Perhaps there’s no such thing as retirement in the blues world, although one can only hope that concept will strike certain rockers before they’re forced to collect Social Security.
Blues artists, on the other hand, seem to gain stature, although the “living legend” cliche doesn’t really seem to fit Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins, who performs Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle.
Call him the blue-collar carrier of blues tradition and a bagful of W.C. Handy Awards, a Grammy nomination and an NEA award for Best Traditional Artist (1999).
The boogie-woogie piano great, possibly the last great blues piano player of his era (that would be the one that started before Prohibition) was born in 1913 in Mississippi.
Perkins picked cotton, played for local parties when he was 10, made his first piano, had his guitar-playing ended when a woman stabbed him in the hand and arm in a bar in the mid-’40s, played for years with Muddy Waters, and influenced three generations of blues pianists.
His mentor was Clarence “Pinetop” Smith, whose nickname he later adopted in Smith’s honor. Perkins and several others developed the boogie-woogie platform from which swing music evolved.
Shemekia Copeland: This powerhouse blues vocalist and winner of several W.C. Handy Awards is the real thing. Copeland performs Thursday through April 3 in Seattle. She has also earned five Living Blues Awards and a Grammy nomination.
Jack Gold Quartet: The photojournalist, drummer and percussionist is dedicated to the art of (and admittedly undefined) free improvised jazz. The quartet performs Saturday in Seattle. Gold started about 1980 with the blues-rock group The Opening and avant-rock group Quantum. Currently he’s the bandleader of The Acoustic Reign Project.
Ben Lee: The Australian singer-songwriter has earned a home on alternative rock stations while turning out uncomplicated pop songs. He performs Wednesday in Seattle. Lee will be joined by the modestly named R&B crooner Har Mar Superstar, who expects to make you dance.
Hot Java, Cool Jazz: Last year Seattle’s high-school jazz musicians played to a sold-out house. Bands, quartets and quintets from Edmonds, Garfield, Newport and Roosevelt will perform tonight in Seattle.
Wayne Hancock: “The Train” brings his brand of hillbilly swing to Seattle on Saturday, a combination of honky tonk, Western swing, rockabilly beats and blues. Hancock says he just wants people to feel good about the music and know that it’s from his heart. It’s hard to be down when listening to his sound.
Pinetop Perkins performs next week in Seattle.
Shemekia Copeland
Where to hear it
Pinetop Perkins: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $18.50, $22.50; 206-441-9729.
Shemekia Copeland: Various times Thursday through April 3, Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $20.50, $22.50; 206-441-9729.
Jack Gold Quartet: 8 p.m. Saturday, Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave. E., Seattle; $5-$10.
Ben Lee: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Crocodile Cafe, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle; $12.50; 206-628-0888.
Hot Java, Cool Jazz: 7:30 p.m. today, Paramount, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $15; 206-628-0888.
Wayne Hancock: 9 p.m. Saturday, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; $12; 800-965-4827.
Where to hear it
Pinetop Perkins: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $18.50, $22.50; 206-441-9729.
Shemekia Copeland: Various times Thursday through April 3, Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $20.50, $22.50; 206-441-9729.
Jack Gold Quartet: 8 p.m. Saturday, Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave. E., Seattle; $5-$10.
Ben Lee: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Crocodile Cafe, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle; $12.50; 206-628-0888.
Hot Java, Cool Jazz: 7:30 p.m. today, Paramount, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $15; 206-628-0888.
Wayne Hancock: 9 p.m. Saturday, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; $12; 800-965-4827.
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