Temperance Cafe, Leamington Spa
SOLD OUT Monday 27th November, Pizza Express Live (Holborn), London @pizzaexpresslive @shadesofsouluk
Bob Corritore & Friends / Phoenix Blues Rumble to be released December 1st!
Please note this is the fifth album Bob Corritore has released in 2023!
Preorder link: https://ffm.to/bobcphx
To pre-order CD on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0qJxe51
VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP TO RELEASE NEW BOB CORRITORE & FRIENDS ALBUM, “PHOENIX BLUES RUMBLE”, DECEMBER 1, 2023
BOSTON, MA – VizzTone is proud to announce the September 29 release of PHOENIX BLUES RUMBLE, Bob Corritore’slatest “From The Vaults” album culled from his vast archives.
PHOENIX BLUES RUMBLE is a showcase of the artists from Bob Corritore’s adopted home town of Phoenix, Arizona. Recorded between 1987 and 2017, it’s a peek into a Southwest US community that has spawned a powerful blues scene.
Blues harp player Bob Corritore moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1981, and it quickly became a Blues hub. Bob played with local bluesmen Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Big Pete Pearson and Dino Spells, and persuaded his Chicago friend Chico Chism to move to town. Corritore started his long-running radio show, “Those Lowdown Blues” on KJZZ in 1984 – It’s about to celebrate its 49th Anniversary – and he opened the Rhythm Room music club and started bringing blues artists to Phoenix for performances and recording sessions. Those many sessions were to become the fertile ground for his “From the Vaults” album series. Before long Sugaray Rayfordmoved nearby. Behold the power of Phoenix Blues!
The first single features Hattiesburg, MS native Tommy Dukes, who relocated to Arizona in the mid-1950s and has been a prominent blues force in the area ever since. Bob Corritore met Tommy the first week he arrived in Phoenix in 1981, and over the years they’ve maintained a great friendship and worked numerous shows together. Tommy reactivates his childhood blues inspiration by playing in the Jimmy Reed style on his original composition, “Real Bad Day.” Tommy’s relaxed vocals and groovin’ guitar provide the foil for Corritore’s straight-ahead harmonica playing on this real deal blues.
Bob Corritore & Friends / Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me CD is getting amazing reviews!
Thank you to all the publications and reviewers for the kind words about this wonderful release! To see all the wonderful reviews so far, click here.
A gig with Bobby Rush!
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band will open for and back up Bobby Rush as he stops by Phoenix on February 6 after attending the Grammy Awards. The band will do a quick opening set, then Bobby will do a solo set, and the last set Bobby will call up the band to back him! A true honor!
Congratulations John Primer
Speaking of the Grammy awards, it’s a delight to see Bob’s longtime collaborator, John Primer, Grammy nominated for his album, Teardrops For Magic Slim! Congratulations, John Primer! And by the way, there will be a new collaboration album with John and Bob out next year called Crawlin’ Kingsnake!
October 30, 2023 – Phoenix Blues Society Festival This Saturday! California Tour Photo Recap! Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me Album Reaction!
Phoenix Blues Society’s Blues Blast Festival this Saturday.
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band will perform their own set as well as backing Nora Jean Wallace for her set! The festival will be held in the parking lot of the Rhythm Room with a full outdoor stage. The Rhythm Room will be open with solo and duo acts in between the bands outdoors. There will also be a Celebrity Kam/Afterparty at the Rhythm Room immediately following the festival!
West Coast tour photo recap!
Here are some photos from John Primer and Bob Corritore’s two week West Coast tour! It was a lot of work, but also fun and some really great performances. Also really wonderful to see so many of our West Coast friends!
Latest CD Bob Corritore & Friends/Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me Accolades!
Mannish Pumkins! In celebration of Halloween tomorrow please enjoy these Muddy Waters pumpkins!
October 18, 2023 – John Primer/Bob Corritore West Coast Tour
John Primer & Bob Corritore hit the West Coast for 2 weeks of gigs starting tonight! Chicago Blues hits the West Coast! Hope to see you at one of the shows!
October 9, 2023 – Primetime/Corritore Gigs In Tucson And Phoenix Friday And Saturday, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me Media Reaction, Upcoming Tours And Shows, Biscuit Reflections
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore shows this weekend!
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band appear Friday at Monterey Court in Tucson and Saturday at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix!
Out now! Bob Corritore and Friends/Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me!
The response to this album of all newly recorded material has been spectacular! We have received great reviews, lots of playlists, fantastic sales, wonderful comments on Facebook! If you have not picked up your copy yet, here is the link for downloads: https://ffm.to/bcsomebody
And here is to order the CD on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1UcaCAv
Upcoming tours and shows!
A special experience at the King Biscuit Blues Festival and at the Pinetop Perkins Homecoming!
Great times, great blues, good friends, southern hospitality, historical tradition! This was also a year when we saw many young people come forward with a serious interest in this music, respecting and learning from the elder generation! Here are some photos, capturing some of the fun!
October 4, 2023 – King Biscuit Fest And Pinetop Homecoming This Week / New Album Successful Sendoff / Last Weekend’s Chicago Blues Birthday Bash
Goin’ Down South!
