WORKSHOP (original) (raw)
Musical Director - Bob Margolin
Born in 1949, I was just the right age to learn from and play with the departed masters of Delta and Chicago Blues. Now I pay it forward to young musicians who create their own Blues music today and for the future. My experience playing guitar in Muddy Waters’ band in the 1970s, as a bandleader and recording artist since, and as the first instructor of the Pinetop Foundation’s guitar workshops all lead me to my new job as Musical Director.
I’ll ramble through the piano, harmonica, and guitar workshops and impart the how’s and why’s of “playing well with others.” I’ll tell personal stories, more than history, about the Blues legends who are my friends — from Muddy and Pinetop to Stevie Ray to today’s Blues stars. I’ll meet, jam, and socialize with the workshoppers to help them find their own Blues and get what they want from the classes and our real Blues Club concert at the famous Ground Zero Club in Clarksdale.
I will make “Music Director” more than being Principal not Professor. I’m available to any workshoppers for a private lesson or discussion of any aspect of creating or performing Blues music that intrigues YOU. I’ve been on the road a long time and seen everything twice. When you get to a crossroads, I hope I can point toward…the direction that’s right for you.
It’s a thrill and honor for me to be teacher, collaborator, and friend with the workshoppers and their families. The Clarksdale Blues ghosts smile down on all of us.
Special Guest At Large - Bob Stroger
Bob Stroger’s fascination with Chicago Blues started when he lived in the back of a night club where Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters often played. Stroger taught himself how to play the bass guitar, and eventually started a band with his brother and cousin called the Red Top which was known for their unique jazz sound. Stroger also played with Willie Kent in Joe Russel and the Blues Hustlers.
With the help of Eddie King, Stroger began playing Blues and R&B music with a band known as Eddie King and the Kingsmen. Careers took off and for 15 years, Stroger played blues with a passion that sparked thousands of fans.
During his 39-year career has played with a long list of blues legends that include Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Sunnyland Slim, Louisiana Red, Homesick James and Snooky Pryor, among others. He recorded Keepin’ It Together with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, son of the legendary Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.
Acoustic Guitar - Doug MacLeod
Doug MacLeod is an international recording and touring artist with 32 recordings to his credit. He has done master guitar workshops in the U.S. and Europe including The International Blues Challenge and Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch.
Doug is a multiple Blues Music Award winner with 4 Acoustic Artist Of The Year Awards. He recorded 101* Blues Guitar Essentials for Music Gurus and has new instructional videos coming in 2023 for Guitar By Masters.
Doug likes to say that he teaches tools not licks so the student can find his own musical voice and express the feeling that lives behind the notes.
After a workshop with Doug MacLeod the student comes away with not only a whole new batch of tools, but with an insight to the music, and its philosophy that could only be learned by a man who had been there. Plus, the students have fun. With his stories and sense of humor the students come to find that Doug is an engaging teacher as he is a performer.
Harmonica -Bob Corritore
Harmonica player Bob Corritore was born in Chicago on September 27, 1956, Bob fell in love with the blues after hearing Muddy Waters on the radio. He immediately started collecting blues albums, and at age 13, started learning harmonica.
Once old enough to get into the blues clubs, Bob befriended many of the harmonica legends and developed his skill set and sound directly at the feet of the masters. At the age of 22 Bob Corritore produced his very first album by unsung harmonica master Little Willie Anderson. Many blues album productions followed. Bob also started his long running Blues Radio Show in 1984, and opened up his legendary blues club, the Rhythm Room in 1991.
Bob’s harmonica sound is unmistakably traditional Chicago and he’s been a highly celebrated spokesman for the instrument with over 30 album releases, years of touring, numerous awards and accolades, and hosting various master classes and seminars over the years. Bob Corritore has performed and recorded with the late Pinetop Perkins. He is also a part of a group called The Bobs Of The Blues which features two other workshop instructors, Bob Margolin and Bob Stroger.
He looks forward to sharing his 55 years of harmonica experience with his students. In addition to providing instruction on technique and playing strategy, Bob will also offer his advice, and philosophies. Bob looks forward to celebrating the magic of the harmonica with the next generation of the Pinetop Perkins workshop students!
Piano -Ben Levin
Ben Levin is a pianist/vocalist based in Cincinnati, OH. Ben has released five albums on the Vizztone Label Group and has three Blues Music Award nominations including best piano player of the year (2023, 2024). Ben's 2024 release "Ben Levin Presents A Holiday Blues Revue", featured collaborations with blues legends Lil' Ed, Lil' Jimmy Reed, and Sonny Hill, as well as Grammy nominated vocalist Candice Ivory.
