Larry Hill Taylor: Stepson of the Blues: News

Larry sat in with his uncle Jimmy Burns and guitarist Rockin' Johnny at BLUES on Halsted Jan. 29, the birthday of Larry's late stepfather, guitarist Eddie Taylor. 

"Larry Taylor is the real deal. He is steeped in what Robert Palmer calls "deep blues." He is able to go into the blues landscape that people associate with the likes of Howlin' Wolf and Elmore James.  His timing is impeccable, and his vernacular is clear, passionate and persuasive."

   --Chicago African American poet and essayist Sterling D. Plumpp after hearing Larry Taylor's album They Were in This House ), Oct. 18, 2011

Sterling D. Plumpp, poet and essayist, was born to a sharecropping family in Clinton, MS, in 1940. Living 10 miles from school and wanting for a school bus, he spent less than a year in elementary studies. Nevertheless, when his family moved to Jackson, he graduated high school as class valedictorian. He moved to Chicago in 1962, spent two years in college and two in the military, then worked at the post office, before finding his niche in the University of Illinois faculty, 1971-2001, in the African American Studies and English departments.

 

 Plumpp won a million dollars in the Illinois lottery, which has allowed him to travel and continue his writing. His books include Ornate with Smoke, Black Rituals, and Blues Narratives. He edited Somehow We Survive, a collection of South African writing, and taught in the master of fine arts program at Chicago State University during the mid 2000s. In 2003 Third World Press published his poetry collection, Velvet BeBop Kentecloth.  Plumpp listens to live jazz and blues and knows the musicians; his poetry follows these musical rhythms. He was a featured elder speaker at the Dominican University Blues and Spirit symposia in 2008 and 2010.

larry joined howlin wolf stepdaughters Bettye and Barbra and mc Dick Shurman talking about the history howlin Wolf on a panel at the Chicago blues Fest on june 10th.he told about how his mom Vera Hill Taylor would cook greens for Wolf when he visited their house. Larry own tunes are base on Howlin Wolf music.

    

Demetria Taylor, youngest daughter of Eddie and Vera Taylor and Larry's kid sister, kicked off her Delmark Records career May 20 2011 with her CD "Bad Girl."  A solid traditional Chicago blues performance with her own style, the record includes her brother Eddie Taylor Jr. and well-known musicians like Eddie Shaw, Big Time Sarah, Billy Branch. Roosevelt Purifoy "Mad Hatter," a standout on Larry's CD, played piano and organ on the record. Mike Wheeler led Demetria's band for the evening, and guests included many of 'Metria's fellow divas as well as brother Larry and guitarists Vance Kelly and Linsey Alexander.

In a space of three weeks in March 2011, we've lost three great blues elders: Eddie Kirkland (who often played with Larry's uncle Eddie Burns in Detroit); guitar and mandolin player and singer Big Jack Johnson; and Pinetop Perkins. Larry was part of a show honoring Pinetop sponsored by Brother Rob and the Christian Parish in South Bend, IND in 2004, and Pinetop attended Larry's CD release party at Rosa's Lounge in May 2004. This picture shows Larry with Pinetop the weekend of the Handy Awards in Memphis in  May 2004.  The passing of the elders makes it even more important to recognize Larry's generation of blues artists while they are still younger and have the power of the music at hand.

St. Patrick's Day means the biggest party of the year in southwest Chicago, and Larry Taylor and Killer Ray Allison had folks of all ages and backgrounds dancing in the aisles Thursday March 17 at Favia Cafe. Thanks to Gina and Cathy at the Cafe for putting on hosting us. Members of Southsiders for Peace, Unity and Diversity and friends from the Beverly Bakery joined us for the celebration. Located by the Metra tracks at 107th and Hale, Favia is a place where people meet, greet and eat!

http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/chicagoscene/wgntv-chicago-scene-bonni-mckeown-stepson-of-the-blues-a-chicago-song-of-survival,0,4588599.story

WGN's Steve Sanders interviews Larry and Bonni on the Midday News,  before Larry's St. Patrick's Day gig with Killer Ray Allison at Favia Cafe.

Oak Park Library talk excerpts, YouTube: see under LINKS: VIDEOS.

Chicago area libraries and community centers from all the way south at West Pullman to west at West Chicago and Oak Park, have been hosting the co-authors of Larry Hill Taylor’s autobiography, Stepson of the Blues: A Chicago Song of Survival, for African American History Month 2011.