Bob Corritore travels to Helena, Arkansas and Clarksdale Mississippi for performances at the King Biscuit Blues Festival and then Sunday at the Pinetop Perkins Homecoming. Bob Corritore’s scheduled performances at the Biscuit will be: 1) a set with the Andy T Band featuring Zac Harmon on Friday, 5:35pm to 6:45pm at the Main Stage, 2) a guest appearance at the Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry Tribute on Saturday, 1:00pm to 1:45pm, at the Lockwood/Stackhouse stage. Bob will play the last two songs with Shy Perry & The Perry Family Band. Then Sunday it’s off to Hobson’s Plantation, Clarksdale, Mississippi for the a performance with The Bobs Of The Blues (Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore) as part of the annual Pinetop Perkins Homecoming, honoring Pinetop’s legacy and supporting the Pinetop Perkins Foundation.
Bob Corritore & Friends / Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me now released and off to a great start!
It’s really exciting to see how well this album is catching on with all sorts of fantastic comments on Facebook, great reviews, and other measures of a successful sendoff. Special thanks to VizzTone Label Group and BratGirlMedia! To see the reviews that have come in so far, please click here. Thank you everyone!
Reflecting on last weekend’s Chicago Blues Birthday Party and recording sessions!
Please enjoy these photos!
September 25, 2023 – Chicago Blues Birthday Party On Friday, New Album Out This Friday! Bob Corritore Wins A Blues Blast Music Award, Upcoming Shows!
Bob Corritore’s Chicago Blues Birthday Bash happens this Friday! Bob Corritore has called upon artists from Chicago and from all around the country for this most amazing blues revue! The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix, Arizona. Advance tickets at rhythmroom.com.
Bob Corritore & Friends / Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me will be released on Friday!
Link for downloads: https://ffm.to/bcsomebody
Link to pre-order the CD on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1UcaCAv
Bob Corritore’s latest masterpiece collection of newly recorded songs featuring a spectacular offering of top blues artists on the scene today. Bob’s brilliant harmonica work is the connecting thread, effortlessly tying together a great variety of blues styles and always serving the song.
Unlike Corritore’s “From the Vaults” series albums, these are all freshly recorded tracks, and they reflect the diverse richness of today’s blues world. Guest vocalists shine, and Corritore’s production touch brings out different and extra cool aspects of each artist’s performance. Listening to this album is like going to an awesome blues festival filled with one heartfelt performance after another.
The first single, “Good As It Gets” features blues icon and Grammy winner Bobby Rush. Co-produced by Bob Corritore and Clarke Rigsby, the lineup includes drum legend Steve Ferrone, organist Chester Thompson, and guitarists Dexter Allen and Jimi “Primetime” Smith, delivering a powerful and funky groove for vocalist Rush to work with. Harmonica ace Corritore sparsely teases his way around the vocals until it’s time to explode for the solo.
The amazing list of featured vocalists includes Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Francine Reed, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Diunna Greenleaf, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Willie Buck, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell. In addition to the vocalists, this album features some of today’s best blues intrumentalists, including Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, Dave Keyes, Doug James, Johnny Main, Johny Rapp, Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy, Troy Sandow, Mike King, Brian Fahey, June Core, Steven Hodges, Wes Starr and more.
To see the complete artwork by Vince Ray and all of the beautiful panels, click here.
Bob Corritore / Women In Blues Showcase won a Blues Blast Music Award for Historical Album!
Thank you VizzTone Label Group and BratGirlMedia for making this possible! Thank you Koko Taylor, Barbara Lynn, Valerie June, Carol Fran, Shy Perry, Aliya Primer, Diunna Greenleaf and Francine Reed for their amazing vocal performances and let’s also mention Adrianna Marie, another Woman In Blues who played bass on Shy Perry’s track! Thanks for all the other amazing musicians who are a part of this project as well as studio people Clarke Rigsby, John Wroble and Kid Andersen, who all added their magic. And thank you for all the voters who believed in and voted for this project! An honor and a privilege. And what a party it was in Peoria, Illinois at the award ceremony! In addition to the Bob Corritore’s win, John Primer, Bob Margolin, and Bob Stroger we’re all presented lifetime achievement awards! additionally, Bob Stroger, won an award and John Primer won two awards! Congratulations to all of the winners!
Tail Dragger Memorial Article
This memorial piece about Tail Dragger came out this weekend in the Chicago Sun Times. Click here to read.
Upcoming Shows!
November UK tour! Thank you, Giles Robson for putting together this tour! Here is all the ticketing information!
Per Giles Robson: THE UK REAL DEAL BLUES SHOWS OF THE AUTUMN! 3 incredible living legends of Chicago Blues in the UK this November. One of my all time favourite blues vocalists Oscar Wilson, the awesome Jimi “Primetime” Smith – son of Johnnie Mae Dunson aka; The Big Boss Lady,” blues legend Jimmy Reed’s one time songwriter, manager and drummer and the great harmonica wizard and Grammy nominated blues producer and catalyst Bob Corritore. All dates and ticket links below!
