Bob Corritore Blues News : Little Walter Photos, Bukka White, Passings Herb Ellis and Ray Hoff

A Night with Little Walter, Cambridge, 1964! Rare Little Walter Photos!
Thanks to Dave Luxton & Al Thompson for sharing some rare photos of Little Walter taken in 1964 at the Alley Club in Cambridge, England. Some of these images first appeared in the booklet of the grammy winning Little Walter / The Complete Chess Masters (1950 – 1967) on Hip-O Select, but some are previously unseen. To see these photos, and to hear the full story click here.

Little Walter

RIP Herb Ellis, August 4, 1921 – March 28, 2010
Jazz guitarist Herb Ellis always had a blues sensibility to his fine playing. In the words of the New York Times “Herb Ellis, a jazz guitarist whose polished, blues-inflected playing earned him critical acclaim as an outstanding soloist and worldwide recognition as a member of the pianist Oscar Peterson’s trio, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.” Ellis recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Stuff Smith, Stan Getz, and of course Oscar Peterson. Ellis’ co-wrote the jazz classic “Detour Ahead” which was most notably covered by Billie Holiday. To read the full New York Times obit, click here.

RIP Ray Hoff, December 29, 1942 – March 19, 2010
Gil Onyett reports on the passing of Australian blues/roots rock musician Ray Hoff. In Gil’s own words; “Australia lost another rock ‘n’ roll/rhythm ‘n’ blues legend with the passing of Ray Hough, who recorded as Ray Hoff. He made some recordings in the ’60s as Ray Hoff & The Offbeats. Hoff’s only subsequent recording, “Loud, Dirty, ‘n’ Rockin’, appeared in 2000, and was produced by Australian rockabilly star Red Rivers”. To read more about Ray Hoff, click here.

Bukka White on YouTube!
Please enjoy this great film clip of Bukka White singing and playing “Got Sick And Tired”. Bukka’s tough voice, insistently percussive guitar style, and passionate delivery make him one of the greatest champions of country blues. Note that Howlin’ Wolf and Son House are in the background of this film. Enjoy the clip :