Richard Allen "Blue" Mitchell b. March 13, 1930 in Miami, Florida d. May 21, 1979 in Los Angeles, California

jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk trumpeter, in the field of blues best known for his work with John Mayall Blue Mitchell @ Wikipedia Blue Mitchell @ discogs.com

Blue Mitchell source: Back cover of 1972 LP Mainstream MRL 374 "Blue Mitchell: Blues' Blues"

Flutists

Johnny Heartsman b. February 9, 1937 in San Fernando, California d. December 27, 1996 in Sacramento, California

organ, flute and guitar player; best known for his work with Jimmy McCracklin Johnny Heartsman @ Wikipedia Johnny Heartsman @ discogs.com

Johnny Heartsman source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 1.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 19 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir Johnny Heartsman Alligator Records promo card source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Heartsman

Pianists / Organists

Johnny Heartsman b. February 9, 1937 in San Fernando, California d. December 27, 1996 in Sacramento, California

organ, flute and guitar player; best known for his work with Jimmy McCracklin Johnny Heartsman @ Wikipedia Johnny Heartsman @ discogs.com

Johnny Heartsman Alligator Records promo card source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Heartsman Johnny Heartsman source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 1.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 19 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Johnnie Clyde Johnson b. July 8, 1924 in Fairmont, West Virginia d. April 13, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri

best known for his work with Chuck Berry Johnnie Johnson @ Wikipedia Johnnie Johnson @ discogs.com

Chuck Berry with Johnnie Johnson, p, c. 1957 source: Blues Unlimited # 140 (Spring 1981), p. 17 photographer's name not given Johnnie Johnson source: David Harrison: Die Legenden des Blues - Eine Hommage in Bildern.- Königswinter, Germany (HEEL-Verlag) 1995, p. 139 photographer: Dave Peabody

Little Johnny Jones b. November 1, 1924 in Jackson, Mississippi d. November 19, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois

Little Johnny Jones @ Wikipedia Little Johnny Jones @ discogs.com Little Johnny Jones discography @ wirz.de

Little Johnny Jones and Otis Spann with George 'Mojo' Buford, Chicago, late 1950s source: Living Blues 42 (1979), p. 24 ("Courtesy Letha Jones")

Lafayette Leake b. June 1, 1919 in Winona, Missouri d. August 14, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois

Lafayette Leake @ Wikipedia

Lafayette Leake source: Black and Blue LP 33.527 (Fr 1979)

Otis Spann b. March 21, 1930 in Jackson, Mississippi d. April 24, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois

best known for his work with Muddy Waters Otis Spann @ Wikipedia

Little Johnny Jones and Otis Spann with George 'Mojo' Buford, Chicago, late 1950s source: Living Blues 42 (1979), p. 24 ("Courtesy Letha Jones")

Sunnyland Slim b. September 5, 1906 on a farm in Quitman County, near Vance, Mississippi d. March 17, 1995 in Chicago, Illinois

Sunnyland Slim @ Wikipedia Sunnyland Slim @ discogs.com

Sunnyland Slim source: Bluesway BLS-6068 (US 1973)

 

Guitarists

Pat Hare b. December 20, 1930 in Cherry Valley, Arkansas d. September 26, 1980 at the Stillwater Prison in Bayport near St. Paul, Minnesota

best known for his work with Muddy Waters Pat Hare @ Wikipedia Pat Hare discography @ wirz.de

Muddy Waters Band at Smitty's Corner, Chicago, 1959 l to r: Muddy Waters (just visible), Otis Spann, Francis Clay, Andrew Stephens, Little Walter & Pat Hare source: Juke Blues #23 (Summer 1991), p.11; photographer: Jacques Demêtre Muddy Waters Band at the Tay May Club, Chicago, 1960 l to r: Andrew Stephens, Muddy Waters & Pat Hare source: Juke Blues #23 (Summer 1991), p.14; photographer: Paul Oliver

Johnny Heartsman b. February 9, 1937 in San Fernando, California d. December 27, 1996 in Sacramento, California

organ, flute and guitar player; best known for his work with Jimmy McCracklin Johnny Heartsman @ Wikipedia Johnny Heartsman @ discogs.com