"I have been an intern for the piano workshop for three years, and I'm honored to be returning as the instructor. Throughout the week we'll discuss playing rhythm, soloing, and accompanying vocalists. We'll analyze classic recordings from blues piano masters such as Pinetop Perkins and Otis Spann, and learn about the role of piano players in a blues band. We'll also discuss some of the great history and culture surrounding blues piano. I am excited to work with you all!"
Electric Guitar -Johnny Burgin
Johnny Burgin is one of the hardest working and well recognized traditional Chicago blues artists today. Since his start in the 90s on Chicago’s West Side with blues singer Taildragger, he has become a leading blues attraction throughout the United States and Europe. Johnny is a Delmark recording artist with 6 CDs to his credit, including his critically acclaimed release, “Greetings from Greaseland”, of which Chicago Blues Guide said, “plays out like a great set of live blues, as authentic as it will ever get”. He is also in demand as a session player and has recorded with many blues greats including Billy Boy Arnold, Taildragger, Paul DeLay, Jimmy Burns, Andre Williams, Eddie Taylor Jr., and Jimmy Lee Robinson.
Johnny Burgin grew up in Starkville MS and Greenville SC, and while he was still in high school, got to see many touring blues bands such as Guitar Jr, Gatemouth Brown and Eddie Clearwater. He went to University of Chicago with the intention of becoming a writer, but a different path unfolded and he fell headfirst into the Chicago blues scene. After learning from the masters by touring with such artists as Pinetop Perkins and Howlin’ Wolf drummer Sam Lay, he put his own band together. Johnny has played the Chicago blues festival many times, toured Europe regularly, and has headlined festivals and clubs all over the US.
Johnny is also an accomplished teacher, hosting blues guitar workshops worldwide. With his incredible knowledge of blues history, we are very excited to have Johnny join us on the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass staff this year.
Electric Guitar - Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller is a well-seasoned, multi-instrumentalist hailing from Kansas City, MO. With over 25 years of playing as a guitarist, Brandon has a vast knowledge of blues, rock, country and jazz. Brandon began as a self taught musician and later studied in college. Brandon currently tours with his wife, Danielle Nicole, as well as his own rock trio.
Brandon’s history of the blues started as a teenager when diving into the British Blues. Peter Green, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeck Beck sparked the fire that led him to discover the originators of blues guitar such as Freddie King, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and BB King. The raw emotion that these musicians were able to capture through their instrument as their own voice is what drew Brandon closer and closer to the blues.
Brandon has taught “Blues In The Schools” with the Kansas City Blues Society as well as being a part of several workshops during the International Blues Challenge week in Memphis, TN. Brandon believes that every person and musician has their own voice. His goal is to give younger artists the tools and opportunities to have their voice be heard.
Drums - Tony Braunagel
Tony Braunagel is an award winning drummer, producer and songwriter from Houston, TX now based in Los Angeles, CA. Braunagel has played on many film scores and television shows as well as numerous albums as a musician, composer and producer. He is best known as a session drummer and/or percussionist of over 200 albums including those of Otis Rush, Eric Burdon, Johnny Nash, Coco Montoya, Lucky Peterson, as well as Grammy winning albums of Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy (percussion) and for performing live with dozens of music icons including Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, BB King, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Bette Midler, Lyle Lovett, and Taj Mahal to name just a few.
Like many of his musical forbears, he didn’t start out with formal training, but rather learned by playing and only became a student of technique later on. He loves the authenticity of the drumming styles of this great American music. He believes the best way to create one’s own Blues and R&B sound is to first master the traditional forms and styles, and then turn it into one’s own style.
At Clarksdale, he will teach authentic rhythmic variations, as well as offer the opportunity to listen to the original practitioners of the genre and share what he has learned about where these musical forms came from and how they have evolved. He will stress how valuable it is to make the music feel great and serve the artist. His producing and extensive recording experience will also offer insights on how to make a drum kit sound good.
Tony is looking forward to this experience in Clarksdale, and is sure it will start some new enduring friendships.
Drums - Lee Williams
Lee Williams is the backbone of the Clarksdale music scene, drumming with several different bands in town. Lee started his musical career at the youth programs held at the Delta Blues Museum, where he participated for many years.
