reggies + music made in america presents: blues projam series
REGGIES and MUSIC MADE IN AMERICA present the Blues ProJam Series
The Blues ProJam is a collaboration of some of the finest Blues musicians on the scene today. We start our once a month Blues Extravaganza with this stellar line up! We will be joined by invited top Blues artists from all over.
Sponsored by Hennessey.
OMAR COLEMAN
Omar Coleman as a rising star with iron-clad longevity in the national blues scene. Hailing from the West Side of Chicago, Coleman grew up entrenched in soul music and black music that defined the era in the mid-90s. Working as a barber by trade, Coleman recalls being bored at his shop on Michigan & Adams in Downtown Chicago and sauntering to the music shop down the street to pick up an instrument to pass the time. He landed on the harmonica thinking it would be easy to learn quickly and would fiddle around on it between cutting hair and usurping the shoeshine guy’s chair when he went to shine shoes in the back. With many clients being musicians, Coleman would learn about Chicago being heralded as ‘Home of the Blues’ and was tipped off to legends such as Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, and more. Another world opened up.
Dave Katzman has been working in the Chicago Blues scene for over 4 decades. He has traveled the world as an Engineer, Guitarist, Producer and Road Manager. Working with artists like Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Otis Rush and many others.
MELVIN SMITH
Melvin has been playing bass guitar for over 25 years in venues from small clubs to large international festivals. His career has had him performing in bands with such luminaries as Koko Taylor, Lurie Bell and Billy Branch. He has also performed with Carl Weathersby, Big James and the Chicago Playboys, Jimmy Johnson, Phil Guy, Lefty Dizz, Melvin Taylor, Charlie Love, Jimmy Burns and many others. Melvin is one of the most sought out bass men in the Chicago blues scene today.
Blues singer Willie Buck has been leading his own bands in Chicago for over forty years now. He has enjoyed the company of some of the city’s best sidemen. The Houston, Mississippi native and Chicago adoptive son, has signed a new contract with Delmar Records. Buck’s new exciting CD will be released next spring, right before the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival.