Wayne Baker Brooks, the son of the late blues master Lonnie Brooks, escorted a group of media around music hot spots in the lead up to the American tourism showcase IPW this week – even treating them to a live recording session with Shaun Gotti Calloway (bass) and Ivan Morris (drums) at Landmark Records.
The particular tour was put together for the event, but Baker Brooks points out he can organise a bespoke tour for agents and potentially host a small group in town. ‘If I can’t be here I can make it happen,’ he adds.
The same goes for Julia Miller, CEO of the Delmark Label and Elbio Barilari, artistic director in the business. The group had a tour of Delmark’s HQ, from the display room / reception area through to the recording studios, offices and storage and shipping spaces.
Delmark’s history goes back to 1915 when it started in St Louis, before moving to Chicago in 1958. Miller bought the label in 2018.
She doesn’t consider Delmark a museum but will welcome visitors. ‘We’re a living business, involved in the history of the music, the people and the blues community.
‘The ability to make records in a physical form is something that is transitioning and we want to be part of that and teach young people the skills.’
Another ‘must do’ on a Chicago blues route is Willis Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation – formerly Chess Records. It was once part of Record Row – a long stretch of studios and other music-related businesses but is now the last one standing.
Janine Judge, executive director, gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past but (like Miller) much of her focus is on ensuring blues has the future and recognition and deserves.
Hosting free concerts each Thursday and being involved in the Chicago Blues festival are two ways the foundation does that.
Judge points out that a lot of white artists made big money out of the blues at a time when the original writers and musicians couldn’t even get their faces on the record covers because if their skin colour, and were often barred from performing in clubs for the same reason.
‘It’s time to start honouring the blues artists not only of the past but also the present and the future.’
Blues and baseball
A baseball park may seem a strange place to start a blues music tour – but it makes sense at Wrigley Stadium in Chicago.
The Chicago Cubs have partnered with the blues community of the city to launch a new Chicago Blues jersey and open Landmark Records – a merchandise shop showing off a selection of records (blues artists as well performers of various genres who have toured) alongside team shirts, caps and other items.
From a tourism point of view it makes sense – two Chicago staples easily sampled in the same precinct.
If clients are in the city over summer there’s a good chance there will be a match on at Wrigley Stadium – the Cubs play 162 games with half of them at home each season.
Julia Miller, Delmark
Jacqueline Dixon, Willie Dixon’s daughter; Janine Judge at the Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven
