Dave Specter: Blues … at Space!

Blues guitarist, bandleader and producer Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the USA. Since 1989 Dave has toured internationally with performances in Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Europe, Mexico and Canada. Before forming his own band in 1989, Specter toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe behind such blues greats as Son Seals, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay and Steve Freund. Specter has also performed and recorded with such blues and jazz artists as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Johnson, Jack McDuff, Johnny Adams, Snooky Pryor, Kim Wilson, Tad Robinson, John Primer, Johnny Littlejohn, B.B. Odom, Mighty Joe Young, Valerie Wellington, Magic Slim, Lonnie Brooks, Willie Kent, Ronnie Earl, Eric Alexander, Otis Clay, Floyd McDaniel, Pinetop Perkins and Sunnyland Slim.

(Dave Specter / Photo by Ren Picco-Freeman)

Among Dave Specter's critically acclaimed recordings, his 1991 release Bluebird Blues reached the #1 spot on both the Living Blues national radio charts and the Tower Records blues charts. Specter also appears on compilation CDs with artists such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells. Dave is also partner at one of the Chicago area’s most acclaimed music venues, Evanston SPACE and hosts the podcast, Blues From The Inside Out. Dave Specter and Delmark Records have been together for over three decades. Dave’s acclaimed double album “Six String Soul” celebrated this amazing journey. Now, on Dave’s 14th Delmark album “Dave Specter Live at Space” (2025), he and his superlative band write a new and exciting chapter in this long and harmonious story. At home at Evanston’s premier venue, SPACE, Dave and his smokin’ tight band deliver a definitive live blues event, vibrantly captured in this recording. This is 21st century Chicago blues, anchored in tradition and open to the future.

Interview by Michael Limnios

Special Thanks: Dave Specter, Kevin Johnson, Julia A. Miller & Elbio Barilari

Currently you’ve one live album recording in Space, Evanston IL. Do you have any interesting stories about the making of “Live in Space” in March 19th, 2024?

I'm very proud of the fact that the album was recorded in one set in one night. I also feel that blues and jazz is captured best in front of a live audience and am very glad to have another live album out.

What touched you from Magic Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson, Don Nix, Allen Toussaint, Dave Clark, and Shelton Brothers songs you have in your playlist?

Magic Sam has always been one of my all-time favorite bluesmen as his guitar style combines everything that I love about electric blues guitar. Beautiful tone, phrasing, intensity, economy and deep blues feeling. His singing was just incredible. I've recorded Sonny Boy's Bluebird Blues a few different times over the last 35 years and it's kind of become one of our signature tunes. A classic Chicago style slow blues and it was the title track of my first album. I first heard the original Otis Rush recording of Homework decades ago and always loved the tune. Peter Green recorded one of my favorite versions at the Chess studios with Fleetwood Mac and my friend Peter Wolf has also performed/recorded the tune on his own albums and with J. Geils.

Brother John Kattke brought the Don Nix tune Same Old Blues into our repertoire and we of course love the classic Freddie King version of the tune. Beautiful chord changes and great lyrics that tell a compelling story. Allen Toussaint's songwriting is at a level that few others can match. He's American musical royalty and I'm proud to have covered one of his tunes that also tells a great story with some important life lessons. Deep Elem Blues is a tune I first heard by The Grateful Dead and then discovered many early versions going back 100 years or so, covered by a wide variety of artists. It's a great groove with cool and playful lyrics.

“As Otis Spann said "The blues never die". There are probably more blues bands today in the world than ever before and I don't think we have anything to worry about - other than the quality of the music. It's very important that the blues be presented more to younger audiences. I wish more promoters would organize tours through colleges and universities to reach a younger audience.” (Dave Specter, one of the premier talents on the Chicago blues scene / Photo by Ren Picco-Freeman)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

Artistic growth is a life long journey and after 40 years + of playing guitar I feel like my growth is reflected in the development of my playing in having a personal, signature style and sound. I don't really see my music in terms of "process" - but rather in terms of feeling.

What moment changed your music life the most? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

Can't name a single moment but after 4 years of being a sideman with artists like Son Seals, Sam Lay, Steve Freund and The Legendary Blues Band, I knew that I needed to start my own band in order to express what I really had to say as a musician.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I don't think in those terms but few things make me happier than performing for younger audiences and seeing how well they react to and appreciate my music.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

As Otis Spann said "The blues never die". There are probably more blues bands today in the world than ever before and I don't think we have anything to worry about - other than the quality of the music. It's very important that the blues be presented more to younger audiences. I wish more promoters would organize tours through colleges and universities to reach a younger audience.

Dave Specter - official website

(Dave Specter / Photo by Ren Picco-Freeman)