Otis Spann
Otis Spann (March 21, 1924, or 1930 – April 24, 1970) was an influential American blues musician, widely regarded as the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist. Born in either Belzoni or Jackson, Mississippi, Spann was the son of Josephine Erby, a guitarist who collaborated with notable artists like Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith, and his stepfather, Frank Houston Spann, was a preacher and musician. Spann began playing piano at the age of seven, receiving guidance from local musicians including Friday Ford and Little Brother Montgomery.
By the age of 14, Spann was performing in bands around Jackson, Mississippi. He relocated to Chicago in 1946, where he was mentored by Big Maceo Merriweather. Spann became a key member of Muddy Waters' band in 1952, contributing to many of Waters' iconic recordings such as "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Got My Mojo Working." Spann's career also included solo projects and collaborations with other blues legends like Bo Diddley and Howlin' Wolf.
Spann recorded for several labels, including Chess Records, where he released singles like "It Must Have Been the Devil." He was involved in various recording sessions throughout his career, including collaborations with artists such as Eric Clapton and James Cotton. Spann's notable albums include "The Blues Is Where It's At" and "The Bottom of the Blues," which featured contributions from his wife, Lucille Spann.
Otis Spann passed away from liver cancer in 1970 in Chicago. His legacy as a pioneering blues pianist continues to be celebrated, with performances captured in recordings from events like the Newport Jazz Festival and the American Folk Blues Festival.
App
