In this column: music blues spots, juke joints, Journey Proud , Alabama, Henry “Gip” Gipson, GIP Documentary, Patrick Sheehan, Melanie Jeffcoat, Mississippi Jukes, Robert Mugge, Chicago, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Kinston Mines, Rico McFarland, Toronzo Cannon, Rosa’s Lounge, Billy Branch, Sons of Blues, Antone’s Nightclub, Austin, Jimmie Vaughan, B.B. Kings Blues Club, Memphis, Alfred’s On Beale, Sean “Mack” McDonald, The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, Houston, Steve Gilbert, Bethesda Blues and Jazz club, Bethesda, Big Tony and Trouble Funk, Downtown Tavern, Jackson, Rye baby, Terra Blues, New York, David “Doc” French and T Blues Band, Biscuits and Blues, San Fransisco, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, BB’s Jazz, Blues and soups, St. Louis.
Introduction
The second episode continues the story of the juke joints and blues clubs with three documentaries and the description of a number of contemporary American blues clubs.
Journey Proud | Juke Joints in Alabama
The juke joint, its Blues music, culture, and history harken back to a by-gone era. Yet, the music of the Blues is still deeply rooted in tradition and is alive and well in Alabama today; especially in urban areas where it now attracts a broader audience.
Guests: SharBaby, Roger Stephenson, Henry “Gip” Gipson and others. Hosted by Joey Brackner.
Journey Proud is a proud partnership of Alabama Public Television and the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Last Of The Mississippi Jukes
In Robert Mugge's 2003 music documentary, he delves into the vanishing heritage of juke joints, the birthplace of the blues a century ago. These venues remain vital for regional musicians to hone their craft and delight their audiences. The film spotlights iconic establishments like Jimmy King's Subway Lounge in Jackson, MS, and Morgan Freeman's and Bill Luckett's Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, MS.
Last Of The Mississippi Jukes | Blues Unearthed: Exploring Juke Joint Legends | Amplified
GIP's Place; documentary
There are four juke joints left in the United States. On May 4, 2013, the last one in Alabama was raided and shut down. Too many people visited the juke joint and caused too much nuisance in the residential area. But Henry "Gip" Gipson, proprietor of Gip's Place, a gravedigger by day and hard drinking bluesman by night, had no intention of going down without a fight. The film also provides a glimpse into the everyday life of a juke joint owner.
Henry “Gip” Gipson passed away on October 8th, 2019 (99!!).
GIP Documentary; directed by Patrick Sheehan and produced by Melanie Jeffcoat
Buddy Guy’s Legends
A leading name in the Chicago blues scene, Buddy Guy is one of the most celebrated guitarists of all time. Inside Buddy Guy’s Legends, great Cajun and Southern food and an amazing musical lineup. At Blue Chicago in the River North district, bands perform on a platform the size of an area rug. It’s a welcoming, down-home atmosphere with no extravagance, just great music – the late greats Koko Taylor and Magic Slim performed here – seven nights a week.
Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, Illinois.
Kingston Mines
Kingston Mines is a blues nightclub in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. It is the oldest, continuously operating blues club in Chicago.
Kingston Mines showcases blues music ranging from delta blues to Chicago blues.
Blues legends such as Koko Taylor, Carl Weathersby, and Magic Slim have played there. The Kingston Mines has two alternating "headline" performances on its two stages into the early morning. Joanna Connor has played at the club regularly since 2005.
Kingston Mines, 2548 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL.
Rosa’s Lounge
This intimate bar features a few tables and a bar whose bartenders make some killer drinks. No food is served here but you have the option to bring food in, so have food delivered or bring in your own take-out to enjoy during the show. The Blues performers are loved here, and many of them bring high energy to every act.
Rosa’s Lounge, 3420 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, Illinois.