Today, Lee is one of the mentors of the programs and gives back to Clarksdale youth, helping to share the rich musical and cultural history of the area.
Never a flashy front man, Lee is always steady with his beat and finds his groove easily. He has been a valued supporter of the Pinetop Perkins Foundation for many years.
Bass - Danielle Nicole
I’ve been playing bass professionally for over 20 years. I found the Blues through my Father who fell in love with it first through Johnny Winter and Muddy Waters. I began playing bass in a band with my brothers called Trampled Under Foot; we played what we called Heavy Blues. I learned by ear from listening to Willie Dixon, James Jamerson, Carole Kaye and Donald Dunn without knowing it at the time. Session players were on everything and a lot weren’t credited.
As a vocalist I grew up singing to Aretha, Whitney, Mariah, Stevie, Janis, even Barbara but in Blues, I was obsessed primarily with Etta James, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King most of my adolescence. The thumping lines and jumping styles throughout the story of the vocals has always been fascinating and magnetizing to me.
As a vocalist, bassist and songwriter, accurately telling and supporting the story of the song is very important to me. I’m excited to teach from my direct experience, and learn from the youth about what they want to know and not only speak about implementing different styles but also playing what’s appropriate for the song and story and why.
Bass - Heather Crosse
I am Heather Crosse, Blues musician. I have been singing for 33 years and playing bass for 20 years. In my bass career I started out backing old Blues mentors and they passed on- leaving me holding the torch! So, I have now fronted my own Soul Blues band, Heavy Suga’ & The SweeTones, as lead singer & bass player for 10 years. I also became a Ruf Records recording artist in 2014 releasing my debut solo album, “Groovin’ At The Crosse Roads” and tour Europe and USA, so far, representing Clarksdale and carrying on the legacy.
When I moved to Clarksdale I became a music teacher. I have done Blues In The Schools in Helena, AR. and Hot Springs, AR., was the director of an after school music program at Tutwiler, MS. Community Education Center where I gave bass, guitar, and piano lessons and formed a kid band out of the students for 5 years. I was also the music teacher at St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Clarksdale for 2 years, Bass/Voice Instructor at Guitar Center in Little Rock, AR. and give private music lessons. I have also worked as the bass player at other music workshops here at Shack Up Inn, Jon Gindick’s Harmonica Jam Camp, Guitar & Bass Workshops and Singer/Songwriter Workshops, 3 times a year for 6 years as the “jam with the band experience” and recording your song demos.
I have had such diverse teaching experiences that I am well-rounded in knowledge and quite a unique spontaneous teacher. My goal for this workshop is to explore the bass player’s important job in the band and working with the drummer to provide a unit of support. I have had the honor of playing bass for Blues greats Bob Margolin, Super Chikan, Charlie Musslewhite, Jody Williams, Fiona Boyes, Terry “Big T” Williams and Monster Mike Welch & Mike Leadbetter and more.
Blues is my passion and I love sharing it! I will do this the rest of my life!
Candice Ivory - Vocals
Candice Ivory is a world-renowned, Grammy-nominated vocalist as well as the creator of the genre Avant Soul. She was born near Memphis, TN, to a family steeped in the musical traditions of the Mississippi Delta. Several family members belonged to prominent gospel groups such as the Salem Harmonizers, and her great-uncle Will Roy Sanders was an internationally known blues singer. With Sanders’s encouragement, Ivory began performing professionally at 14, singing in jazz and blues bands led by Beale Street legends Billy Gibson, Calvin Newborn, and Charlie Wood. Ivory also joined the famed Memphis band CYC, whose members later worked with Justin Timberlake, Bobby “Blue” Bland, the Gamble Brothers Band, Tinsley Ellis, and the New Memphis Hepcats.
After attending Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead residency at the Kennedy Center at age 18, Ivory continued her musical education at the New School University in New York, studying voice with Miles Griffith, Janet Lawson, Richard Harper, and Junior Mance, while taking composition lessons with Cecil Bridgewater. By 21, Ivory had recorded her debut album, path – undefined. She composed all the music on path – undefined, a practice that she would follow on her subsequent albums, Questography and Love Music.
In October 2023, Ivory released When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie, a highly acclaimed collaboration with guitarist Charlie Hunter. In addition to being nominated for a Best Emerging Artist Award at the Blues Music Awards, Ivory was named the recipient of the 2024 Sean Costello Rising Award (Blues Blast).