Memphis Slim
Memphis Slim, born John Len Chatman on September 3, 1915, in Memphis, Tennessee, was an influential American blues pianist, singer, and composer. He was also known by the name Peter Chatman, which he used for his first recordings to honor his father. Memphis Slim's career spanned from the 1930s to the 1980s, during which he became renowned for his contributions to the blues genre.
In the 1930s, Slim performed in various venues across West Memphis, Arkansas, and southeast Missouri. He moved to Chicago in 1939, where he teamed up with guitarist and singer Big Bill Broonzy. His first recordings were made for Okeh Records in 1940, and he later adopted the stage name "Memphis Slim," given to him by Bluebird Records producer Lester Melrose. Slim became a regular session musician for Bluebird, supporting artists like John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson and Washboard Sam.
After World War II, Slim led bands that embraced the jump blues style, featuring saxophones, bass, drums, and piano. He recorded for several labels, including Bluebird, Hy-Tone, and Miracle, achieving commercial success with songs like "Messin' Around," which topped the R&B charts in 1948. His song "Every Day I Have the Blues," first recorded in 1947, became a blues standard covered by numerous artists.
Memphis Slim's legacy extends beyond his recordings; his former home in Memphis now houses the Memphis Slim Collaboratory, a creative hub for musicians. He passed away on February 24, 1988, in Paris, France, and was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989.
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