Thursday 23rd November, Bourne Music Club, Sittingbourne, Kent
TKTS/INFO: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/RdiEJKhzXNnT
Friday 24th November, Long Street Blues Club, Devizes, Wiltshire:
TKTS/INFO: http://www.longstreetbluesclub.co.uk/gigs.html
Saturday 25th November, Edinburgh Blues Club, The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh:
TKTS/INFO: https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/legends-of-chicago-blues-the-pleasance-theatre-tickets/13155638
Sunday 26th November, Temperance Cafe, Leamington Spa:
Monday 27th November, Pizza Express Live (Holborn), London @pizzaexpresslive @shadesofsouluk
TKTS/INFO: https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/legends-of-chicago-blues-chicago-blues-trio
September 20, 2023 – Blues Blast Music Awards This Weekend, Bob’s Upcoming Birthday Bash, Tail Dragger Remembered And More
Blues Blast Music Awards this weekend in Peoria Illinois!
The blues community gathers in Peoria, Illinois this weekend for The Blues Blast Music Awards. Each year Blues Blast Magazine presents a reflection of the wonderful achievements and releases of the community. These awards are often referred to as “The people’s awards because voting is open to all.” The votes have all been cast and the winners will be announced on Saturday! This year the event has expanded to two days with a Friday benefit concert and Saturday’s awards ceremony. There’s a stellar lineup of performers on both of these days. Bob Corritore received six nominations in 5 categories this year and will be performing at this event! We hope to see you this weekend! For more info go to www.thebbmas.com.
Bob Corritore’s Chicago Blues Birthday Bash, Friday, September 29 at Rhythm Room in Phoenix!
Please save the date for this event! The lineup is absolutely incredible! Artists will be flying in from all around the country for this amazing night! Advance tickets available at rhythmroom.com.
Looking forward to a very busy October.
Here are posters for the upcoming October shows and tour! FYI Bob will be playing the King Biscuit Blues Festival on Friday, October 6, 5:35 with the Andy T Band featuring Zac Harmon.
RIP Tail Dragger. September 30, 1940 – September 4, 2023.
It’s hard to say goodbye to somebody who has been a constant presence in the Chicago blue scene for many decades. James Yancey Jones, also known as Tail Dragger performed his heavy duty, Howlin’ Wolf inspired blues around Chicago and around the world since the 1970s. His band was also a training ground for so many aspiring artists who came to know the real Blues by playing with this master. He was a fun-loving, rowdy-making character with a rough exterior, an outspoken persona, a kind and loyal friend, and a street-wise teacher. Bob Corritore first met Tail Dragger in 1976, the day after Howlin’ Wolf died. All of the musicians that loved Howlin’ Wolf gathered at the club that Wolf used to play at on the West Side – Eddie Shaw’s 1815 club. Bob Corritore did not realize at that moment that this larger than life character would become a lifelong friend and they made recordings together, toured all over the world and shared many smiles. This was not an exclusive situation in any way, because Tail Dragger made friends and musical associates wherever he went. But when you were in with Tail Dragger, you became part of his entrusted team. Here are a selection of photos from Bob’s collection of some really great times had. He will be greatly missed and there is nobody that could possibly ever replace him.
August 30, 2023 – Phoenix Rhythm Room Gig This Friday! Upcoming Shows!
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band appear Friday at the Rhythm Room!
The stellar lineup includes Jimi, Bob, Brian Fahey, Yahni Riley, and Johnny Rapp! If you are in Phoenix and enjoy your blues Chicago style, please come on down! For more information: rhythmroom.com.
Thank you, Edmonton Blues Festival!
Much appreciation to Cam Hayden and the Edmonton Blues Festival for including John Primer and Bob Corritore with a great veteran band of Bob Stroger, Jimi Primetime, Smith, Anthony Geraci, and Wes Starr! It was an honor to represent the Chicago blues sound at this beautiful festival in Canada! Here are some cool photos from Saturday at the Fest:
Posters for a few upcoming shows!
For a full schedule go to bobcorritore.com/performances. More announcements soon!
John Primer & Bob Corritore October California Tour!
October 18th OLD TOWN BLUES CLUB-Temecula, CA
https://old-town-blues-club.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
October 19th CANTARA CELLARS-Carmarillo, CA
Events
October 21st MATT DENNY’S ALE HOUSE – Arcadia, CA
October 22nd MALAINEY’S GRILL – Long Beach, CA
October 23rd MAUI SUGAR MILL SALOON – Tarzania, CA
https://tockify.com/sugarmillsaloon/pinboard
October 25th THE STARLET ROOM, Sacramento, CA
October 26th BUCKINGHAM CLUB HOUSE – Kelseyville, CA
October 27 & 28 HIGH HAND – Loomis, CA
https://www.highhandnursery.com
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT ONE OF OUR SHOWS!
COME STOP BY THE MERCH TABLE AND SAY HI
August 24, 2023 – Edmonton Blues Festival This Weekend!
Bob Corritore reunites with the legendary John Primer for a show Saturday at the Edmonton Blues Festival in Canada! And the rest of the band will also be All-Stars with Bob Stroger, Jimi Primetime Smith, Anthony Geraci, and Wes Starr! The entire festival is going to be pretty incredible! Look at the spectacular festival lineup on the poster!
August 17, 2023 – Last Chance! Voting Closes Tomorrow For The 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards!