  Jan. 29,  Blackstone Library,   Feb. 5, College of Complexes,  at  Lincoln Restaurant,   Feb. 7, North Austin Library,  on North Avenue;  Feb. 9,  Brainerd Library and W. Englewood;  Feb. 10, Forest Park Library; Feb. 16,  Legler library,  Feb.18,  4^th Graders Talk at Douglass Library; Feb. 20, 3 p.m., Blue Island Library;  Feb. 23,  Oak Park Library; Feb. 24,  W Chicago Library; Feb. 26, W. Pullman Library, Feb. 27,  Beverly Art Center,  Feb. 28, Monday 5:30 p.m., Wrightwood-Ashburn Library. March 1, Tuesday 6 p.m., Back of Yards Library, 4650 S. Damen, Chicago IL 60609

Because of the blizzard, three days of the tour were rescheduled and continued into March:  March 3, Walker Library,  March 8, Tuesday 6:30 p.m., Bellwood Library,  March 9, Wednesday, 6 p.m, Bezazian

The tour resulted in some nice hometown reports like this one from the Garfield/Lawndale/Austin Voice:

http://thevoicenewspapers.blogspot.com/2011/02/larry-taylor-brings-stepson-of-blues.html

http://www.austinweeklynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=3152&TM=54413.81

 

 This week Larry got a hometown writeup in the Austin Weekly News, and engaged in thoughtful discussions at the Oak Park Library and West Chicago. People in Oak Park pondered what it's like to grow up with gangs all through your neighborhood. People in West Chicago debated whether blues are always sad. To which Larry answered a resounding NO: blues are about whatever you're feeling!

 

http://forestparkreview.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=38&ArticleID=5524&TM=53096.64

In a story by Jean Lotus who attended the Stepson of the Blues talk at Forest Park Library Feb. 10,  Larry criticized the predominantly white blues industry which ignores his generation of African American blues men and women while promoting imitators from other cultures.  He also took Buddy Guy, a well promoted blues guitarist, to task for failing to promote fellow Black artists.

"Buddy Guy thinks when him and B.B. King die, the blues is gonna die. But it's not.," Larry said. He quote the great blues composer, bass man and arranger  Willie Dixon: "Blues is the root, the rest is the fruit."

HENRY CHEATHAM, substituting for the legendary Pervis Spann, interviewed Larry on his Jan. 22 2011 Saturday night blues show. ( For Link see "Calendar" under "Past Dates." ) They talked about music in Mississippi and Chicago, and played some of the songs from Larry's CD They Were in This House. 

http://www.wolfrec.com/webshop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_22&sort=20a&page=2

Wolf Records, the Austrian label famous for West Side blues and other roots music, has reissued Larry Taylor's CD, They Were in This House, adding some songs sung by Larry on the label's own earlier recordings.  It has already been played on many radio and internet stations around the world. CDs and downloads are available on the Wolf site.

 

A word of thanks to our photographers:  James Fraher for the  2004 cover shot for Larry's album They Were in This House, outside the apartment building where he grew up at 1131 S. Mozart Street; Dusty Scott for the closeup of Larry singing in Marietta, Ohio in 2006; and Susan McAndrew for  her 1999 meditative shot of Larry on the Stepson of the Blues cover.

The New York based artist support group Fractured Atlas has profiled Stepson of the Blues, the autobiography of Chicago bluesman Larry Taylor.  In an interview with Fractured Atlas, Bonni talks about her fund raising efforts as an independent publisher on Peaceful Patriot Press.  Find out how you can support her project, tax deductible!  Fractured Atlas also helps artists with insurance and other business matters.

Click on "Photos" in this website!  The nose you see buried in the book Stepson of the Blues may be your own! And if you haven't got a book yet, you can order one under "Buy Book,Cds."

An independent Hyde Park bookstore with a great urban and African-American section, 57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., Chicago, now carries Stepson of the Blues!  Check on their store hours at http://www.semcoop.indiebound.com/about  and pick up your copy whenever you're in town.

Or you can still buy it on the web, right here at our "Buy" section!

Co-author Bonni McKeown was on hand for the Chicago Blues Fest June 11-13, 2010, to sell and autograph Larry's autobiography, Stepson of the Blues: A Chicago Song of Survival,, published by Peaceful Patriot Press, at the Maxwell Street Foundation tent. She joined other Maxwell Street historians including Peter Pero, author of Italians at Work.    

Larry's autobiography, Stepson of the Blues: A Chicago Song of Survival, from Peaceful Patriot Press, was first offered for sale by the co-authors at the  Blues and the Spirit Symposium June 9-10, 2010 at Dominican University in River Forest IL. For latest symposium activities see  http://www.dom.edu/blues

April 30 2010: Guest with Chicago School of Blues assembly at Donoghue Elementary School, 37th & Cottage Grove, Chicago: featuring Killer Ray Allison, Abb Locke,CC Copeland, West Side Wes, Gloria Shannon, Barrelhouse Bonni

March 6, 2010: Sam's Uptown Cafe, Charleston, WV
Chicago School of blues challenged Charleston and the folks were up for it. In front of a crowd of all ethnics and ages, State Del. Meesha Poore sat in with Ray for "Call Tyrone" and "Proud Mary." Larry and Ray closed the show together with 'Still Called the Blues." Larry thanks Killer Ray Allison, CC Copeland

March 5, 2010: CSB at Simpson U.Methodist Church, Charleston, WV
A diverse audience showed up at Simpson Church for a Chicago School of Blues program featuring WV musical history and Chicago blues.

March 4, 2010: CSB atWV State College, Institute, WV
Terrific show featuring Charleston area horn players Bob Redd, trumpet, and Dugan Carter, sax. Historian and retired bass player Rabbit Jones was honored by WV first lady of R&B/blues Doris Fields, who sat in for a song. The band was in rare form, led by Killer Ray Allison on guitar, with CC Copeland on bass, West Side Wes on drums, Barrelhouse Bonni piano.

