Lessons in Chicago Blues

[Mack]

I don't know how many of you have come across Derrick Big Walker - I stumbled across him on Youtube. Not only does he have a beautiful subtone filled sound, and plays fluid blues (sounds good to me anyway), but he also does good beginners lessons in blues. Great character. I think there at least an hours worth of lessons on Youtube.

 

[Colin the Bear]

He plays great but he talks just as fast as he plays. It may take several plays of the vid to get the whole content.

 

[BrianJoeSandy]

I love it. Been trying to play blues for some time now. Charlie Parker Omnibook K.C. Blues for tenor is a favorite and the video helps 'understand' it.

 

[thomsax]

Great guy. I took some lessons from him for some years ago. And I've also arranged a BluesSax workshop with Big Walker as leader. Good player and he makes everyone to feel good. Bobby Forte was Big Walker's teacher back in 70's when he lived in San Francisco

 

[zelda]

Thanks for posting the video. I watched it and picked up some good tips. I'm interested in playing this kind of music, especially at blues jams. I've bookmarked it. I went to his web site but it was painfully slow.

 

[BrianJoeSandy]

Ray Gellato's night train

http://youtu.be/cJr2V67jLFc

starts with his first riff 1 3b 3 5 6 8

 

[Adrian63]

This is a really great thread. Thanks Mack !! Ade

 

[Adrian63]

Man, how good does Ray Gelato sound !! It really doesnt get too much better. What a Beautiful horn also !! Don Menza, now RG. This is great stuff ( man ); Later Ade

 

[Clivey]

Vid is great if only for the closeups of his 6M

Pure Horn Porn ... drool

 

[kevgermany]

Vid is great if only for the closeups of his 6M

Pure Horn Porn ... drool

I think it's a 10M

 

[thomsax]

!0M on Night Train video nad 6M on Big Walker. His "new" horn! But both horns are great!

 

[thomsax]

I would recommend to listen to some players that are into the "Chicago BluesSax Style". IMO this style have less in common with jazz! And the Chicago Blues Sax Style is also much about the electric guitar and sax.

J.T. Brown (Elmore James ....), A.C Reed (Earl Hooker ...... Rolling Stones), Eddie Shaw (Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf ....).

Another saxplayer that is important to the Chicago Blues and Chicago sound is Gene Barge (Little Milton, Koko Tayor, ..... Rolling Stones) and also Harold Ashby (went on to be soloist with Duke Ellington) did lots of classic Chicago Blues from Otis Rush to Willie Dixon/Memphis Slim. Abb Locke on Koko Taylor's "I Got What It takes" and "Earthshaker" (Alligator Records) is also a great sample of Chicago Blues Sax. There are other good saxplayers pre Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf era.

The Chicago Blues Sax is often about a single sax in a band.