Buddy Guy Bobby Rush Jan 12 2024 Legends Chicago
Rico McFarland Band live at Kingston Mines, Chicago, Friday December 29 2023
Toronzo Cannon – Walk It Off – Kingston Mines, Chicago, Illinois (4/6/2024, second set)
Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues – Live at Rosa’s Lounge – Chicago live stream on 11/09/2024 (compl. show)
Antone’s Nightclub
Clifford Antone was credited with bringing worldwide recognition to Austin’s live music scene as well as helping launch the career of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Although the nightclub moved from its original location and is now co-owned by rock and blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr., Antone’s is still an Austin institution.
Antone’s Nightclub, 305 E 5th St., Austin, Texas.
Jimmie Vaughan – Roll, Roll, Roll | Antone’s Nightclub (July 17, 2021)
B.B. King’s Blues Club
Home of the blues and world-famous Beale Street. In the B.B. King’s Blues Club you are treated to some of the greatest blues, rock and soul music around – the Southern food and Memphis barbecue is tasty, too.
B.B. King’s Blues Club, 143 Beale St, Memphis, Tennessee.
Alfred's On Beale
Memphis is the “Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock N Roll” and Alfred's keeps that tradition alive by featuring a variety of music including dance bands, acoustic bands, solo artists, and even karaoke. Alfred's is also the proud home of the Memphis Jazz Orchestra, a 17 piece big band which is featured every Sunday night.
Alfred's On Beale, 197 Beale St, Memphis, Tennessee
Live Music at BB Kings Blues Club in Memphis
After-hours Jam at Alfred’s on Beale during the IBCs in Memphis, featuring Sean “Mack” McDonald on guitar
The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club
The Big Easy keeps Houston's blues and zydeco scene vibrant and fertile. The focus here is on local artists, living legends who routinely draw capacity crowds. The club's intimacy offer patrons the chance to get up close and personal with the artists.
The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, 5731 Kirby Dr, Houston, Texas.
Steve Gilbert – “Overnight Bag” – Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club – Houston TX – March 1, 2024
Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club
The Supper Club serves Creole and American dishes in the ambiance of a historic art deco theater and surprises you with top-class blues and jazz music.
Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, Maryland.
Big Tony & Trouble Funk @ Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club
Downtown Tavern
In Jackson, home of the Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival, Sonny Boy Williamson, Carl Perkins and Big Maybell and other blues greats, check out grunge blues band Ruacamole and others at the Downtown Tavern. Then stop by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for a lesson on music fusion.
Downtown Tavern, 208 N Liberty St., Jackson, Tennessee
Rye Baby at the Downtown Tavern (6/1/18)
Terra Blues
An authentic Blues club in New York. Terra Blues has a laid-back atmosphere that draws blues fans in nightly. The saloon has a second floor with view of Bleecker Street in the heart of Greenwich Village. For 30 years, the saloon has welcomed many performers from New York and abroad. Hubert Sumlin, Little Milton, Magic Slim, James Carr, the Holmes Brothers, Phillip Walker, and Johnny Clyde Copeland are among the many who have graced the stage at Terra Blues.
Terra Blues, 149 Bleecker St, New York, NY.
Terra Blues, New York City – Thursday Night Blues: David “Doc” French and T Blues Band (Oct. 21, 2022)
Biscuits and Blues
Biscuits and Blues has always committed to providing blues fans of all ages with a comfortable, intimate and exciting venue to enjoy fantastic live blues music in tandem with outstanding Southern Cuisine. They are one of the top blues clubs in the nation. We offer San Francisco’s best in national and regional blues acts while showcasing award winning Southern cuisine.
Biscuits and Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco, California.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – ‘Catfish Blues” Jan 16th, 2016 at Biscuits and Blues
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups (temporarily closed; 2024)
This venue is a popular hangout for musicians after their own gigs. So you never know who might show up for an informal jam session. You'll hear anything from a solo acoustic performance to a full-on electric band. The great in-house video system lets you see what's going on onstage, no matter where you're sitting.
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups, 700 S Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri
Live From BBS Episode 2
Note
When checking the addresses, I was repeatedly confronted with the fact that the club in question was closed. I have left out those clubs, even though they are still mentioned on the internet.