Johnny Heartsman Alligator Records promo card source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Heartsman Johnny Heartsman source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 1.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 19 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Willie Johnson b. March 4, 1923 in Senatobia, Mississippi d. February 26, 1995 in Chicago, Illinois

best known as the principal guitarist in Howlin' Wolf's band from 1948 to 1953 Willie Johnson @ Wikipedia Willie Johnson @ discogs.com Willie Johnson tribute by Steve Franz @ Blues Unlimited

Willie Johnson & Adolph "Billy" Duncan, early 1950s source: http://www.706unionavenue.nl/64258509

Louis Myers b. September 18, 1929 in Byhalia, Mississippi d. September 5, 1994 in Chicago, Illinois

guitarist, harmonicist; best known as member of The Aces The Aces (Louis Myers) @ Wikipedia Louis Myers @ AllMusic.com Louis Myers @ discogs.com

source: Blues Unlimited #122 (Nov./Dec. 1976) photographer: Bill Greensmith source: Blues Unlimited #113 (May/June 1975), p. 7 photographer: Bill Greensmith

The Aces: Dave Myers, Louis Myers, Fred Below source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 3.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 129 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Brewer Phillips b. November 16, 1924 in Coila, Mississippi d. August 30, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois

guitarist comping basslines while simultaneously combining chords best known for his work with Hound Dog Taylor, J.B. Hutto and Lil' Ed Williams Brewer Phillips @ Wikipedia Brewer Phillips @ discogs.com

J.B. Hutto, Hound Dog Taylor, Brewer Phillips & Ted Harvey outside Florence's Lounge, Chicago, Illinois source: David Harrison: Die Legenden des Blues - Eine Hommage in Bildern.- Königswinter, Germany (HEEL-Verlag) 1995, p. 108 photographer's name not given ("courtesy of Blues Unlimited") [actually Sandy Sutherland]

Hubert Sumlin b. November 16, 1931 in Greenwood, Mississippi d. Dezember 4, 2011 in Wayne, New Jersey

best known for his work with Howling Wolf Hubert Sumlin @ Wikipedia Hubert Sumlin discography @ wirz.de

Hubert Sumlin, S.P. Leary, Sunnyland Slim & Howlin' Wolf at Big Duke's Flamingo Lounge, Chicago photographer: Willy Leiser

Edward Eddie Taylor b. January 29, 1923 in Benoit, Mississippi d. December 25, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois

best known for his work with Jimmy Reed Eddie Taylor @ Wikipedia Eddie Taylor @ AllMusic.com Eddie Taylor @ discogs.com

Jimmy Reed with Eddie Taylor source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 1.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 19 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir Eddie Taylor source: http://bobcorritore.com/photos/the-andre-hobus-blues-photo-library-part-1/ photographer: André Hobus

 

Bassists

Jerome Arnold b. November 12, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois Jerome Arnold is a younger brother of Billy Boy Arnold, as is harmonicist Augustus "Gus" Arnold (who around 1969 changed his name to "Julio Finn")

best known for his work with Howling Wolf and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Jerome Arnold @ Wikipedia Jerome Arnold credits @ AllMusic.com Jerome Arnold @ discogs.com

Mike Bloomfield, Jerome Arnold & Paul Butterfield at Newport Folk Festival, July 24, 1965 source: http://www.mikebloomfieldamericanmusic.com/newport.htm (Screen capture from "Festival" by filmmaker Murray Lerner)

Samuel "Singin' Sam" Chatmon son of Sam (né Vivian) Chatmon (1900-1983); aka "Phil Sampson" b. November 19, 1921 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee d. November 30, 1991 in Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois buried at Oakland Memory Lanes in Dolton, Cook County, Illinois

Singin' Sam @ discogs.com Singin' Sam @ findagrave.com

Muddy Waters Band at Sylvio's Lounge, Chicago, 1957 Pat Hare, g; Otis Spann, p; Muddy Waters, voc; Big Crawford [died in March 1956!] Samuel "Singin' Sam" Chatmon, b; unknown saxophonist; Elga Edmonds, dr [in adjacent photo!]; James Cotton, hca [in main photo only hands holding microphone visible] source of main photo: de.pinterest.com/pin/440508407276721410/ source of photo on the right: Living Blues 208 (August 2010); www.issues.louisvillemusicnews.net/2011/2011April/rambleapril2011.php photographer: Yannick Bruynoghe, December 1957 (same location, but not same session as main photo!)

