/  Home  /  Music  /  The Blues

Those Lowdown Blues with Bob Corritore Celebrates 20 Years

By Jennifer B. Waters, Development Assistant, KJZZ

On Sunday, February 5, 1984, Bob Corritore aired the first broadcast of his popular Sunday night blues show, Those Lowdown Blues. Opening that first show with an instrumental by legendary blues harmonica player Little Walter, the program has grown over two decades into an Arizona blues treasure that can now be heard across the country by way of Internet web streaming.

Bob was born in Illinois and raised in Chicago with a hearty dose of exposure to the Chicago blues scene from the late sixties into the early eighties, first listening to and watching legendary blues greats, and later sometimes playing with them: "I was truly blessed to grow up in Chicago because I got to see a lot of the old, traditional blues masters when they were still playing at the height of their powers. And it was all so accessible. There was no kind of division there--if you were young and interested, they seemed to be complimented by that, and they would take you in and let you be their friend." He began playing harmonica as a pre-teen and as his love of the blues grew, so did his record collection and knowledge of all things blues: styles, songs, musicians, labels, and eventually the entire business.

Bob earned a college degree in business and his first business venture was his own blues record label, begun out of a desire to capture for posterity some of his favorite artists, as well as those who had not been recorded thoroughly as a result of a lack of media exposure. Before he abandoned this label, he produced valuable recordings by lesser known harmonica players Big Leon Brooks and Little Willie Anderson who--like so many other wonderful blues musicians--are no longer alive for us to enjoy except in recordings like these.

After moving to the Valley, Bob became entrenched in the local music scene, sharing his blues collection and blues knowledge with KJZZ listeners, playing harmonica around town with Big Pete Pearson, Chico Chism, Louisiana Red, Buddy Reed, and others, producing recordings, and keeping live blues happening in his Phoenix club, the Rhythm Room. Some of the recordings that he has produced locally have been nominated for Grammys and W C Handy awards, and there are more in the works including a new CD celebrating the two-decade anniversary of Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ.

When recently asked what makes his radio program different than other blues radio programs over the years and across the country, Bob responded that while he seeks to expose the public to a wide range of styles and eras in the blues, mostly it is his desire to create a well-rounded but overall fun show from week to week--to educate in the blues without being "bookish." He's not queasy about going to some very dark or difficult places with the musical choices he makes--staying true to the earthy, hard-life realities of the older blues musicians and singers--but always rounds it out with the upbeat side of the blues…full of emotion, but also packed with fun. Even when Bob is by himself in the control room with his music and the invisible listening audience, he's having a blues party…and sharing it with the public in a very personal way.

Every Sunday night in February will be an anniversary celebration of 20 years of Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ. Be sure to tune in from 6 to 11 pm every Sunday night for related airing of music and interviews from the archives, music giveaways, and more information about the anniversary celebration party with many musical guests over the weekend of January 30 and 31 at the Rhythm Room. Also look forward to a new CD commemorating the show's anniversary, with previously unreleased recordings from the show's archives. With the recent Year of the Blues Congressional Proclamation honoring blues music as a unique and valuable American art form to be treasured and respected, if you have not yet tuned in to KJZZ on Sunday nights, make it a point to do so; and if you are already a fan, keep tuning in and supporting KJZZ as we continue to bring you Those Lowdown Blues.

This article appears in the KJZZ / KBAQ Winter 2004 Newsletter.  The KJZZ / KBAQ Newsletter is published quarterly and mailed to our listeners who have become members of the stations by making tax-deductible donations to support your public radio stations.  We have included some of the articles and related links here for your electronic reading pleasure.  Become a member of either KJZZ (your station for National Public Radio programs, local news, acoustic jazz, and blues) or KBAQ (your classical companion) today and receive the complete newsletter in your mail throughout the year.