Chicago Blues at the 100 Club

This year's London Blues Festival kicked off in great style last night with two Chicago legends - John Primer and Billy Branch - performing at the 100 Club, supported by rising guitar star Jamiah Rogers. Rearranged from this time last year because of Covid, the place was packed with blues lovers, many of whom had been holding on to their tickets for over 12 months. I noticed both Errol Linton and Little George Sueref among the audience members. Billed as a 'Chicago Blues Explosion' the show began with 27 year old Jamiah Rogers (pictured below), a guitarist in the Jimi Hendrix mould who is good to watch, with lively foot work and behind the head guitar playing, but a bit heavy for my taste at times. His set included the Rolling Stones' 'Miss You', 'What'd I Say' and 'The Sky Is Crying'.

A good start to the evening, but things stepped up a gear with the arrival on stage of John Primer (top photo), a very fine guitarist, who has played with everyone from Junior Wells to Muddy Waters, Magic Slim, Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor and Syl Johnson. He was born in Mississippi and moved to Chicago at the age of 18 becoming a member of the house band at Theresa's on the South Side, before joining the Junior Wells band. Now 77, I first saw him at the 100 Club in 1994 and he doesn't look a great deal different. His guitar playing too is as solid as ever and at times exciting: I particularly enjoyed his storming version of 'Mannish Boy'. Well supported by the band, with Giles Robson on harmonica, his set also included an excellent version of 'Stick Close Together'. This was Chicago blues at its best and it was good to see him again at the 100 Club.

Final act of the evening was ace harmonica player Billy Branch (pictured above), who was joined on stage by John Primer and Jamiah Rogers. Billy is a regular at blues festivals around the world and is a superb harp player. He was a member of the Chicago Blues All Stars, led by Willie Dixon, before forming his own band the Sons of Blues. His set included enjoyable versions of 'Blues With A Feeling' and 'My Babe' and he credited the UK with 'saving the blues' back in the sixties. His final number, 'Who's Loving You Tonight', featured an extended walk through the audience. Another excellent performance and much appreciated by the crowd. The trio are due to play another show this evening and the festival continues over the next couple of weeks with shows by Big Boy Bloater, Sister Cookie, Nine Below Zero, Sarah Brown, the Animals, Chris Corcoran and Dr Feelgood. Photo below shows John Primer and Jamiah Rogers together.