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2022 Award Recipient

Joe Louis Walker

Joe Louis Walker, a versatile blues icon, blends gospel, jazz, and rock. A prolific artist and mentor, his legacy and influence span generations, keeping the blues vibrant and evolving.

2014 Award Recipient

Eddie Shaw

Eddie Shaw, a legendary saxophonist, shaped blues with his work alongside Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. His legacy endures through his music and mentorship in the blues community.

2013 Award Recipient

John Primer

John Primer, a stalwart of Chicago blues, rose from Mississippi roots to fame with Muddy Waters and Magic Slim. His authentic style and mentoring keep the blues vibrant for future generations.

2012 Award Recipient

Bobby Rush

Bobby Rush, a blues legend, rose from humble beginnings in Louisiana to Grammy-winning fame, blending traditional blues with funk and soul, inspiring generations with his dynamic performances and resilience.

2012 Award Recipient

Lonnie Brooks

Lonnie Brooks, born in Louisiana, became a blues icon with his unique blend of Delta, Texas, and Chicago blues. His influential career, marked by dynamic performances and mentoring, left a lasting legacy.

2011 Award Recipient

Otis Clay

Otis Clay, a gospel-rooted soul and blues icon, bridged musical genres with his powerful voice, leaving a lasting legacy of emotional depth and community dedication.

2010 Award Recipient

Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin, a blues guitar legend, known for his emotive, innovative style with Howlin' Wolf, influenced generations of musicians, leaving an enduring legacy in blues and rock.

2009 Award Recipient

Sugar Pie DeSanto

Sugar Pie DeSanto, a dynamic blues artist, blended cultural influences into her music, leaving a lasting legacy of passionate performances and powerful vocal delivery.

2009 Award Recipient

Magic Slim

Magic Slim, born Morris Holt, was a blues titan from Mississippi. His powerful guitar and gritty vocals defined Chicago blues, leaving an enduring legacy in the genre.

2008 Award Recipient

Denise LaSalle

Denise LaSalle, born in Mississippi, rose to fame with hits like "Trapped by a Thing Called Love." A trailblazing blues singer, songwriter, and producer, her legacy inspires future generations.

2008 Award Recipient

Billy Boy Arnold

Billy Boy Arnold, a Chicago blues legend, revolutionized harmonica playing and influenced generations with hits like "I Wish You Would," leaving an indelible mark on blues and rock music.

2007 Award Recipient

Nappy Brown

Nappy Brown, born in 1929, blended gospel, blues, and R&B with his powerful voice. His hits like "Don't Be Angry" and dynamic performances left a lasting legacy in music.

2007 Award Recipient

Jimmie Jones

Jimmie Jones, a jazz and blues historian, photographer, and advocate, dedicated his life to preserving and promoting these genres, leaving a lasting legacy of passion and education.

2007 Award Recipient

Alberta Adams

Alberta Adams, the Queen of Detroit Blues, rose from humble beginnings to become a trailblazing vocalist, blending blues, jazz, and gospel, leaving an enduring legacy in American music.

2006 Award Recipient

James Cotton

James Cotton, "Superharp," revolutionized blues harmonica, mentored by Sonny Boy Williamson II and played with Muddy Waters. His energetic performances and albums left a lasting legacy on the blues genre.

2005 Award Recipient

Sterling D. Plumpp

Sterling Plumpp, a blues poet, bridged music and literature, capturing African American experiences in his works. His legacy inspires future generations in both genres.

2005 Award Recipient

R. L. Burnside

R.L. Burnside, a Mississippi blues legend, fused traditional Delta blues with modern sounds. His gritty style and resilience left an enduring impact on the blues genre and future generations.

2004 Award Recipient

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, a genre-blending blues virtuoso, left an indelible mark on music with his eclectic style, Grammy-winning albums, and unforgettable performances. His legacy endures.

2004 Award Recipient

Bob Koester

Bob Koester, founder of Delmark Records, preserved and promoted blues and jazz, impacting the genre significantly with his recordings and dedication. His legacy endures through his work and influence.

2003 Award Recipient

John Mayall

John Mayall, the "Godfather of British Blues," shaped the genre with his Bluesbreakers, nurturing legends like Eric Clapton. His enduring legacy continues to inspire musicians worldwide.

2003 Award Recipient

Henry Townsend

Henry Townsend, a blues legend, bridged Delta and urban styles. Spanning 80 years, his career included iconic recordings, influential mentorship, and unwavering dedication to the blues.