We encourage everyone to vote for the Blues Blast Music Awards. Voting is free and open to the general public! Friday, August 18 is the final day for voting. You may vote by going to www.bluesblastmagazine.com. Bob Corritore feels blessed that he has received six nominations:
Traditional Blues Album
⋆ Jimi “Prime Time” Smith & Bob Corritore – The World In A Jug
Acoustic Blues Album
⋆ Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore – So Far
Historical Or Vintage Recording
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – High Rise
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – Women In Blues Showcase
Producer Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Harmonica Player Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Winners will be announced at the 16th Annual Blues Blast Music Awards held September 23, 2023 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria, IL. Thank you!
August 8, 2023 – Rhythm Room Appearance On Saturday, Pre-order Bob‘s New Release, Blues Blast Awards And More!
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band bring their deep Chicago Blues roots to the Rhythm Room in Phoenix this Saturday!
📣 VizzTone is very proud to announce the new album SOMEBODY PUT BAD LUCK ON ME from Bob Corritore is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW! Release date 09/29/23.
Link for downloads: https://ffm.to/bcsomebody
Link to pre-order the CD on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1UcaCAv
Bob Corritore’s latest masterpiece collection of newly recorded songs featuring a spectacular offering of top blues artists on the scene today. Bob’s brilliant harmonica work is the connecting thread, effortlessly tying together a great variety of blues styles and always serving the song.
Unlike Corritore’s “From the Vaults” series albums, these are all freshly recorded tracks, and they reflect the diverse richness of today’s blues world. Guest vocalists shine, and Corritore’s production touch brings out different and extra cool aspects of each artist’s performance. Listening to this album is like going to an awesome blues festival filled with one heartfelt performance after another.
The first single, “Good As It Gets” features blues icon and Grammy winner Bobby Rush. Co-produced by Bob Corritore and Clarke Rigsby, the lineup includes drum legend Steve Ferrone, organist Chester Thompson, and guitarists Dexter Allen and Jimi “Primetime” Smith, delivering a powerful and funky groove for vocalist Rush to work with. Harmonica ace Corritore sparsely teases his way around the vocals until it’s time to explode for the solo.
The amazing list of featured vocalists includes Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Francine Reed, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Diunna Greenleaf, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Willie Buck, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell. In addition to the vocalists, this album features some of today’s best blues intrumentalists, including Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, Dave Keyes, Doug James, Johnny Main, Johny Rapp, Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy, Troy Sandow, Mike King, Brian Fahey, June Core, Steven Hodges, Wes Starr and more.
To see the complete artwork by Vince Ray and all of the beautiful panels, click here.
Voting is going on right now for the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards!
Voting is open to the general public and we encourage everyone to let their voice be heard. You may vote by going to http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com. Bob Corritore feels blessed that he has received six nominations:
Traditional Blues Album
⋆ Jimi “Prime Time” Smith & Bob Corritore – The World In A Jug
Acoustic Blues Album
⋆ Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore – So Far
Historical Or Vintage Recording
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – High Rise
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – Women In Blues Showcase
Producer Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Harmonica Player Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
The 16th Annual Blues Blast Music Awards will be held September 23, 2023 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria, IL. Voting starts Saturday July 1, 2023 and continues at bluesblastmagazine.com until August 18. Voting is free and open to everyone.
Willow Springs Blues Festival photos!
Thank you very much to the Windy City Blues Society and to Willow Springs for presenting the Willow Springs Blues Festival and for having Bob Corritore’s Reunion Review set in the program. This set included Bob, John Primer, Bob Stroger, Kenny Smith, Oscar Wilson, Billy Flynn, Willie Buck, and Tail Dragger. As you could imagine it was a very powerful set! Thank you also to Billy Branch who had Bob join him on his encore for a number. Here are some nice photographs from the event provided by photographers Robin Zimmerman, Howard Greenblatt, Kurt Foor, and Kurt Swanson!
July 28, 2023 – Chicago Area Appearance On Saturday, Bob’s Birthday Party Announced, Blues Blast Awards!
Willow Springs Blues Festival this Saturday!
Bob Corritore’s Reunion Review set starts at 5:25 and goes 90 minutes until 6:55. Get all the details here.
Bob Corritore’s Chicago Blues Birthday Party announced! Save the date!
Vote now for the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards!
Voting is going on right now and is open to the general public. We encourage everyone to let their voice be heard. You may vote by going to www.bluesblastmagazine.com.
Bob Corritore has received six nominations:
Traditional Blues Album
⋆ Jimi “Prime Time” Smith & Bob Corritore – The World in a Jug
Acoustic Blues Album
⋆ Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore – So Far
Historical Or Vintage Recording
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – High Rise
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – Women in Blues Showcase
Producer Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Harmonica Player Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Winners will be announced at the 16th Annual Blues Blast Music Awards, held September 23, 2023 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria, IL. Voting will close on August 18.
Voting is free and open to everyone.
July 20, 2023 – Performance At Rhythm Room On Saturday, Blues Blast Music Awards And More!
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band perform Saturday at the Rhythm Room!
The band includes Jimi, Bob, Brian Fahey, Yahni Riley, and Johnny Rapp! This will be a Chicago Blues throwdown!
Voring is going on right now for the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards!
