Tail Dragger Infos

MUSICIANS

EARLY REVIEWS

“When these guys cut loose…it’s like time travel.” – News Review

“This is real Chicago!…You like Chicago blues? This is the place!” – Bman’s Blues Report

MORE INFO

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DELTA GROOVE ARTIST PAGE

ARTIST WEBSITE – TAIL DRAGGER

ARTIST WEBSITE – BOB CORRITORE

TAIL DRAGGER & BOB CORRITORE
“LONGTIME FRIENDS IN THE BLUES”

“One of the great personalities of Chicago blues is the unstoppable Tail Dragger, whose charisma fills up any room he plays in.” – Bob Corritore

“One day this boy (Tail Dragger) will take my place.” – Howlin’ Wolf

“…a damn good harmonica player (Bob Corritore) with a lively sense of history.” – Downbeat Magazine

“If Phoenix, Arizona, had a blues mafia, then Bob Corritore just might be its resident godfather.” – Living Blues Magazine

If you’re looking for someone who evokes the passion and raw intensity of blues performed at its sweaty best – just like they did back in the ’50s and ’60s in the neighborhood bars and juke joints on Chicago’s South and West Sides – than look no further than James Yancy Jones, aka the Tail Dragger. Originally from Altheimer, Arkansas, Tail Dragger relocated to Chicago in the ’60s where he befriended the man responsible for bestowing him with his illustrious stage name, the legendary Howlin’ Wolf. Tail Dragger earned his nickname for his reputation of often showing up late for gigs where he was afforded the opportunity to sit in and perform while Wolf was on break. Tail Dragger became a full-time solo artist in the early ’70s and has remained ever-faithful to his early influences over the years claiming, “Lowdown blues is all I like…all I feel…and I sing what I feel.”

Bob Corritore has been a lifelong advocate of the blues who continues to play an active role in promoting the music by helping it flourish into the 21st century through his many endeavors. From band leader to club owner, to record producer and radio show host, his boundless enthusiasm for the blues never ceases to impress. In 2011, Corritore’s remarkable album Harmonica Blues, which features such legendary performers as Koko Taylor, Little Milton, Pinetop Perkins, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Lockwood Jr. and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, was honored with a Blues Music Award for Historical Album of the Year. In addition, Corritore was also presented with a Certificate of Special Recognition on September 1, 2011 by Arizona Governor Janice K. Brewer for his accomplishments as a national recording artist and for his contributions to blues music throughout the State of Arizona.

On January 11, 1976, Tail Dragger and Bob Corritore first met at the 1815 Club on Chicago’s West Side where they performed at a tribute to Howlin’ Wolf, who had died the day before. This was the symbolic beginning of a lifetime friendship and musical collaboration which continues to this day. Now, veteran Chicago blues vocalist Tail Dragger combines forces with Arizona’s very own blues ambassador and harmonica extraordinaire, Bob Corritore, to deliver a heartfelt album of pure, unadulterated, lowdown and dirty Chicago Blues. Joining the proceedings is an ensemble of first rate players including legendary pianist Henry Gray (who performed and recorded with Howlin’ Wolf for twelve years beginning in 1956), guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Chris James, along with a rhythm section consisting of bassist Patrick Rynn and drummer Brian Fahey. Longtime Friends In The Blues is an album of raw, intense, emotional blues, performed ferociously and with no apologies.

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