talkin' blues productions


	David Rotundo's Harp case

John Jackson

Mr. John Jackson was my very first interview. The moment I met him, I realized that documenting the "blues" was something I really had to do. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be greatly missed.

Phillip Walker

"The blues didn't jump on me...I jumped on the blues" Phillip Walker

B. B. King

When I began this project, I made a list of five artists that I dreamed of meeting. B.B. King was at the top of that list. The chance to sit and talk to him on his bus in Montreal was an unbelievable experience that I will always cherish. Without a doubt, he is the King of the Blues. (The other four artist have yet to return my call.)



	Snooky Pryor, David Rotundo & Jack de Keyzer

Snooky Pryor is one of the finest harp players around and is still going strong at the age of 80. He has an amazing memory for details and a great laughter. He is obviously a man who loves what he does.

David Rotundo is someone I have gotten to know as a friend during the course of this project. He has been kind enough to share his insights on the realities of a young white blues musician trying to make it in Canada. In my opinion, there are very few artists who exude their passion for playing the blues on stage like David. (Of course, he pays me to do his web site.)

Jack de Keyzer is without a doubt, one of the best Canadian guitarists around. If you haven't seen him perform live, please make a point of doing so. He is also a class act who has supported my project from the very moment we met.

Just a comment about me - although my gut looks a little large in the picture, I think it's got something to do with the lighting or something.

Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin's guitar playing has contributed so much to the blues - it's hard to imagine how many guitar players he has influenced. Spending some time with him is something I will never forget.

Keb'Mo

Meeting Keb'Mo was one of my goals from the very beginning of this project. To finally meet up with him and to find out what a great guy he is was an absolute thrill.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is a brilliant musician who is full of brilliant thoughts and perspectives on music and on life. Meeting up with him was also one of the major highlights of this project.

Magic Slim

When it comes to Chicago blues, there are very few people playing it the way Magic Slim does. Watching him work his magic on stage is something to behold.

(Photograph by Eric Thom)

Gary Kendall

One requires the assistance of many, many people during the course of a project of this size. It would take a long time to acknowledge and thank everyone who has been involve in this project but one person who I owe a great deal of gratitude to is Gary Kendall (bassist for Downchild Blues Band and Talent Buyer for the Silver Dollar Room). Without his assistance, patience and guidance, it would have been very difficult for me to get this project off the ground. Thanks Gary!

Jimmy Burns

Jimmy Burns quit music to start a restaurant in Chicago. When his children were old enough, he decided to return to playing the blues. He's still got his restaurant but he loves to play the blues.

Pinetop Perkins

When I sat next to Pinetop Perkins, it felt as though I would never get closer to the blues as I was, at that moment. I had been told that he loved to "party" all the time but he assured me that he gave that up at around the age of 80 or thereabouts.

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Gatemouth Brown does not play the blues - at least not the down and out kind of blues. He plays positive music. Whatever you call it, he is one of the best and the chance to sit and talk to him about music was certainly a highlight.

Long John Hunter

Long John Hunter is another person who does not consider himself to be a blues man. He can certainly play the blues but he likes to be called an entertainer and without a doubt, he's entertaining.

Sonny Landreth & Robert Jr. Lockwood

Meeting and interviewing Sonny Landreth in Wheeling, West Virginia was a great thrill. What made the interview even more special was that Robert Jr. Lockwood sat and watched interview take place.

I'd be lying if I told you that Toby played or even liked the blues. However, when he left this earth at the beginning of this year, he really gave me the blues. I miss him a lot and think of him very often.