Voting is open to the general public and we encourage everyone to let their voice be heard. You may vote by going to www.bluesblastmagazine.com. Bob Corritore feels blessed that he has received six nominations:
Traditional Blues Album
⋆ Jimi “Prime Time” Smith & Bob Corritore – The World In A Jug
Acoustic Blues Album
⋆ Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore – So Far
Historical Or Vintage Recording
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – High Rise
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – Women In Blues Showcase
Producer Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Harmonica Player Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
The 16th Annual Blues Blast Music Awards will be held September 23, 2023 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria, IL. Voting starts Saturday July 1, 2023 and continues bluesblastmagazine.com/2023-blues-blast-music-award-nominees until August 18. Voting is free and open to everyone.
Congratulations to Jimi Primetime Smith for winning a Living Blues Award for Comeback Artist Of The Year! So deserved!
Save the date Chicago!
Great time at Cahors Blues Festival in France!
A great honor to be part of the Big Blues Bender night! It was a pretty amazing revue with lots of great players and friendship! Please enjoy these photos!
July 11, 2023 – Cahors Fest In France This Saturday, Vote In Blues Blast Music Awards And More!
Bob Margolin and Bob Corritore travel to France to perform on Saturday at the Cahors Blues Festival!
They will be part of a very special Big Blues Bender Night on Saturday with host band Jimmy Carpender & The Bender Brass! This revue will also include Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers (sub for Mike Zito), Nick Schnebelen, & Terri Odabi!
Other July shows!
Please vote now in the Blues Blast Music Awards.
Voting is free, simple, and open to all! Bob Corritore has a total of six nominations!
Vote now at bluesblastmagazine.com
July 1, 2023 – Blues Blast Music Awards Voting Has Begun! Vote Today
Today is the very first day of voting for the 2023 Blues Blast Music Awards! Voting is open to the general public and we encourage everyone to let their voice be heard. You may vote by going to www.bluesblastmagazine.com. Bob Corritore feels blessed that he has received six nominations:
Traditional Blues Album
⋆ Jimi “Prime Time” Smith & Bob Corritore – The World in a Jug
Acoustic Blues Album
⋆ Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore – So Far
Historical Or Vintage Recording
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – High Rise
⋆ Bob Corritore & Friends – Women in Blues Showcase
Producer Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
Harmonica Player Of The Year
⋆ Bob Corritore
The 16th Annual Blues Blast Music Awards will be held September 23, 2023 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria, IL. Voting starts Saturday July 1, 2023 and continues bluesblastmagazine.com/2023-blues-blast-music-award-nominees until August 18. Voting is free and open to everyone.
June 22, 2023 – Bob Receives 6 Nominations For Blues Blast Music Awards, Rhythm Room On Saturday, And More!
Just announced! Bob Corritore receives six nominations for Blues Blast Music Awards! Having this unbelievable recognition is both very gratifying and humbling. Thank you to all the nominators! Thank you VizzTone Label Group and BratGirl Media! Online voting begins on July 1 at www.bluesblastmagazine.com.
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band play Saturday at the Rhythm Room!
A great time at the B.B Blues Festival in Portugal! A special thanks to Rui and Dulio for bringing John Primer & Bob Corritore to share their brand of Chicago Blues last week with the people of Moita, Portugal. We share some photos from the trip.
June 14, 2023 – Living Blues Awards Voting Ends Thursday, Portugal This Week, High Rise Blues
Voting for the Living Blues Awards ends Thursday.
We just wanted to remind you that the polls close on June 15th, and anyone can vote! Bob Corritore is nominated in 2 categories! Just visit www.livingblues.com and click on the “Vote” button.
John Primer and Bob Corritore play the BB Blues Festival in Moita, Portugal this weekend!
They will joined by the Portuguese rhythm section of Hugo Ganhão (bass) and Isaac Achega (drums). John and Bob look forward to bringing their brand of Chicago blues to this beautiful country. They perform both Friday and Sunday at the festival.
High Rise Blues get a spectacular media reaction!
It’s part of Bob Corritore’s “FROM THE VAULTS” series and features all previously unreleased Chicago blues by some of its greatest masters: This album covers 30 years of recordings, from 1992 until 2022. Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Koko Taylor, Magic Slim, Sam Lay, Pinetop Perkins, Chico Chism, Luther Tucker, John Brim, Eddy Clearwater, John Primer, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Lil’ Ed, Bob Reidy, Manuel Arrington, and Eddie Taylor Jr. all have features in this collection! To download or stream click here, https://ffm.to/hirisepre or for a CD on Amazon, click here. Check out the recent reviews by clicking here.
Attention, PHOENIX! Mark your calendars. Save the date.
Attention, Chicagoans! July 29 is the Willow Springs Blues Fest!
Check out the great lineup! Thank you, Windy City Blues Society. Bob Corritore is very excited to reunite with many of his longtime friends to perform in his old stomping grounds!
June 1, 2023 – High Rise Blues, Sweden Recap, BB Blues Festival
High Rise Blues, a collection of Chicago Blues from Bob Corritore’s From The Vaults series is out now!
It’s almost impossible to imagine an album of all previously unreleased Chicago blues by some of its greatest masters being released in 2023! This album covers 30 years of recordings, from 1992 until 2022. Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Koko Taylor, Magic Slim, Sam Lay, Pinetop Perkins, Chico Chism, Luther Tucker, John Brim, Eddy Clearwater, John Primer, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Lil’ Ed, Bob Reidy, Manuel Arrington, and Eddie Taylor Jr. all have features in this collection! To download or stream click here, https://ffm.to/hirisepre or for a CD on Amazon, click here.