Ernest "Big" Crawford b. July 31, 1897 d. March, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee

Big Crawford @ Wikipedia Big Crawford @ discogs.com

Memphis Slim and his quartet in the first half of 1948 From left, prob. Ernest "Big" Crawford (b), Ernest Cotton (ts), Memphis Slim (p), Alex Atkins (as) source: http://campber.people.clemson.edu/miracle.html ("From the collection of Scott Arnold")

Dillard Crume b. June 23, 1935 in Swift, Missouri d. March 21, 2008 in Reidsville, Tattnall County, Georgia (last residence) buried at Robert Chapel Cemetery in Reidsville, GA

Gospel producer, guitarist and lead singer of The Soul Stirrers in the blues field best (and only) known as bass player and M.C. for the American Folk Blues Festival 1967 Dillard Crume @ discogs.com Dillard Crume obituary @ malaco.com

Dillard Crume with Odie Payne (background), AFBF 1967 source: Screen capture from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsE3JnsXTPs

Willie Dixon b. July 1, 1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi d. January 29, 1992 in Burbank, California

Willie Dixon @ Wikipedia

Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy source: Blues & Rhythm # 68 (April 1992) photographer: ?

Alfred Elkins b. August 16, 1910 near Jerome, Drew County, Arkansas d. after 1992 presumably in Chicago, Illinois

Alfred Elkins was a longtime blues bassist, active in recording at least from the early 1930's through the end of the 1950's. He spent much of his career in Chicago, and played and recorded with Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf, the first Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo, and Tampa Red, amongst others. (allmusic.com) Alfred Elkins @ allmusic.com Alfred Elkins @ discogs.com

New York's Popular Entertainers on the Burma Front l to r: Taps Miller (trumpet), Alberta Hunter (at mike), Leonard Caston (piano), Mae Gaddy (singer), Ollie Crawford (guitar) & Alfred Elkins (bass) source: Baltimore Afro-American (January 20, 1945) Howlin' Wolf and band at the 708 Club, Chicago in December 1957 l to r: S.P. Leary, Alfred Elkins, Howlin' Wolf, Abb Locke, Hosea Lee Kennard (at piano) & Hubert Sumlin source: James Segrest & Mark Hoffman: Moanin' at Midnight - The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf.- New York (Pantheon Books) 2004, unpaginated photo pages between pp. 151 and 152; photographer: Yannick Bruynoghe Howlin' Wolf and band at the 708 Club, Chicago in December 1957 l to r: Abb Locke (half-hidden), Howlin' Wolf, Alfred Elkins (in background), Hosea Lee Kennard (at piano) & Tampa Red source: James Segrest & Mark Hoffman: Moanin' at Midnight - The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf.- New York (Pantheon Books) 2004, unpaginated photo pages between pp. 151 and 152; photographer: Yannick Bruynoghe

Sylvia Embry b. Sylvia Lee Burton, June 14, 1941 in Wabbaseka, Arkansas d. February 28, 1992 in Chicago, Illinois

Sylvia Embry discography @ wirz.de

Queen Sylvia Embry with Twist Turner (dr) & John Primer (Germany); Toronto 1982 source: Twist Turner's Photo Archives at http://members.tripod.com/~Twist_Turner/index-31.html; ; photographer: Eddy B

Calvin "Fuzz" Jones b. June 9, 1926 in Greenwood, Mississippi d. August 9, 2010 in Southaven, Mississippi

best known for his work with Muddy Waters Calvin Jones @ Wikipedia Calvin Jones @ discogs.com

Calvin Jones source: Blues Unlimited 110 (October-November 1974), p. 13 photographer: Bill Greensmith

