E-Mail Newsletter - Archive
No.
Date
News
21 06/17/2004 Long Beach Blues Festival
Jimmy Dawkins is on the bill of the 25th Annual Long Beach Blues Festival which will be held in Long Beach, California. As usual, Billy Flynn and Jimi Schutte will accompany him. Check them out on September 4!
Link: Festival Homepage

Lucerne Blues Festival
Jimmy Dawkins will return to Europe for two gigs at the prestigous blues festival in Lucern, Switzerland. He will join Billy Flynn and The Flynnstones featuring Bob Stroger, Jimi Schutte and Nora Jean Bruso. Mark your calender for this rare opportunity, the dates are November 12 & 13.
Link: Festival Homepage

Ray Scott
It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of Ray Scott, former drummer of the Jimmy Dawkins Band. He died on May 27 in Chicago. Born 70 years ago in Mississippi, we all knew him for his unmistakable playing on Kant Sheck Dees Bluze, being the driving force on this now classic album of modern Chicago blues.
Link: Short Bio

1970s Chicago Blues
If you like to dig deep into 1970s Chicago Blues, have a look at this re-discovered album: American Blues Legends 79. It was recorded in August 1979 and appeared on Big Bear Records. The vocals are shared by Eddie C. Campbell, Chico Chism, Good Rockin' Charles, Billy The Kid Emerson, Little Smokey Smothers, and Lester Davenport. Jimmy Dawkins is featured on 8 tracks, adding some fine guitar lines.
Link: Album Info
20 02/12/2004 Tell Me Baby
Fedora Records has released the long-awaited, second album on February 3. It was recorded in Fresno (California) in July 2003. Jimmy was again backed by Frank Goldwasser, John Suhr, and Chris Millar (also producer). Rich Kirch is seen on rythm guitar. The CD runs about 56 minutes and comes with 9 new songs plus one instrumental. The sound is modern, straight and this time more rock-oriented. Dawkins' guitar is dominant and sounds very similar to his live shows, but is a little bit low on volume. His voice is husky as usual in recent times, sometimes he gets aggresive. The song selection includes West Side rythms, contemporary rock-oriented tunes, one boogie, one instrumental, one Chicago shuffle and three slow blues. My personal favorites are: "Mean O' Blues" and "Rumping 'N' Stomping" do not offer nothing new to the genre but are just tweo prime examples for Dawkins' phrasing and ad-lib lyrics, "Tired of Krying" where JD returns to blues rock, and "Hard Life Blues" which is in the same league as his classic "Me, my guitar and the blues".
Link: Hear snippets at Barns & Noble.com

Willie Black
It is with deep sadness that we have to report that bassist Willie Black died on October 17, 2003 of a heart attack. Born in Mississippi, he was a mainstay on the Chicago blues scene working for artists like Lacy Gibson, Willie Cobbs, Eddie C. Campbell and others. From 1956 through 1959 he played with Left Hand Frank, Eddie King and Jimmy Dawkins on a regularly basis, about the same time when Dawkins started his musical career and became a professional in late 1957. An obituary appeared in Living Blues #171.
19 09/23/2003 Texas Blues Alert
Next Saturday, September 27, JD returns to Texas and will appear as a headliner at the 3rd Annual SW Blues Heritage Fest, being held at J&J's Blues Bar in Fort Worth, TX (address: 937 Woodward, call 817-870-BEER). Music starts at 5pm. The lineup is: Tom "The Bluesman" Hunter, Henry Qualls, Jimmy Dawkins with Nick Laramie, Ray Sharpe, The Browntones featuring Hash Brown, Miss Blues, Christian Dozzler, Kenny Traylor Band, Watermelon Slim, KM Williams & Washboard Jackson, Chris Zalez Band, Miss Kim & the BTA Band, Mitchell T, Chris Ruest and Big Joe Blues Band.
Link: http://www.jjbluesbar.com

San Francisco Bay Blues
Many blues fans from the SF bay area caught a rare opportunity to see JD at 'Biscuits and Blues' (401 Mason St) on July 25. The band included Franck Goldwasser, Rich Kirch, RJ Mischo and other local musicians. In addition, JD was about to record a second album for the Fedora label.

