Gary Primich

Monday , April 19, 1999
12:00 am
Location: Elderly Instruments
in-store performance (free)

Ace Blues harmonicist/vocalist/songwriter Gary Primich is among a rare breed of harpists on the blues scene today—those who actually learned directly at the feet of the masters and proved themselves on the mean streets and ghetto stages of Chicago. Primich will play a free, in-store performance at Elderly Instruments, (1100 N. Washington, Lansing), at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 19. Later that evening, Primich and his band will play a full show at the Green Door Lounge (2005 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.) Primich is touring in support of his new Black Top Records release "Botheration." Primich honed his meaty, fat-toned harmonica chops and energetic R&B vocal style at Chicago’s legendary Maxwell Street Market. Jamming there in the late 70s and early 80s, alongside greats like Big Walter Horton, Johnny Littlejohn and John Henry Davis, Primich received a first-hand blues education that could never be taught in a classroom. Although a resident of Austin, Texas for the past decade, Primich still embodies the characteristic blue-collar work ethic of his Midwest stomping grounds, recording six albums in the past eight years and playing over 200 nights per year nationally and internationally. In addition to his solo efforts, Primich is an in-demand sideman, gigging and recording with such notables as Steve James, Tish Hinojosa and Omar & the Howlers (who regularly invite him along on their tours as a member of the band.) Primich was born in Chicago in 1958 and raised near Gary Indiana. He developed an interest in the blues during his teens by listening to Muddy Waters and Hound Dog Taylor on Chicago-based radio stations like WXRT. He was drawn to harmonica after hearing records by James Cotton and Big Walter Horton. While attending Indiana University, he began frequenting south-side Chicago clubs and playing with folks like John Henry Davis and Johnny Littlejohn. After graduation he relocated to Austin, where he found a better climate for traditional blues. Once settled in Austin, Primich began to incorporate elements of jazz, Texas swing and Louisiana R&B into his music. Shortly thereafter he formed the Mannish Boys with former Frank Zappa and the Mothers’ drummer Jimmy Carl Black. After releasing two albums with he Mannish Boys, Primich went solo, recording two albums for Flying Fish records. In 1996 Primich released his Blacktop Records debut, "Company Man." He then hit the road, playing venues and festivals around the world. His second Blacktop release, "Botheration" has just been released. The Lansing stop is just one on a full-scale international tour in support of the CD. Blues fans will not be disappointed by the record or the shows.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Gary Primich