Ransom Knowling b. June 24, 1912 in New Orleans Vicksburg 1), Mississippi d. October 22, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois 1) source: Jim O'Neal (at facebook), who has copies of Knowling's Social Security application, musicians union file, census records and death certificate

best known as a bass player, also played tuba and violin Ransom Knowling @ Wikipedia Ransom Knowling @ discogs.com

Ransom Knowling in the 1960s source: RCA LPV 573 inner gatefold photographer: Raeburn Flerlage

David Dave Myers b. Oktober 30,1926 in Byhalia, Mississippi d. September 3, 2001 in Chicago, Illinois

guitarist, bassist; best known as member of The Aces The Aces (Dave Myers) @ Wikipedia Dave Myers @ AllMusic.com Dave Myers @ discogs.com

Dave Myers source: Blues Unlimited #113 (May/June 1975), p. 7 photographer: Bill Greensmith

The Aces: Dave Myers, Louis Myers, Fred Below source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 3.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 129 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Jack Myers b. January 28, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee d. March 9, 2011 (74) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

bassist accompanying Earl Hooker, Otis Rush, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells, Charlie Musselwhite, AFBF 1966 second cousin of brothers Dave, Louis, Bob (harmonicist) & Curtis (pianist) & Jimmy (non-musician) Myers Jack Myers @ AllMusic.com Jack Myers @ discogs.com Jack Myers obituary by Bob Corritore

Jack Myers source: Rhythm & Blues Panorama 42 (1966), p. 25 photographer: Raeburn Flerlage

Brewer Phillips b. November 16, 1924 in Coila, Mississippi d. August 30, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois

guitarist comping basslines while simultaneously combining chords best known for his work with Hound Dog Taylor, J.B. Hutto and Lil' Ed Williams Brewer Phillips @ Wikipedia Brewer Phillips @ discogs.com

J.B. Hutto, Hound Dog Taylor, Brewer Phillips & Ted Harvey outside Florence's Lounge, Chicago, Illinois source: David Harrison: Die Legenden des Blues - Eine Hommage in Bildern.- Königswinter, Germany (HEEL-Verlag) 1995, p. 108 photographer's name not given ("courtesy of Blues Unlimited") [actually Sandy Sutherland]

Andrew J. Stephens Jr. (a/k/a Andrew Stephenson) b. March 13, 1930 in Phenix City, Russell County, Alabama

Andrew Stephenson @ discogs.com

Muddy Waters Band at Smitty's Corner, Chicago, 1959 l to r: Muddy Waters (just visible), Otis Spann, Francis Clay, Andrew Stephens, Little Walter & Pat Hare source: Juke Blues #23 (Summer 1991), p.11; photographer: Jacques Demêtre Muddy Waters Band at the Tay May Club, Chicago, 1960 l to r: Andrew Stephens, Muddy Waters & Pat Hare source: Juke Blues #23 (Summer 1991), p.14; photographer: Paul Oliver

Bob Stroger b. December 27, 1930 on a farm outside of Hayti, Missouri

Bob Stroger homepage Bob Stroger @ Wikipedia Bob Stroger @ discogs.com

Bob Stroger source: http://www.reggieslive.com/wp-content/uploads/Bob-Stroger.jpg 1981 AFBF ensemble; Zürich, Switzerland, March 13, 1981 (l to r): Odie Payne, John Cephas, Sunnyland Slim, Margie Evans, Phil Wiggins, Bob Stroger, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell, Louisiana Red, Hubert Sumlin source: Blues Forum 3 (1981), p. 20; photographer: George Tanner

Mac Thompson b. Mac Johnson, January 28, 1934 in Holly Springs, Mississippi d. October 10, 1991 in Chicago, Illinois

Mac Thompson @ discogs.com Mac Thompson discography @ wirz.de

Mac Thompson, American Folk Blues Festival Frankfurt a.M., Germany, October 14, 1969 source: Blues Forum #14 (2.Quartal 1984), p.13; photographer: Norbert Hess

 