2003 Award Recipient

Fred Anderson

Fred Anderson, a saxophone virtuoso, bridged jazz and blues. From Louisiana to Chicago, his innovation and mentorship left a lasting impact on the music scene and future generations.

2002 Award Recipient

“Little Milton” Campbell

Little Milton, born James Milton Campbell, was a soulful bluesman from Mississippi. Known for blending blues and soul, his hits like "We're Gonna Make It" left a lasting legacy on the genre.

2001 Award Recipient

Odetta

Odetta Holmes, the "Voice of the Civil Rights Movement," bridged folk and blues, inspiring artists like Bob Dylan. Her powerful performances championed social justice and equality.

2001 Award Recipient

Koko Taylor

Koko Taylor, the "Queen of the Blues," rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to blues stardom with hits like "Wang Dang Doodle," breaking barriers and influencing future generations.

2001 Award Recipient

John Dee Holeman

John Dee Holeman was a Piedmont blues artist known for his fingerpicking guitar style, blending traditional and modern blues. His legacy includes preserving the Piedmont blues and influencing future generations.

2000 Award Recipient

Henry Gray

Henry Gray, born in Louisiana in 1925, was a pioneering blues pianist who shaped Chicago blues. His legacy lives on through iconic recordings and influence on future musicians.

2000 Award Recipient

Gene “Daddy G” Barge

Gene "Daddy G" Barge, saxophonist and producer, shaped blues and R&B with Chess Records, iconic tracks, and innovative arrangements, leaving a lasting legacy in music.

2000 Award Recipient

Boozoo Chavis

Boozoo Chavis, zydeco pioneer, blended Creole, blues, and Cajun sounds. Known for hits like "Paper in My Shoe," he shaped zydeco and influenced future generations.

2000 Award Recipient

Bobby “Blue” Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland, born in Tennessee, became a blues legend with hits like "Two Steps from the Blues." His blend of blues and soul influenced countless artists, leaving a lasting legacy.

1999 Award Recipient

Pinetop Perkins

Pinetop Perkins, born in 1913, was a legendary blues pianist whose career spanned eight decades. His boogie-woogie style and influence on the blues genre remain unmatched.

1999 Award Recipient

Howard Armstrong

Howard Armstrong, a versatile blues musician, blended diverse musical traditions, influenced American roots music, and left a lasting legacy through his recordings and charismatic performances.

1999 Award Recipient

Francis Clay

Francis Clay, influential blues drummer, shaped the Chicago blues sound with Muddy Waters. His blend of jazz and blues rhythms left a lasting impact on the genre and future generations.

1998 Award Recipient

John Jackson

John Jackson, a master of Piedmont blues, rose from humble beginnings to preserve traditional blues, inspiring future generations with his authentic style and soulful performances.

1998 Award Recipient

Jay McShann

Jay McShann, a pioneering pianist and bandleader, blended blues and jazz, shaping Kansas City jazz and mentoring talents like Charlie Parker, leaving a lasting musical legacy.

1997 Award Recipient

Snooky Pryor

Snooky Pryor, a pioneering blues harmonica player, revolutionized the genre with his amplified sound. His influential career and innovative style left a lasting legacy on the blues.

1997 Award Recipient

Franz Jackson

Franz Jackson, a jazz and blues legend, bridged New Orleans jazz and Chicago blues, leaving a lasting legacy through his recordings, performances, and mentorship of young musicians.

1996 Award Recipient

Robert Lockwood Jr.

Robert Lockwood Jr., a pioneering blues guitarist mentored by Robert Johnson, fused delta and Chicago blues, leaving a lasting legacy through his recordings and mentorship.

1995 Award Recipient

David “Honeyboy” Edwards

David "Honeyboy" Edwards, a Delta blues legend, preserved traditional blues while inspiring future generations with his emotive guitar work and rich storytelling. His legacy endures.

2004 Award Recipient

Bob Koester

A Luminary of the Blues

Bob Koester, born Robert Gregg Koester on October 30, 1932, in Wichita, Kansas, grew up in a household where music was a constant companion. His parents were amateur musicians, and Koester’s early exposure to music came from their eclectic tastes, ranging from classical to jazz. However, it was the raw and emotive power of blues and jazz that captured his imagination and set him on a path that would significantly impact the American music landscape.

Introduction to Music and Early Influences

Koester’s fascination with blues and jazz deepened during his college years at Saint Louis University. Instead of focusing solely on his studies, he immersed himself in the vibrant music scene of St. Louis. He frequented local record shops and jazz clubs, forming a particular affinity for the works of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and the Delta blues musicians. His burgeoning record collection and passion for the genre soon prompted him to start his own record store, where he could share his discoveries with a wider audience.