This album is just begining to see some media reaction which has been great!
Please check out this great article in Blues 21: https://www.blues21.com/bob-corritore-friends
And please enjoy the first reviews which we have posted here: https://bobcorritore.com/music/reviews/bob-corritore-friends-high-rise-blues/
And a few other accolades:
Bob Corritore feature interview for Everyone Loves Guitar with Craig Garber.
To enjoy this in depth interview click here. https://elg.fun/bcorritore
Mönsterås Blues Festival Reflections!
Thank you Mönsterås Blues Festival in Sweden for a spectacular and magical time. Bob Corritore organized a caravan of top-notch blues artists to come and perform three distinctly different sets. Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Wes Starr, James Jamalot Anderson, and Bob Corritore made up the entourage. On Friday it was a Thornetta Davis set and Saturday a Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore set followed by a John Primer set. We feel that the audience, the festival organizers, and all of us musicians walked away with a big smile. Each of these three sets was magical. Here are a few photos from this trip:
Next Gig is The BB Blues Festival with John Primer in Portugal!
May 18, 2023 – Tucson On Friday, Phoenix On Saturday, And Sweden Next Week. Photos From Luxemberg, Belgium And The Netherlands. RIP Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry.
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band play Tucson on Friday and Phoenix on Saturday!
Bringing an all-star blues caravan to Sweden next week with John Primer, Thornetta Davis, Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob, Corritore, Bob, Stroger, Wes Starr, Anthony Geraci, James Anderson.
There will be a set fearurng Thornetta on Friday, Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore and then a set by John Primer on Saturday! Really looking forward!
John Primer and Bob Corritore play Portugal next month!
We are very excited to play the BB Blues Festival in Moita, Portugal!
Here are some photos from the tour of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxemberg.
This amazing Chicago-based anthology will be released on May 26!
This is the eighth album on BOB CORRITORE’s FROM THE VAULTS SERIES. All previously unreleased material, and check out the All-Star lineup!
Rest In Peace Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry, 1947-2023. A great blues musician, a great soul, a great family man, a great friend. You are missed.
May 1, 2023 – European Tour This Week! Blues Music Awards, And More!
Euro tour this week with stops in the Netherlands Belgium and Luxenberg!
The Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band with special guests Tail Dagger & Johnny Burgin take ther show on the road to these stops:
05/04/23: Luxembourg – Sang a Klang Blues Club www.bluesclub.lu
05/05/23: Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium – Hnita Jazz Club, hnitajazzclub.be
05/06/23: Moulin Blues Festival. www.moulinblues.nl
05/07/23: Dongen, Netherlands – De Gouden Leeuw. www.blues Dongen.nl
05/08/23: Ruiselede, Belgium – Banana Peel. www.bananapeel.be
Hall Of Fame Induction and Blues Music Awards in Memphis on May 10 and 11.
Bob Corritore and Johnny Burgin will fly directly from the euro tour to Memphis to enjoy the Blues Foundation’s wonderful celebrations! It will be spectacular to see John Primer be inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame. Bob Corritore is nominated in two categories for Blues Music Awards! But the best thing about these events will be the sense of community as the blues world gathers to reflect on accomplishments past and present!
A few cool photos from John Primer’s trip to Phoenix!
In addition to fun and friendship, there was a wonderful gig at the Rhythm Room and a spectacular recording session. Look for a 2024 album called John Primer & Bob Corritore/Crawlin’ Kingsnake! And thank you, Rocco and Marilyn for the amazing home-cooked Italian meal the night before the gig!
Here are some posters of upcoming gigs!
Women In Blues Showcase album gets great reception!
This album is part of Bob Corritore’s “From The Vaults” series and it has been getting lots of love. It’s now available wherever music is sold! Check out the initial reviews by clicking here.
JUST ANNOUNCED! Chicago blues themed “From The Vaults” CD to be released May 26!
The name of the new album is High-Rise Blues and it’s a treasure chest of 14 previously unrealeased songs recorded over a 30 year period! The lineup features some of greatest legends of Chicago blues: Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Koko Taylor, Magic Slim, Sam Lay, Pinetop Perkins, Chico Chism, Luther Tucker, John Brim, Eddy Clearwater, John Primer, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Lil’ Ed, Bob Reidy, Manuel Arrington, and Eddie Taylor Jr,
To preorder this album: https://ffm.to/hirisepre
Living Blues Awards Voting! Some more great news!
The nominations for the Living Blues Awards have been announced and Bob Corritore is nominated in two categories: Blues Artist Of The Year (Male) and Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)! Voting is open to the general public and you can vote right now by clicking here. Votes must be by June 15. We are happy to see so many of our friends also nominated. A special shout out to John Primer who is nominated in four categories!
April 19, 2023 – Phoenix Performance This Weekend, Plus Reviews And Airplay Charts!
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band appear Saturday, April 22 at the Rhythm Room!
Attention Phoenix! Some real Chicago Blues is happening Saturday night! Showtime is 8 PM! See you there! Click here for tickets.
Great media reaction to the first two vaults releases of 2023!