From Chicago to Osaka
JD went to Japan and appeared at the 2nd Osaka-Chicago Blues Festival on July 12 & 13. His Delmark All Stars Blues Band included Carey Bell, Bonnie Lee, Rick Kreher, Bob Stroger, and Kenny Smith. The festival commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Osaka-Chicago sister city relationship. On July 11 the band did a show titled "Chicago Blues Night" at the renowned Osaka Imperial Hotel.

Chicago Blues Festival 2003
JD did a show with Nora Jean Bruso on June 1 (Front Porch Stage, 2:30pm). The band included Eddie Shaw, Willie Kent, James Wheeler, Billy Flynn, Rob Waters, Brian Lupo, and Jimi Schutte. Photos are now online.
18 04/22/2003 Wisconsin Blues Alert
This Friday, April 26, JD is going to play a rare local gig near Chicago. The venue will be the "Martini Steak House" in Trevor, southeastern Wisconsin (12417 Antioch Rd, Phone 262-862-9992). He's backed by Billy Flynn (g), Mike Flynn (b) and Jimi Schutte (dr).

The Delmark Golden All-Stars
Another rare opportunity to see JD at an intimate blues club (as far as one can call Legends "intimate") will be the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Delmark Records. Jimmy is headlining this event, he's accompanied by Willie Kent, Bonnie Lee, Shirley Johnson, Johnny B. Moore, Jimmy Burns, Tail Dragger and Little Arthur Duncan. The hard facts: Friday, May 9, 9PM - 1AM, Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL, 312-427-0333. Check back www.buddyguys.com for upcoming details.

In support for Nora Jean
The CD release party announced earlier has been postponed to June 20 (Friday) due to an obvious collision with the Delmark Celebration. Still the entire group is expected to be on hand for this one: Nora Jean, Jimmy Dawkins, Eddie Shaw, Willie Kent, James Wheeler, Billy Flynn, Rob Waters, Brian Lupo, and Jimi Schutte. Check back the website of Rosa's Lounge at http://www.rosaslounge.com for details/confirmation. Recently, Jimmy and Nora Jean shared the stage at the Illinois Central Blues Club Birthday Bash in Springfield, Illinois (March 14, Starship Billiards, 2301 Stevenson).
17 03/12/2003 "Nora Jean Bruso Sings The Blues"
The new (first) album by Nora Jean is out now. Though you won't find it at your local record store. So far it's available through her website only. There you can easily check out all the 16 songs in full length (Real Audio streams) and buy the CD directly from her. As reported in the last newsletter she's backed by an extended JD band. The result is exciting as the CD runs about 70 minutes full of modern, sometimes funky Chicago blues (watch out for the dominant Hammond B3). The songs are a mixture of new (or to me yet unknown) soul-influenced material (highlights: "If That's What You Wanna Do" & "Member's Only") and standards that you will hear at most Chicago blues clubs these days (e.g. "Killing Floor", "All Your Love" with horns). Another gem is a new version of "Kant Shak Dez Bluz" that not only comes in a different spelling but arrangement also, since it's mutated into an incredible duet with great singing by Nora and Jimmy as well, who really shows everything he got. The official CD release party is scheduled for May 9th down at Rosa's (in Chicago). If you got a chance then get there, cause the entire group will be on hand for this one: Nora Jean, Jimmy Dawkins, Eddie Shaw, Willie Kent, James Wheeler, Billy Flynn, Rob Waters, Brian Lupo, and Jimi Schutte. More shows are to come, check back her website.
Link: http://www.norajeanblues.com
16 02/15/2003 Leric Music signs the Jackson Southernaires
Leric Music, Inc. has signed "THE JACKSON SOUTHERNAIRES" - with all rights to all publicity/privacy, exclusive in all matters. This world-famous gospel quartet got a history of more than 60 years. They have recorded countless albums for Malaco Records. Their featured singer is Huey Williams for years now. They are looking for a record contract and world tours, especially Europe. There's a chance that we will see them in the same lineup with a Jimmy Dawkins Band, since we all know that Jimmy always loves gospel music.
Link: http://www.shopmalaco.com/gospel/The_Jackson_Southernaires.html