Key Moments and Milestones in His Career

In 1958, Koester moved to Chicago, a city synonymous with the blues. It was here that he founded Delmark Records, a label that would become a cornerstone in the history of blues and jazz recording. Koester’s dedication to authenticity and high-quality recordings attracted a roster of legendary artists, including Junior Wells, Otis Rush, and Magic Sam. One of the label’s early successes was the release of Junior Wells’ album Hoodoo Man Blues in 1965, which remains a quintessential blues recording.

Koester’s influence extended beyond his record label. His record store, Jazz Record Mart, became a cultural hub for blues and jazz enthusiasts. It was not just a place to buy records but a gathering spot where musicians, fans, and scholars could discuss and celebrate the music they loved. Koester’s store was instrumental in preserving the legacy of blues and jazz, offering a rich archive of recordings that might otherwise have been lost to time.

Significant Albums, Songs, and Performances

Throughout his career, Koester produced and released numerous seminal albums that have become cornerstones of the blues genre. Apart from Hoodoo Man Blues, Delmark Records is known for Magic Sam’s West Side Soul (1967) and Otis Rush’s Cold Day in Hell (1975). These recordings captured the raw energy and emotional depth of blues, providing a platform for artists to reach a broader audience.

Koester was also involved in the rediscovery and recording of older blues musicians, ensuring that their contributions were documented and appreciated. Albums like Big Joe Williams at Folk City (1962) and Sleepy John Estes in Europe (1966) are testaments to his commitment to preserving the heritage of blues.

Impact on the Blues Genre and Music Industry

Bob Koester’s impact on the blues genre and the music industry is immeasurable. By providing a platform for both emerging and established artists, he played a crucial role in the blues revival of the 1960s and 1970s. His dedication to high-fidelity recording and his insistence on capturing the authentic sound of the artists helped set a standard in the industry.

Koester’s work with Delmark Records ensured that the blues was not only preserved but also evolved. He was instrumental in bringing the genre to new audiences, both in the United States and internationally. His influence can be seen in the careers of countless musicians who found a voice and an audience through his efforts.

Personal Anecdotes or Notable Stories

Koester’s life was filled with anecdotes that highlight his deep connection to the music and the artists he championed. One such story involves his collaboration with Junior Wells. Koester’s decision to record Hoodoo Man Blues in a live setting, with minimal overdubs, was unconventional at the time but resulted in an album that perfectly captured the energy of Wells’ performances.

Another notable story is Koester’s tireless work to keep Jazz Record Mart running, even in the face of financial difficulties. His passion for music and his belief in its importance drove him to make personal sacrifices to ensure that the store and the label continued to thrive.

Legacy and Influence on Future Generations

Bob Koester’s legacy is one of preservation, celebration, and innovation. He helped keep the blues alive during a time when the genre was often overshadowed by other musical trends. His work ensured that future generations could experience the power and beauty of blues and jazz.

Koester passed away on May 12, 2021, but his influence lives on through the music he helped create and the artists he supported. Delmark Records continues to be a vital force in the music industry, and Jazz Record Mart, now operating as Bob’s Blues & Jazz Mart, remains a testament to his lifelong dedication.

In the annals of blues history, Bob Koester’s name stands as a beacon of passion and perseverance, reminding us of the transformative power of music and the importance of preserving its heritage for future generations.

A Poem for Bob

Music Man

Your vision inspires generations of
music giants with exposure.
You present best of the best music
emanating from Souls of Black Folks.
your tiered efforts snatch faces
from damnation and indelibly
etch them on canvasses of the world.

You goodnews the Hoodoo man
to open his veins to recognition and
applauds so everybody can
drink their fills from Junior
Wells or sprinkle Black Magic
Sam cooked goober dust
my broom over their aches.

You goodnews the hoodoo Man.

To bring southside and west
side offerings to the sacred spot
light of the incredible Del
mark in your eyes. Whether
music be blues or jazz
you usher the classic and innovative
voices over the threshold of
your records. Finding a healing
place for lost names.

Goodnewsing the Hoodoo Man.
Goodnewsing the Hoodoo Man.
Goodnewsing the Hoodoo Man.

So my peoples’ name can hang
in the gallery of creativity

And mine can, too.

— Sterling D. Plumpp

Background

BornOctober 30, 1932
Wichita, Kansas, United States
DiedMay 12, 2021 (aged 88)
Occupation(s)Record producer, record store owner
LabelsFounder of Delmark Records