Hi, I'm Neil Imrie and I've been a fan and player of the blues all my adult life.
I've travelled quite a bit and jammed and watched
blues in all sorts of places. I've met some great players and nice people doing this (truly unsung heroes). I have the following contributions:
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Joan Baby - Chicago
Joan Baby, a talented white bass player and excellent blues vocalist
has been playing the blues for over 20 years. She has worked with Chicago
bluesman such as Jimmie Mayes, Lefty Dizz, Jr. Wells, James Cotton and
John Primer. She has also worked with Vance Kelly, Billy Branch, Michael
Coleman and Koko Taylor.
The first time I met her was at a jam in Chicago in 1998. The
jam was convenient because she could go next door to the Laundromat to
wash her clothes as various people were having a blow. A great artist and
all-round nice lady of the blues, she has encouraged many blues musicians
over the years. Her website can be found at http:// www.joanbaby.com.
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Tadeusz Nalepa - Poland
People don't really think of Poland being a place for the blues.
But it is. Tadeusz Nalepa has been playing the blues since the sixties
in Poland and has inspired generations of players in Poland. Born in 1943,
he recorded his classic Polish blues album "Breakout" in 1967 and is the
undisputed "Father of Polish blues". He has released many albums since
and has a distinctive
vocal sound close the great Howling Wolf.
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Roberto Ciotti - Italy
Roberto Ciotti was born in 1953 and has worked with an impressive
list of international bluesmen including Brian Auger, Jerry Ricks,
Louisiana Red, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Willie Littlefield, Tommy Mandel (ex
Dire Straits) on keyboards, Andy Herman (ex John Cale band) and toured
for 2 years with Ginger Baker. He is a very tasteful guitarist and a very
pleasing blues vocalist and has written a number of successful film soundtracks.
The best place to see him play is Big Mamma's Blues Club in Rome. His website
can be found at http://www.robertociotti.com
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Colin Staples - Nottingham, England
Colin Staples has run an blues jam session for over 25 years in
Nottingham, England He has been running the jam at the "Running Horse"
pub in Nottingham for over 10 years. He has a great relaxed style
and has welcomed musicians from all over the world to his jam sessions.
Known as the "Grandfather of Nottingham Blues", he has consistently promoted
and encouraged blues and blues musicians most of his adult life.
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Peter Lavell - Amsterdam, Holland
Peter Lavell is a leading blues musician in Amsterdam running
jam sessions and playing gigs all over the city. In addition, he plays
gigs throughout the Netherlands. His famous jam at the Last Waterhole on
the edge of Amsterdam's famous red light district, is one not to be missed
if you are in Amsterdam on a Tuesday. A fine player and singer, he has
always welcomed
players from all over the world. He's a really nice guy! His
website can be found at http://www.peterlavell.com.
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Billy Chong - London, England
Billy is a bit mysterious. Nobody knows where he came from or
how old he is. But, he has led the longest running blues jam in London
at the "Globe" in Hackney for as long as anyone can remember. And, what
a jam! It has always been well attended by an array of seasoned and up-and-coming
musicians particularly brass players and, of course, guitarists! Billy
has some of the worst kit I've ever come across but he has provided a consistent
platform for blues musicians from all over.
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I hope some of this stuff helps.
Regards,
Neil Imrie
www.bluessential.co.uk