Drummers Odie Payne, Clifton James, Fred Below, S.P. Leary, Earl Phillips September 4, 1986 at the Chicago Historical Society (now known as the Chicago History Museum) photo courtesy Steve Cushing; photographer's name not known

Fred Below b. September 16, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois d. August 14, 1988 in Chicago, Illinois

best known as member of The Aces Fred Below @ Wikipedia

Fred Below source: Blues Unlimited # 131/132 (Sept./Dec. 1978) photographer: Bill Greensmith Fred Below, Snooky Pryor, Homesick James source: Blues & Rhythm # 95 (Jan. 1995) photographer: Bill Greensmith

The Aces: Dave Myers, Louis Myers, Fred Below source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 3.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 129 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Francis Clay b. November 16, 1923 in Rock Island, Illinois d. January 21, 2008 in San Francisco, California

best known for his work with Muddy Waters Francis Clay @ Wikipedia Francis Clay @ discogs.com Francis Clay obituary @ sfgate.com

Francis Clay source: Mike Leadbitter (ed.): Nothing but the Blues.- London 1971, photo page between pp. 154 and 155; photographer: Mike Rowe Muddy Waters Band at Smitty's Corner, Chicago, 1959 l to r: Muddy Waters (just visible), Otis Spann, Francis Clay, Andrew Stephens, Little Walter & Pat Hare source: Juke Blues #23 (Summer 1991), p.11; photographer: Jacques Demêtre Francis Clay, San Francisco, September 1996 source: Front cover of Block #103 (juli/augustus/september '97) photographer: Rien Wisse

James "Peck" Curtis b. March 7, 1912 in Benoit, Mississippi d. November 1, 1970 in Helena, Arkansas

best known for his work with Sonny Boy Williamson II (King Biscuit Time) Peck Curtis @ AllMusic.com Peck Curtis @ discogs.com

King Biscuit Time: Houston Stackhouse, Sonny Boy Williamson, Peck Curtis source: http://nighthawk.sundayblues.org/ Peck Curtis photographer: George Mitchell

Johnnie Mae Dunson b. Johnnie Mae Hudson on March 9, 1921 near Bessemer, Alabama d. October 4, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois

Johnnie Mae Dunson @ discogs.com Johnnie Mae Dunson @ jazzfoundation.org

l to r: Leroy Stewart, b; Johnnie Mae Dunson, dr; William Carson, g; c. 1962 ? source: Blues Unlimited # 113 (May/June1975), p. 20 ("J.M. Dunson Smith / J. Demetre")

Elga Edmonds ("Elgin Evans" is a typo based on a mis-hearing of his actual name) b. June 21, 1909 in Champaign, Illinois d. August 26, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, Chicago

best known for his work with Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers Elga Edmonds @ AllMusic.com Elga Edmonds @ discogs.com

Elga Edmonds, c. early '1950s source: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=26401&d=1299209298 (posted by "checker758" in 2011, photo courtesy Elga Edmonds, the late nephew of the drummer), a bit photoshop embellished by Stefan Wirz Muddy Waters, Jerome Green or Henry Armstrong (maraccas), Otis Spann, Henry "Pot" Strong, Elga Edmonds, Jimmy Rogers at the Zanzibar, 1954 source: Mike Rowe: Chicago Blues - The City and the Music.- New York (Da Capo Paperback) 1975, first published in 1973 as "Chicago Breakdown", p. 146 ("from Chess files") Sylvio's Lounge (or The Zanzibar), prob. 1954; persons at the bar (l to r): Viola Spearman (Koko Taylor's Sister), Levi Walton (Koko Taylor's brother), Vera Walton (Levi Walton's wife), Koko Taylor, Robert Taylor, Savannah Becton (Koko Taylor's sister) in the background (l to r): Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Elga Edmonds (red circle), Jimmy Rogers source: http://www.pastblues.com/view-action-89.html?en=Elga+Edmonds

