In 2025 the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway hired The John Primer & Bob Corritore All-Stars with Bob Stroger, Jimi Primetime Smith, Anthony Geraci and Wes Starr. Lisa Primer also joined in on the fun and served as the merch seller and road manager. This festival is one of the most celebrated of European festivals, and the entire town became a Blues town that week! Please enjoy these photos which reflect on a spectacular celebration of The Blues from the perspective of our experience there.
Bob Corritore, Jimi Primetime Smith, Anthony Geraci, Bob Stroger, Matthew Skoller, Harrell Davenport, John Primer, and Wes Starr. Photo in front of the mural wall by Lisa Primer.
The rhythm section of 94 year old Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums! Photo Harald Olsen.
The team that made it happen! Anthony Geraci, John Primer, Lisa Primer, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore, Wes Starr, Jimi Primetime Smith. A great band and all great traveling companions.
Writer and blues promoter Colin Campbell interviewed John Primer and Bob Corritore for Blues Matters Magazine while in Notodden. Here’s a photo of Bob and Colin after the interview.
John and Lisa Primer. Photo by Bob Corritore.
The Myrens Dam show. It was such an cool and unusual venue. Above you see the poster, then the empty venue during sound check, then the audience that was there to see us!
Bob Corritore and Jimmie Vaughan hanging out at the hospitality area.
Bob Stroger and John Primer on route to Notodden, Norway. Photo by Lisa Primer.
Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport playing a brilliant set on the Wednesday night of the festival. At 18 years old, this young man is already a fully formed Bluesman! Photo by Aigers Lapsa.
Our first performance was a workshop on the inner workings of a Chicago blues band. This waspart of the Little Steven’s Blues School and it was wonderful to see all of these young people attentively, enjoying our presentation! Photo Lisa Primer.
Branko Bergstrand and Bob Stroger before the Workshop set!
Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore with Bob Stroger in the background!
Super Chikan and John Primer! Photo by Lisa Primer.
One of the cool events at the festival was a panel discussion called “Talking Blues” hosted by Art Tipaldi. L-R: John Primer, Bob Stroger, Harrell Davenport, Bob Corritore, Art Tipaldi. This was one of numerous discussions held at the festival. Photo by Aigers Lapsa.
Sue Foley backstage before her slot on the Thursday show. Photo by Bob Corritore.
Bob Stroger with Festival chief Jostein Forsberg on Thursday night’s preview show.
Jimi Primetime Smith onstage at the Thursday show.
This was what the band saw right before the set on Thursday night! Anthony Geraci took this photo from the stage.
John Primer on stage on the Thursday night show! Photo Aigars Lapsa.
Bob Corritore gettin down on the harmonica on the Wednesday night show.
Dinner at the restaurant with Jimi Primetime Smith, Wes Starr, Anthony Geraci, Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore, John Primer, Lisa Primer.
Bob Corritore and Zydeco master Terrance Simien.
Pinetop Perkins as part of the huge Notodden Blues Festival mural. Photo by Bob Corritore.
This amazing microphone statue was erected in the heart of Notodden to honor the blues festival! Photo by Wes Starr.
Bob Stroger‘s 94 year-old hand. This photo was taken by Bob Corritore when the dinner conversation turned to rings.
Some friends who came to see the panel discussion! Photo by Bob Corritore.
Pinetop Perkins Workshop alumni at the Notodden Blues Festival.
Peaches Staten and Bob Stroger on the final night of the Notodden Blues Festival.
The band outside the hotel before one of the shows. Photo Lisa Primer.
Bob Corritore and festival chief Jostein Forsberg.
Our final performance at the Notodden Blues Festival. Bob Corritore, John Primer, Jimi Primetime Smith, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci. On stage but not visible is Wes Starr. Photo by Lisa Primer.
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