Nora Jean
Nora Jean (Bruso) has recorded her first solo album at Soto Sound Studio this past winter. Backed by the Jimmy Dawkins Band of the Chicago Blues Festival 2002 (w/ JD, Billy Flynn, Rob Waters, Eddie Shaw, Jimi Schutte) plus Willie Kent, James Wheeler & Brian Lupo they cut 17 songs in 8 hours. Check out her new website for the upcoming CD titled "Nora Jean Sings the Blues". She's been a featured singer in Dawkins' band since the mid-80s and appeared both on JSP and Earwig as well as on a Leric single. I've had the pleasure to see her giving a couple of tunes at Lee's Unleaded last year. The highlight was her version of 'Loving You is Wrong' that grabbed the crowd completely - Soul-blues at its best.
Link: http://www.norajeanblues.com
Link: http://www.joes-corner.de/chicago2002/chicago2002_06_22.jpg
15 10/12/2002 About Friendship
Delmark has finally announced the release date of Lester Davenport's new album. As reported, Jimmy produced it in the summer of 2001. The line-up is promising, actually it's the Jimmy Dawkins Band. Here is Bob's official statement: "I Smell A Rat is the product of a friendship that developed more than three decades ago between two men who, although they grew up near the same Mississippi Delta town of Tchula, never met until they began living in Chicago. Lester Davenport (vocals and harmonica) and Jimmy Dawkins (guitar and producer) are united professionally after years of running around the city's West Side. Drop in I Smell A Rat, Lester Davenport's vibrant, rocking West Side neighborhood for awhile. It's a magical place where blues giants like Jimmy Dawkins, Bob Stroger, Detroit Jr. - and the "Mad Dog" himself - still roam. Twelve originals, seventy minutes of West Side Chicago blues."
Link: www.delmark.com

Recent European Tour
You can find many photos from 'Blues in Meudon' on various websites. For example ...
Link: http://www.argyro.net/amap/meudon2002.html

A change must come
I've spend some time on a new web design. Hope you'll like it.
14 06/13/2002 Photos from Chicago
Now 40 new photos are online, taken at Jimmy's two recent gigs in Chicago. Drummer Jimi Schutte wasn't inactive, too: On his website you'll find 33 photos, including some nice backstage shots.
Link: www.joes-corner.de/dawkins
Link: www.gymshoe.com/bluesfest2002
13 06/08/2002 Chicago I
Jimmy Dawkins played an 1-hour set at the Chicago Blues Festival on Sunday, June 2. His all-star band had Billy Flynn, Rich Kirch and Keith Scott on rhythm guitar, Eddie Shaw & Maurice John Vaughn (sax), Jimi Schutte (dr) plus keys and bass. Nora Jean was seen as guest on 'Big Boss Man' and 'Breaking Up Somebody's Home'; Billy Flynn opened the show on vocals, followed by Jimmy giving 'Luv Sumbody', 'Feel So Bad', 'I Ain't Got It', 'Ode To Billy Joe', and 'Going Down'. A full report and photos will be online soon.

Chicago II
On Sunday night Jimmy and his band went to an afterfest show at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted where the Rockin' Johnny Band and Tail Dragger played in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. Jimmy did a couple of tunes including 'Easy Baby'. A full report and photos will be online soon.

Chicago III
Unfortunately, the Saturday show at the HotHouse had been cancelled shortly.

