John Primer | KNKX Studio Session -

John Primer is one of the last traditional blues players with a direct link to the original world of Chicago blues. He played guitar with some of the city’s best-known musicians, including Willie Dixon, Magic Slim and Muddy Waters, for whom he served as guitarist and bandleader from 1980 to 1983.

Primer has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. He’s made 17 albums of his own and has played on hundreds more.

His new album, Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge, honors the legendary Chicago blues club where he was bandleader for seven years during the 1970s, backing up virtually every blues artist in the city, including Junior Wells and James Cotton.

After delivering a romping four-song set, Primer said he feels like he was born to play the blues. He grew up in a family where virtually everyone played an instrument and sang. After studying recordings of Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and other early blues stars, he developed his own blues sound.

Primer came to Chicago in 1963 at the age of 18, determined to break into the blues scene. He started playing for tips on the city’s historic Maxwell Street, quickly earning the respect of the city’s blues community.

Dixon, a legendary blues producer and songwriter, hired Primer for his band, Chicago Blues All-Stars, and following his time with Muddy Waters, he toured the world with award-winning blues band Magic Slim and the Teardrops.

Primer learned many lessons working with these blues giants. Dixon, one of the most prolific songwriters in the blues, told him to always write down his song lyrics. Primer has written down over 200 songs.

Waters told him to keep it simple and to play with feeling, which is exactly what Primer did in this rousing electric blues session for KNKX.

Musicians:
John Primer – vocals, guitar
Steve Bell – harmonica
Brady Kish – bass
David Hudson – drums

Songs:
0:00 Hard Working Woman
6:16 7 Nights for 7 Years
11:18 Hard Times
17:05 I Called My Baby

Audio:
Adam Burd
Jordan Tan

Video:
Parker Miles Blohm

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About KNKX
KNKX is an ambassador for jazz and blues, and a vital source of high-quality NPR and Northwest news. Our programming staff is committed to bringing you the best in jazz and blues, and expanding the audience for this vital art form.

We are an independent public radio station, with studios in Seattle and Tacoma, funded by a loyal community of listeners who value the station’s services. KNKX stands for “Connects,” which reflects our commitment to inspire, educate and entertain across Western Washington. Start listening today at https://knkx.org/listen

NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts is a popular video series featuring live, intimate music performances by diverse artists, from major stars to up-and-coming musicians, recorded in the small workspace of Bob Boilen’s NPR office in Washington, D.C.brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

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