provided by OPENAIR-MARKET NET
"Sit in with us, jam with us", says Piano C. Red, one of several musicians who regularly play at the New Maxwell Street market. "Lots of blues musicians have played with us: James Cotton, Junior Wells, Maxwell Street Jimmy Davis, Smilin Bobby, Buster Benton, Willie James, B.B. Jones, Little Scotty, Shirley King -- we wanna add President Clinton's name to the list."
Piano C. Red would like to say to President Clinton, "Come on down to Maxwell Street; see the people; see the grassroots people who are keeping the Maxwell Street traditions alive. We're your kind of people. Many of us are from the South like you. We're friendly. We've got all races and religions here. We all get along. We think the Maxwell Street Market is a good example of what America is about - respectin each other's traditions - keeping them alive, helping each other, makin money, and havin fun. It's also about struggle and the blues says it all."
Piano C. Red was born in Montevallo, Alabama in 1933 and got his early taste for music from his mother who would sing spiritual songs around the house. He came to Chicago in 1956. He recorded with Chess Records in 1963 and made the 45 single, "Slow Down and Cool It" with "Monkey Wobble Groove" on the flip side. He was hoping that the record would take off but Leonard Chess got a heart attack and Chess Records folded.
On various occasions he has played with such greats as Muddy Waters, Lefty Dizz, Hound Dog Taylor, and Elmore James. By day he drives a cab. His Flat Foot Boogie Band has played several years at the old Market (just passin the hat). He continues the Maxwell Street tradition by playing in the new market. "That tradition," says Red, "is playing blues in the open air, no commercial stuff, just connectin with the people. It's honoring all the blues musicians, some became famous -- some didn't, who have played at Maxwell Street since the 1930s. They deserve recognition and respect."
For more information :
Contact Piano C. Red at 312-787-4030 ext. 605; Beeper Number 312-837-6053; Address: P.O. Box 20730, Chicago, IL 60620.
Contact Dan Parker, a DePaul University graduate student who does research about the Maxwell Street Market. Phone: 312-342-1356. E-mail address: <ParkDan@aol.com>.
One read about Red in the May/June 1996 of Living Blues Magazine, "Piano C. Red, Cab Drivin Man," by Steven Sharp, pp. 43-47.
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