Europe
This week Jimmy went to Europe where he's gonna play some clubs and fests to promote his new CD. He is backed by the Fedora house band - Dave Riley, Franck Goldwasser, Chris Millar. The dates are (so far):
June 8: 'Muehle Hunzingen', Rubigen (near Bern), Switzerland
June 9: 'Soldatenstube Magletsch', Switzerland
June 12: 'Bourbon Street', Bordeaux, France
June 13: 'Bourbon Street', Bordeaux, France
June 15: 'Blues in Meudon', Meudon, France
12 05/22/2002 Chicago Blues Festival Ahead
Just a reminder: Jimmy plays the Petrillo Music Shell on Sunday (June 2). His band features Billy Flynn & Rich Kirch on guitar, Eddie Shaw & Abb Locke on sax, and Allan Batts on keys. Also don't forget his special set at the HotHouse the night before.
Link: CBF 2002 (Official Site)
Link: HotHouse

Kansas Blues Festival
It's festival season. This time in Salina, Kansas. July 19-20. First, Jimmy joins the Chicago Blues All-Stars including Hubert Sumlin, Sugar Blue, Big Time Sarah, Joanna Connor, Jimi Schutte, Billy Flynn, and others on Friday. Second, his band headlines on Saturday at 8:30pm.
Link: Festival Site

90s Compilation
Ichiban has released a 10-track compilation of Jimmy's Atlanta work. It's the right start for those who don't know his strong and sometimes blues-rock drenched 90s work, though I highly recommend to get all three original CDs. The songs selection is very good, but not perfect. Some personal remarks: I would add 'You Got It, Baby' from 'B Phur Real', 'Back Street Blues' from 'Me, My Gitar & The Blues' and replace 'Know Your Lover' by 'Driftin Sand' from 'Blues And Pain'.
Link: CD Info
11 04/27/2002 Dallas
Jimmy is part of the Mega Star Jam at the 2nd Annual Southwest Blues Fest. Artists: Henry Qualls, Lee McBee, Chuck Rainey, Hash Brown, and many more.
Sunday, May 12. Sons of Hermann Hall.
Link: Southwest Blues Fest

Chicago I
Jimmy returns to the Chicago Blues Festival.
Sunday, June 2. Petrillo Music Shell, Grant Park.
Link: CBF 2002 (Official Site)

Chicago II
You have the chance to catch Jimmy in an intimate club setting the night before: American Legends is organizing a Blues Fest Afterset at the HotHouse - just one block from Grant Park. Jimmy joins Little Smokey Smothers, Byther Smith and David Honeyboy Edwards in a CHICAGO BLUES GUITAR LEGENDS lineup. Music starts at 10 pm. Tickets are $15.
Saturday, June 1. HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo.
Link: HotHouse
10 03/21/2002 West Side Guitar Hero
Fedora Records has released the new album on February 26. It was recorded in Fresno (California) in October 2001. Jimmy was backed by the label's house band of Frank Goldwasser, John Suhr, Henry Oden, and Chris Millar (also producer). He wrote nine new songs plus two instrumentals. The sound is modern, straight and sometimes even funky. No blues rock. The guitar is dominant as ever & his voice is strong, too. I'm gonna give you a brief summary, IMHO:
1) Alley Mae: The album starts right off with a hot meal. The ingredients are a funky riff, a fat organ and a pumping bass. Watch out for the unexpected end!
2) Jammin' Gitar: Instrumental in a rumba (?) style. Not my cup of tea.
3) Go On Baby: A nice ballade, interesting rythm guitar. Good work.
4) I'm What U Need: Never heard Dawkins so optimistic. This song got very much soul. To all the DJs: Why don't you play this tune on your mainstream radio stations? The people would like it and ask for more.
5) Sweet Li'l Mama: A slow blues, no highlights.
6) Everybody's Jumping: The only Chicago shuffle sees the band grooving like hell. Though the message is: "We ain't drinkin no whiskey, we don't need no beer or wine."
7) Dollar Head Woman: Right from the intro this perfect track offers the real, often heard but still stunning West Side sound. Both Jimmy's singing and phrasing are agressive and to the point. The band follows him on the same high level. We need more of this.
8) Wess Cide Rock: The second instrumental is faster and its aim is to the skills of the musicians.
9) Shee Leff Me: Another slow blues. Strong singing.
10) So Wurrid: Jimmy comments on the tragedy of September 11, and finds the right words.
11) U Made Me Luv U: Very Funky. We didn't hear this on his 90s records too often.
Link: Fedora Records