Thank you for all of the great support for Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore/The World In A Jug and Bob Corritore & Friends/Women In Blues Showcase! Check out these wonderful reviews for Jug (click here) and Women In Blues (click here). It was really great to see them both simultaneously on last months Living Blues Radio Chart!
April 1, 2023 – Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore Play Oro Valley, AZ On Tuesday
This Tuesday, April 4, Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore go to Oro Valley (close by Tucson) to play the Gaslight Music Hall as guests of the great Tucson band, Bad News Blues. Jimi and Bob will open up with a duet set, the Bad News Blues do a set and then they call Jimi and Bob up to join the band for the last segment.
Out now! Women In Blues Showcase! Available wherever music is sold!
March 27, 2023 – John Primer And Bob Corritore Reunite Friday For A Show At The Rhythm Room And More!
John Primer/Bob Corritore All-Star Blues Revue this Friday at the Rhythm Room!
For those able to get to Phoenix, Arizona on Friday night, the Rhythm Room presents the John Primer/Bob Corritore All-Star Blues Revue with John, Bob, Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, and Wes Starr! The doors open at 7 PM with an 8 PM show. For more information, and to buy advance tickets, go to www.rhythmroom.com.
Chicago Blues Master, John Primer to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame!
Is there anyone that has paid more dues than John Primer? Born and raised in rural Camden, Mississippi before moving to Chicago and working in the house band at Theresa’s Lounge backing Junior Wells and James Cotton. Then working in the touring bands of Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Magic Slim & The Teardrops. Working as a talent scout and session coordinator for Wolf Records on countless sessions. Then launching a brilliant solo career with numerous records of high praise, and amazing awards, and nominations. All the while John Primer has never strayed from the pure Chicago blues! We are happy to see this blues master receive his due! Congratulations! Other inductees this year will be Carey Bell, Snooky Pryor, Junior Kimbrough, Esther Phillips, Fenton, Robinson, and Josh White. For more information go to the Blues Foundation website, www.blues.org.
Bob Corritore & Friends/Women In Blues Showcase released this Friday.
This next installment of Bob Corritore’s From The Vaults series (now #7!) features a wonderful list of female vocalists both legendary and younger, performing a powerful program of heartfelt blues and roots! Many of these performances have not been released before. The album will release on Friday, March 31 and will be available wherever music is sold! To see the beautiful artwork by Jimi Giannatti with album information, click here.
Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore/World In A Jug continues to shine!
It’s exciting to see the acceptance of this very cool record, especially since Jimi and Bob work regularly together. The album was #2 in the Living Blues Radio Charts! Two songs from the album have been in strong rotation on SiriusXM Bluesville, and great reviews keep rolling in. To see the reviews that we’ve received so far, click here. Thank you everyone!
March 9, 2023 – Superstition Springs Blues Fest on Saturday, Switzerland Next Week, Next New Release And More!
Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band appear this Saturday at the Superstion Springs Blues Festival!
This festival features a great lineup of Arizona based talent! In addition to our band, the lineup also includes Eric Ramsey, Aaron McCall Band, J.C. & The Juke Rockers, and Bluesman Mike Anderson & The Blues Revue Band. The Primetime/Corritore set begins at 1:55 pm with Brian Fahey, Yahni Riley, and Johnny Rapp. Further information at superstitionbluesfest.com.
Bob Margolin & Bob Corritore to appear next week at Marian’s Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland!
From Tuesday, March 14 to Saturday, March 18, two shows per night and three on Saturday. More info at mariansjazzroom.ch
Jazz ‘N’ More Magazine has a feature Bob Corritore article in the March issue!
Thank you to writer Marco Pizzalonga! Here is the article!
New album from Bob Corritore’s “From The Vaults” Series coming soon!
Bob Corritore & Friends / Women In Blues Showcase to be released March 31st. The single with Koko Taylor is available right now!
American Blues Scene was so kind to debut the single!
𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍: New Bob Corritore & Friends Single ‘What Kind of Man is This’ ft. Koko Taylor! Click here.
𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬: https://ffm.to/epdp8d
This very special installment of Bob Corritore’s From The Vaults series features great recordings from spectacular blues women. It surveys a wide geographic and stylistic spectrum from powerhouses Barbara Lynn, Carol Fran, Koko Taylor, Francine Reed, Diunna Greenleaf, Valerie June, Shy Perry, and Aliya Primer (John Primer’s daughter). Bob Corritore has recorded all of these wonderful woman artists with great sensitivity to their stylistic and personal individuality! Behold a collection of spectacular, female voices, which collectively demonstrate both the undeniable power and empowering vulnerability of the feminine voice.
Jimi “Primetime” Smith & Bob Corritore are receiving a rousing response to their new album World In A Jug!
Jimi and Bob are thrilled by the reaction! SiriusXM has been playing the song “Love Her With A Feeling” in strong rotation. Cuts from the album have appeared on playlists all across the world! It seems like every day or so there’s another great review that pops up! Click here to see these reviews. And thanks for all the folks that came to the CD release party at the Rhythm Room! But mostly thank you for the love and acceptance of this musical offering!
Blues Music Award voting closes on March 20.