Earl Lacy Forest b. December 1, 1926 in Memphis, Tennessee d. February 26, 2003 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee buried at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Memphis

best known as member of The Beale Streeters Earl Forest @ discogs.com Earl Forest @ souldetective.com Earl Forest obituary @ findagrave.com

circa 1951: Portrait of the American jazz band The Beale Streeters posing with their instruments in the radio studios of WDIA, Memphis, Tennessee. (l to r): Earl Forest (dr), Adolph Billy Duncan (ts), Bobby Blue Bland and Johnny Ace ℗ (photo by Frank Driggs Collection / Getty Images)

Ted Harvey b. December 21, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois d. October 6, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois

best known for his work with Hound Dog Taylor, J.B. Hutto & Cub Koda Ted Harvey @ discogs.com

J.B. Hutto, Hound Dog Taylor, Brewer Phillips & Ted Harvey outside Florence's Lounge, Chicago, Illinois source: David Harrison: Die Legenden des Blues - Eine Hommage in Bildern.- Königswinter, Germany (HEEL-Verlag) 1995, p. 108 photographer's name not given ("courtesy of Blues Unlimited") [actually Sandy Sutherland]

Armand "Jump" Jackson b. March 25, 1917 in New Orleans, Louisiana d. January 31, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois

Jump Jackson @ Wikipedia (de) Jump Jackson @ discogs.com

Jump Jackson & His Orchestra, June 1947, Chicago source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pqA-VuQeOI Jump Jackson & His Orchestra source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/100697741640012920/ (from museum.state.il.us)     T-Bone Walker (with Jump Jackson in the background) at the American Folk Blues Festival, October 18, 1962 at Hamburg University's Auditorium Maximum source: Inner gatefold of Brunswick LP 9012 at http://americanfolkbluesfestival.blogspot.de/ photographer: Renate von der Osten

Clifton James b. October 7, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois d. February 16, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois

best known for his work with Bo Diddley and on Chess Records sessions Clifton James @ Wikipedia (de) Clifton James @ discogs.com

Clifton James source: http://www.foto-prust.de/portraets/james.htm Clifton James (Chicago Blues All-Stars at Berlin Jazz Festival 1970) source: Screen capture from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHs7B47s36c

Lee Arthur Art King a/k/a Kid King b. September 23, 1927 in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee d. November 25, 1970 in Dade County, Florida buried at Stones River National Cemetery, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

drummer, bandleader Kid King @ discogs.com

Mighty Joe Young, Jimmy Rogers & Kid King at The Square Deal Club, 230 W. Division, Chicago, January 1958 source: Block - Tijdschrift voor Blues #101 (januari/februari/maart '97), p. 13; photographer: Yannick Bruynoghe

Frank Kirkland b. June 29, 1927 in Washington, D.C. d. March 1973

best known as drummer in Bo Diddley's band and session man for Chess Records Frank Kirkland @ discogs.com

Frank Kirkland Delmark DS 617 "J.B. Hutto & the Hawks: Hawk Squat"; photographer: Greg Roberts [= Bob Koester]

Sam Lay b. March 20, 1935 in Birmingham, Alabama

Sam Lay @ Wikipedia Sam Lay @ discogs.com

Sam Lay source: http://siegelschwall.com/about/member-bios/sam-lay-bio/

S.P. Leary b. June 6, 1930 in Carthage, Texas d. January 26, 1998 in Chicago, Illinois

S.P. Leary @ discogs.com

S.P. Leary source: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/s-p-leary-and-the-chicago-all-stars/posters/poster/ZZZ008218.html

Barrelhouse Chuck - New Farewell To S.P. Leary

Willie Nix b. August 6, 1922 in Memphis, Tennessee d. July 9, 1991 in Leland, Mississippi

Willie Nix @ Wikipedia Willie Nix @ discogs.com Willie Nix discography @ wirz.de

source: Cover of Living Blues #43

Earl Cyril Palmer b. October 25, 1924 in New Orleans, Louisiana d. September 19, 2008 in Banning, California

Earl Palmer @ Wikipedia Earl Palmer @ discogs.com

Earl Palmer source: Blues Unlimited # 115 (Sept./Oct. 1975) photographer: Bill Greensmith