New Booking Agency
Fresno-based Blues Farm Management has added Jimmy Dawkins to their roster of artists. Let's hope we will see him playing more festivals and clubs this year.
Contact: Blues Farm Management, 3840 N. Forestiere Fresno, CA, USA
Link: Blues Farm Management
9 01/17/2002 Down Under
Jimmy headlines the 9th Thredbo Blues Festival in Thredbo Alpine Village (Australia) this weekend. On Saturday & Sunday he will play at two different venues. The backing is provided by a local band. For more information check out the Festival Web site:
9th Thredbo Blues Festival

Sound of the West Side
Storyville has re-released Jimmy Johnson's MCM album "Ma Bea's Rock". It was recorded with Dawkins' band in October 1975. The CD comes with six bonus tracks, Jimmy is featured on two of them (on nine at all).
8 12/19/2001 Delmark Revisited
Jimmy has produced the new album of fellow harp player Lester Davenport. Recording sessions were held at Delmark Recording Studio in Chicago on two days. The band included Billy Flynn and Jimi Schutte. On keys were Detroit Jr. (1st day) and Allen Batts (2nd day), on bass guitar Bob Stroger respectively Sho Komiya. Second day saw Jimmy on lead guitar as well. The album will be released in the middle of next year, but no official release date as of yet. What I've heard (only by words) so far is that we can expect some great work & playing.
For the present Jimi Schutte was so kind to provide a photo from the session: Jimmy & Band

New Album
Jimmy recorded a new album in Fresno (California). It will be out on Fedora next year.
7 08/08/2001 Here's one more date
September 14/15, 'Brownsville Blues Festival', Brownsville, Tennessee
Check out www.brownsville-haywoodtn.com/blues for details/confirmation.

New Photos
Photos from Jimmy's show at the 'Firefly Club' in Ann Arbor are online:
www.fireflyclub.com/gallery_band/dawkins.htm
Jimmy had Billy Flynn on guitar, Willie Black on bass and Jimi Schutte on drums.
6 06/25/2001 Here's one more date
June 28 (this Thursday) at 'Firefly Club', Ann Arbor, Michigan. See also www.fireflyclub.com.

New Album
'Jimmy will be in the studio next month for a Sept-Oct release. You should start to see Jimmy playing more festivals and gigs in the upcoming year.' (Source: Blues-L)
5 05/24/2001 Next Tour
The next tour is scheduled for mid June. So far I know of only one show: June 9 (Saturday) at 'Blues on Grand', Des Moines, Iowa. See also www.bluesongrand.com. More dates will follow.

Last Tour
The Texas tour went very well. Jimmy had Nick Laramie on 2nd guitar, Ronnie Bramhall on keys, and Jim Schutte on drums.

From the Editor
I'll be in Chicago during the Blues Fest. Any suggestions are welcomed. CU at Grand Park and the clubs :-)
4 03/14/2001 Texas Tour (with Jim Schutte on drums)
- March 16th: Cozy's Blues Lounge, Dallas, TX
- March 17th: J&J's, Fort Worth, TX
- March 18th: SW Blues Festival - Sons of Hermann, Dallas, TX

Southwest Blues Magazine
In its March issue Southwest Blues Magazine features Jimmy Dawkins in a title story. You can order it at www.southwestblues.com.

Jimi Schutte
Drummer Jimi Schutte re-opened his photo archive. Go www.gymshoe.com for more.