Bob Corritore has been nominated for two BMAs:
1) Traditional Blues Album for You Shocked Me
2) Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Bob is thrilled and honored by these nominations. And congratulations to all of the nominees in all the categories! To become a member, to vote, and to see all of the nominees go to blues.org.
February 21, 2023 – CD Release Party This Friday At The Rhythm Room In Phoenix!
Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore celebrate the release of their new album The World In A Jug, this Saturday, February 25 at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix Arizona! In the band will be Brian Fahey, Yahni Riley, and Johnny Rapp. Advance tickets available at www.rhythmroom.com.
Great Reaction to World In A Jug!
Jimi “Primetime” Smith and Bob Corritore are thrilled by the positive reaction to their new album. This was helped along tremendously by the Jimi “Primetime” Smith cover story in Living Blues Magazine. The support received so far has been exceptional! To see the great reviews received so far, click here. And here is a pictorial of some of the wonderful reaction:
February 10, 2023 – Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore / The World In A Jug Released Today!
Yes the new album is now available wherever music is sold! And some very positive reviews have already come in, which you can see by clicking here! Saturday, February 25, Jimi and Bob will have a CD release party at the Rhythm Room!
The Bobs Of The Blues play this Saturday in Tulsa!
Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, and Bob Corritore reunite to perform at our friend David Berntson’s birthday bash! Drummer Lance Womack will join us on this night! The show happens at Venue Shrine, 112 E. 18th Street. Doors open Saturday at seven with a 8 PM start time. The show is open to the public and it’s free admission!
Bob Corritore has been nominated for two Blues Music Awards, in the Harmonica category, and the other for Best Traditional Blues Album for You Shocked Me!
The awards ceremony takes place in Memphis in May where they will announce the winners! For more information and to vote go to www.blues.org.
January 24, 2023 – A Busy Week In Memphis! Next Week In Seattle! Week After In Tulsa
This week in Memphis:
Next Week in Seattle:
And the following week in Tulsa:
January 20, 2023 – Killer Show Tonight, BMA Voting, Japan Article
The 44’s Reloaded with Kid Ramos!
Bob Corritore joins an all-star cast of West Coast heavyweights tonight at the Rhythm Room!
Voting going on right now for the Blues Music Awards!
Bob Corritore is nominated in two categories: Harmonica and Traditional Blues Album. Voting is going on right now at www.blues.org.
Feature article from Japan! Very cool feature article from Japan!
Thank you Blues & Soul Records Magazine!
January 13, 2023 – Bob Receives Two Blues Music Award Nominations
The Blues Foundation announced it’s 2023 nominees for the Blues Music Awards! Bob Corritore is pleased to announce that he has been nominated in two categories: Best Instramentalist – Harmonica and Best Traditional Blues Album for Bob Corritore & Friends / You Shocked Me. Voting is exclusive to Blues Foundation members, but it’s very easy and inexpensive to sign up to become a member. You can go to blues.org to sign up! Voting has already begun!
In addition to Bob’s two nominations, it’s great to see his close associates and recording partners also be nominated: John Primer, Sugaray Rayford, Bob Stroger, Willie J. Campbell, Johnny Rawls, Diunna Greenleaf, Thornetta Davis, Anthony Geraci, Dave Keyes, Ben Levin, Bobby Rush, Janiva Magness, Kid Andersen, Kirk Fletcher, Johnny Burgin, Duke Robillard, Charlie Musselwhite, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Jimmy Carpenter, Billy Branch, Laura Chavez and more. But each nominee is part of our big blues family and congratulations to all!
The 44th Annual Blues Music Awards will be held in Memphis, Tennessee on Thursday, May 11, 2023 where the winners will be announced!
January 6, 2023 – Shows This Weekend, New Release, Primetime Smith Living Blues Cover and more
Two powerful shows this weekend on Saturday and Sunday!
Jimi “Primetime” Smith cover story in Living Blues Magazine!
Thank you to writer/interviewer Justin O’Brien, and editor Brett Bonner, for this amazing feature story. Thank you to photographer Marilyn Stringer for this wonderful cover shot! Jimi “Primetime“ Smith has quite a story to tell and Living Blues devotes 12 full pages to an amazing article complete with historic photos! Jimi’s mother is Johnnie Mae Dunson and Jimi was raised deep in the Chicago Blues Scene.
In case you are wondering where you saw that guitar before:
Jimi lent his guitar to Jimmy Reed for a photo shoot in the mid 1970s!
New CD to be released on Feb 10!
The long awaited Jimi “Primetime” Smith / Bob Corritore collaboration CD will be released next month on VizzTone Label Group/Southwest Musical Art Foundation Records! Cover photo by Bruce Charles and album graphics by Jimi Giannatti. Click here to pre-order.
In the last newsletter we left out a couple items in the 2022 recorded projects of Bob Corritore. So let’s do that again with a complete listing.
In addition to the four albums Bob put out in 2022, here are the six additional projects that he guested on last year! Three are albums, one is a children’s book which includes two songs that come with the book, one was an online EP, and one was a documentary film!
John Primer 2023 calendar!
John and his wife, Lisa always look out for Bob Corritore and they have photos of John and Bob on Bob’s birthday month of September! There are great photos throughout! You can pick up this calendar at Johnprimerblues.com
Bob Corritore - Official Website 