Odie Payne b. August 27, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois d. March 1, 1989 in Chicago, Illinois

Odie Payne @ Wikipedia Odie Payne @ discogs.com

Odie Payne source: Blues Forum # 2 (März/April/Mai 1981) photographer: Norbert Hess

Odie Payne, Little Johnny Jones, Willie Mabon, Big Bill Hill, Sam Dawson, Caledonia Lounge, Chicago 1950 source: Blues Forum Nr. 2 (März/April/Mai 1981), p. 41; photoshop treated by Stefan Wirz 1967 AFBF ensemble (part of it): Koko Taylor, Sonny Terry, Odie Payne, Little Walter source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 4.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1993, p. 144; photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir 1981 AFBF ensemble; Zürich, Switzerland, March 13, 1981 (l to r): Odie Payne, John Cephas, Sunnyland Slim, Margie Evans, Phil Wiggins, Bob Stroger, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell, Louisiana Red, Hubert Sumlin source: Blues Forum 3 (1981), p. 20; photographer: George Tanner Odie Payne source: Les Génies du Blues, Volume 2.- Paris (Editions Atlas) 1992, p. 161 photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Earl Phillips b. April 25, 1920 in Harlem, New York d. November 20, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois

Earl Phillips @ discogs.com A Tribute to Earl Phillips by Eric LeBlanc

Howling Wolf and The House Rockers: Howling Wolf, Jody Williams, Earl Phillips and Hubert Sumlin, 1954 source: https://www.706unionavenue.nl/170291618; photographer's name not known The guitars in the photo above are Kay model # K161 Thin Twins   Odie Payne, Clifton James, Fred Below, S.P. Leary, Earl Phillips September 4, 1986 at the Chicago Historical Society (now known as the Chicago History Museum) photo courtesy Steve Cushing; photographer's name not known

Lawrence "Judge" Riley b. January 1, 1909 in New Orleans, Louisiana d. August 22, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois

best known as drummer in Lester Melrose sessions; later in his career switched to playing bass Judge Riley @ AllMusic.com Judge Riley @ discogs.com

Judge Riley, 1940s source: Living Blues 34 (Sept./Oct. 1977), p. 40 (Judge Riley obituary by Jim O'Neal; "courtesy Pearl Riley")

Charles "Chick" Sanders date and location of birth unknown date and location of death unknown

best known for his work with Sonny Boy Williamson I, Big Maceo, Tampa Red, Big Boy Crudup, The Big Three Charles Sanders @ discogs.com

there is no photo of Charles Sanders known to exist

Theodore Dudley "Red" Saunders b. March 2, 1912 in Memphis, Tennessee d. March 5, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois

drummer and bandleader, also played vibraphone and timpani Red Saunders @ Wikipedia Red Saunders discography @ myweb.clemson.edu/ Red Saunders @ discogs.com

Red Saunders source: http://myweb.clemson.edu/~campber/red42c.jpg

Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith b. January 19, 1936 in Helena, Arkansas d. September 16, 2011 at the University of Chicago Medical Center

blues vocalist, harmonica player, and drummer, best known for his drum work with Muddy Waters Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith @ Wikipedia Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith @ discogs.com

Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith source: http://www.drummagazine.com/news/post/blues-legend-willie-big-eyes-smith-remembered/

Billie Stepney b. Billie Stephens, January 16, 1930 in Grenada, Mississippi d. September 10, 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio

Billie Stepney @ discogs.com

Billie Stepney with Matt "Guitar" Murphy, 1963 source: Screen capture from http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1gf3j_memphis-slim-wish-me-well_creation

 

Will be expanded frequently !!!

Sources / Further reading: - own record collection - Bob Eagle & Eric S. LeBlanc: Blues - A Regional Experience.- Santa Barbara (Praeger Publishers) 2013 - eBay auctions - diverse internet resources thanks to John Newman, Benoît Brière, Bob Eagle, Scott Dirks, Fede Corchero, Steve Cushing, George Mitchell, Costa Zafiropoulos, Rob Ford, Paul Vernon, Jim O'Neal and Jon Ross for additional info / scans