Rich Kirch
Guitarist Rich Kirch got his own site. At www.richkirch.com you can find: a photo archive with about about 80 pics, ranging from his beginning at age 18 (with Junior Wells & Rick Kreher in 1973) over a European tour with The American Living Blues Festival (1982) to his latest recording with JLH; a discography showing, beside others, the original covers of hard to find LPs: Jimmy and Hip - "Live!" (1982), Tyrone Centuray - "Outer Space Circus" (1984).
3 11/04/2000 Little Mack Simmons (1934-2000)
On October 24, Little Mack Simmons passed away. Born in 1934, Simmons was a tasteful singer and player. Although he did his first recording in 1960, he never got the attention he deserved. His shaky health didn't affect his singing and blowing when I saw him in late August. Both were still strong and intense. He told the audience twice: "I ain't gonna give up!". Little Mack's music is part of the Chicago blues tradition: you can't hear it elsewhere and there are few artists who put the same amount of heartfelt and passion in their music.

Jimmy Dawkins - in his unique style :-) - said:
"... but on last night my ole good friend died -- we was friends for all the time i lived in chicago, since 1955 -- little mack simmons - died on my birthday -- a great man and one helleva musician ..."
2 09/30/2000 Chicago Cultural Center, December 6, 1997
Review by Steven Sharp: "Jimmy Dawkins and his band, with special guest Abb Locke, injected soul into a private, black-tie holiday party thrown Saturday by the city's top accounting firms at the Chicago Cultural Center in the heart of the Loop." Go here for more.

Sweden, January 1999, Tour with Blue Hammer
You can find photos from that tour here.

Cedarfest, Minneapolis, August 22, 1999
Review by Dave "Doc" Piltz: "I have been wanting to see Westside Chicago legend, Jimmy Dawkins, for several years. At Cedarfest, Dawkins was backed up by one of the finest blues combos in the Twin Cities, The Butanes." Go here for more.

Jimmy Dawkins as guest artist on new records
- 1999: "Hurricane" Jay LaBoy & In Step: Step Aside. Go here for more.
- 1999: Big Walker: My Drive with the Blues. Go here for more.
1 08/27/2000 J.D. at Rosa's Lounge, Chicago, 18/19 August 2000
Jimmy Dawkins played two rare club gigs at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago. I had the opportunity to be there and give you a short summary. A full report will appear at Joe's Corner in the next days. The shows were titled 'Tribute to Magic Sam'. Headlining where New York resident Bobby Radcliff, who played two sets of each one hour, and Jimmy, who performed in all 90 minutes each night. Both were backed by the Rockin' Johnny Band with Larry Taylor on drums. The set list included 'I got it', 'That's alright', 'All your love (Magic Sam)', 'Come back baby', 'Feel so bad', 'Boogie chillen', 'Sweet home Chicago', 'Rock me baby', 'If you're ready' and a couple of instrumentals. Radcliff played almost own songs plus 'Sex machine' and 'I wonder why'. On Friday Eddie Taylor Jr. and Eddie C. Campbell (along with Magic Sam's former drummer Robert "Huckleberry Hound" Wright) showed up for each two songs. Guest on Saturday was Taildragger, who came on stage to sing 'Be Careful', 'Dont let' and 'My Head is Bald' (together with Jimmy) from the 1982 Leric recording. Lurrie Bell played guitar on one song at special request by Jimmy.

J.D. on Napster
Wether you call it the largest online community of music lovers in history or a network enabling you to violate the law by steeling music without paying fees / royalities to the artists, Napster is at some times a source to get an unofficial live recording from 1988. A guy offers through Napster 7 or 8 tracks, I already got three of them. The recording was done in Austria, is lo-fi and you hear the predominant audience cheering or talking. Another less known track is 'Goin down' by 'Jimmy Dawkins & The Icemen' (8 min.), live from Iceland in the early 90s I guess.