Name: John Primer & Steve Bell w/ Kim Field
Start: 2025-08-29T12:00:00-07:00
Location: 2007 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR, United States, Oregon 97202

$John Primer & Steve Bell w\/ Kim Field$

Doors - 6:30pm
Show - 7pm
Tickets - $20
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Artichoke Music presents an unforgettable evening of blues and conversation with John Primer and Steve Bell—two world-renowned artists celebrated for keeping traditional blues alive and thriving.
(For fans of Muddy Waters, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmie Vaughan)
The night kicks off with a powerful live set led by John Primer, a legendary bluesman and former member of the iconic Muddy Waters Band. With soulful vocals, masterful guitar work, and undeniable stage presence, John delivers the kind of feel-good energy only the blues can bring.
Woven throughout the performance is a rare and intimate on-stage interview, moderated by blues writer, historian, and musician Kim Field. Between songs, Kim joins John and Steve for a candid conversation that offers a personal, behind-the-scenes look into the heart and soul of Chicago blues.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering the blues for the first time, this evening promises an inspiring mix of music, stories, and pure blues mojo.
John Primer has undisputedly helped build the sound and style of Chicago blues as we know it today. The echoes of tradition bellowing from the birthplaces he played such as Maxwell Street, Theresa's, Checkerboard and Rosa's Lounges, pulse from every chord in his fingers today. John Primer is a 3 time Grammy Nominated, Blues Hall of Fame, Chicago Blues, Living Legend.
Growing up on Mississippi sharecropper land in 1945, inspired by his family’s hard work and field songs daily, deep devotion to spirituals on Sundays, and blues on Saturdays. John dreamed of one day playing with the legendary Muddy Waters!
Moving to Chicago in 1963, he started on that path of becoming a great bluesman, getting his first steady gig working for tips at the legendary Maxwell Street in Chicago on Sunday's with the Pat Rushing Band. He quickly became noticed and was hired at the famous Theresa’s Lounge working for The Junior Wells Band (the house band), seven nights a week for seven years! John was taught by all the Master's of the blues. He worked hard and impressed Willie Dixon enough to go on tour with him and his Chicago Blues All-Stars Band. At this point he was known, and John's dream finally came true in late 1979 when he got to play with his idol, Muddy Waters! Muddy called for him to lead his band and changed his life forever. John was touring all over the world and opening up the show for the Rolling Stones and meeting and playing with many famous Blues and Rock & Roll musicians. After Muddy’s untimely death in 1983, he joined up with Magic Slim & The Teardrops for the next 13 years, traveling all over the world, bringing Chicago Blues to every corner of the planet. Many people had never heard Blues before!
John paid his dues and in 1995 he began leading his own band, The Real Deal Blues Band. He has recorded more than 100 albums with 17 albums in his own name. He has written and produced more than 55 songs on more than 6 record labels including his own, Blues House Productions. John was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, has earned 3 Grammy Award nominations, was given 2 Lifetime Achievement Awards, awarded the "Muddy Award" for being a Traditional Blues Icon, winning several Blues Music Awards and Blues Blast Awards as well as many other awards. Coming from very humble beginnings, he has managed to work very hard to get where he is today. He takes pride in mentoring so many incredible musicians. He is keeping the blues alive and is a Legendary Blues Icon!
https://www.johnprimerblues.com/home