February 2, 2010: Buddy Guys, drums with Harmonica Hinds, Chicago
August 15, 2009: Nick's Beer Garden, Chicago ,drums w/ Harmonica Hinds & Eddie Taylor Jr

August 1, 2009: Rep.Danny Davis fundraiser Chicago
Rep. Davis and guests enjoy Larry's band of West Siders led by Bruce, Jerry and Wes, plus Floyd, Duke and Mike. Larry leads the band through the songs of Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, and James Brown. Red Carpet guests toured the colorful Rubin and Murphy/Hill art galleries.

July 18, 2009: Rooster Blues, with Taildragger, Chicago

July 10, 2009: Nick's Beer Garden with Eddie Taylor Jr.Chicago

February 20, 2009: Antioch School w/ Vernon Harrington, Antioch IL

January 17, 2009: Taste Entertainment,Chicago Blues bus tour

August 17, 2008: Bottling Works Blues BBQ Romney WV
August 16, 2008: Morgan Co.Arts Cncl, Berkeley Sprngs WV
August 15, 2008: Snowshoe Blues Brews BBQ Snowshoe WV
August 14, 2008: American Legion Post 57 Charleston WV

July 5, 2008: Buddy Guy's Legends Chicago

June 6, 2008: Chicago Blues Fest Chicago
June 5-6, 2008: Guest of Killer Ray Allison, Checkerboard Lounge Chicago

May 24, 2008: Blues & Spirit Symposium panel,Dominican U. River Forest
May 23, 2008: Rosa's Lounge, Chicago IL
May 22, 2008: Blues & Spirit Symposium band leader,Dominican U., River Forest IL

May 17, 2008: Guest of Killer Ray Allison at Wabash Tap, Chicago

December 31, 2007: Harrah Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, IN

August 16-17, 2007: Blue Note, special guest of Bobby Dixon, Dublin, Ireland

August 11, 2007: Bay fest train w/ Maurice John Vaughn, Duluth, MN

July 21, 2007 Master Musicians Festival playing for Honeyboy Edwards Somerset KY
"Son, you're doin' the blues," Honeyboy Edwards told Larry Taylor at the Master Musicians Fest. The last well known Delta guitarist from the Robert Johnson era, Honeyboy usually plays solo or with manager Michael Franks (harp), but at the fest Michael decided to add Larry on drums and Aron Burton on bass. All the bluesmen, and the crowd, enjoyed the result! Larry stood up from the drums, greeted the crowd, and drummed and sang "Hoochie Coochie Man." Both he and Honey signed CDs for the eager, respectful fans of America's roots music.

July 15, 2007: Juniors Sports Lounge w/ Eddie Taylor Jr, Chicago

June 24, 2007: Reynolds Lounge, S.Side, Chicago

June 21-22, 2007 SummerFest,special guest Maurice John Vaughn, Camp Spring and Upper Marlboro, MD

June 16-17, 2007: Maxwell St block party and juniors sports bar, Chicago

June 9, 2007 Great Lakes Blues Summit,Rt 66 Tent, Chicago Blues Fest Chicago

June 8, 2007 Honeyboy Edwards 92nd Birthday w/ Rob Stone at Hideout, Chicago
June 8, 2007 Chi Fest History panel 1977 Berlin Tour w/ Jim ONeal and guest singer with Vernon & Joe Harrington

April 14, 2007 DC Blues Society panel & show Washington, DC
April 13, 2007 Bottling Works w/ Mike Baytop, Barrelhouse Bonni Romney WV

February 25, 2007 UU Congregation, Charleston WV
February 18, 2007: Charleston Friends (Quakers) "Why I Get the Blues"
Feb. 11, 2007: Kanawha County WV Public Library w/Barrelhouse Bonni

October 14, 2006: W.Dixon Wang Dang Doodle Fest, Vicksburg MS
July 14, 2006: Harold Washington Library, Speaking of Blues, Chicago

April 30, 2006: American Legion Post 57, Charleston WV
April 29, 2006: New Blue PArrot, Charleston WV
April 28, 2006: Vandalia Lounge, Charleston WV

April 15, 2006: Bill's Blues, Evanston IL
January 6, 2006: Bill's Blue,,Evanston IL

December 16, 2005: House of Blues w/ Eddie Taylor Jr,Chicago

December 11, 2005: Larry's 50th birthday at Vern's lounge, Chicago

October 29, 2005: House of Blues BackPorch stage, Chicago

September 17, 2005: Downtown Octoberfest, Oak Park IL

September 6, 2005: Buddy Guys Legends,Chicago IL

July 30, 2005: House of Blues Back Porch stage,, Chicago I
July 29, 2005:Navy Pier Beer Garden, Chicago
June 24, 2005: Blues Brews BBQ Fest, U. of Charleston, Charleston WV
June 10, 2005: Chicago Blues Fest: singer with Taylor family. Plaque was awarded to family from Blues Foundation, at Larry's request, in honor of Eddie Taylor Sr.'s induction to Blues Hall of Fame 1987