Blues and World Report with Matthew Skoller

On today’s episode of Blues and World Report I will be talking to one of the greatest Bluesmen of his (and my) generation: Mr. Lurrie Bell. Hailed as a wunderkind at a very early age Lurrie, the son of harmonica legend Carey Bell, ended up on the road with Koko Taylor at the tender age of 16 years old. You can hear Lurrie and I piece together the chronology of his dramatic life and Blues journey. In this two part conversation we will start with him moving from Chicago to down south, living with his grandparents and playing church music, to his heart wrenching battles with mental illness, homelessness and the loss of family. And ultimately his inveterate capacity to survive and thrive.   We also do some jamming together! Stay tuned…The following interview was recorded on August 31st 2021. This is a 100% listener supported show and your donations will make it possible for me to continue interviewing wonderful artists. Please donate at paypal.me/chicagowind

Master Chicago Blues drummer Kenny ‘Beedy Eyes’ Smith talks about being born into the Blues, his legendary father Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith (Muddy Waters drummer for over 15 years), growing up watching and hanging with the greatest Chicago Blues men and women in history, and his approach to his instrument. Listen to Kenny reminisce over some highlights of the past 30 years of touring the world as a Blues ambassador and the state of Blues music today. A true son of the Blues, born in the first house Muddy Waters ever bought in Chicago, Kenny opens up about his Blues journey. To keep more interviews coming please donate at:  Paypal.me/chicagowind , Venmo: @Matthew-Skoller

25 year old Acoustic/Country Blues phenom Jontavious Willis talks about his history, Blues history, his collaboration and admiration for his champions Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' and his deep love for his home and family in Greenville , Georgia. I interviewed Jontavious at The Logan Center for the Arts at The University of Chicago the day after he performed at the Logan Center Bluesfest where he opened for and jammed with Blues legend Bobby Rush. I am privileged to be the curator of this festival and will be interviewing more of the artists we featured this year in upcoming podcasts. Jontavious Willis is part of a new generation of African American musicians who are focused on continuing the tradition and legacy of their Blues elders and ancestors, his love for the music is intense and palpable. 

To keep more interviews coming please donate at: https://paypal.me/Chicagowind?locale.x=en_US , Venmo: @Matthew-Skoller

Legendary Blues Diva Deitra Farr talks about her beginnings as a child on the Southside of Chicago growing up listening to the musical smorgasbord that was the Chicago music scene. From going to the church where Thomas A. Dorsey, the Father of Gospel music led his choir to becoming immersed in the Chicago Blues scene. Starting out as an R&B/Soul singer at age 17 to being over-worked and underpaid in Chicago's grueling Blues clubs, Deitra tells it like it tee-eye-izzz!!! This is a listener supported podcast. To keep more interviews coming please donate at: https://paypal.me/Chicagowind?locale.x=en_US , Venmo: @Matthew-Skoller