"It’s (Blues) great and powerful music that moves people - with soulful feeling, honesty, true stories and emotion."

Dave Specter: Blues From The Inside Out

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

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

Blues music is my main form of artistic expression where the feeling of the blues speaks very strongly to me. Being from Chicago gives me special pride and a sense of purpose in representing and playing this great form of music.

How do you describe Dave Specter sound and songbook? What characterize your music philosophy?

I prefer for my music to speak for itself but I’ve hopefully developed - and am still developing - my own sound and style, based on everything from traditional Chicago blues, Texas blues. West Coast blues, jazz and R&B. I consider myself a thoughtful and soulful guitarist who plays with intensity and strong blues feeling. I prefer the “less is more” approach to music, where feeling is more important than flash. Tone is a key element of my sound and I love most music that has great, warm tone.

“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)

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.

“I prefer for my music to speak for itself but I’ve hopefully developed - and am still developing - my own sound and style, based on everything from traditional Chicago blues, Texas blues. West Coast blues, jazz and R&B. I consider myself a thoughtful and soulful guitarist who plays with intensity and strong blues feeling.” (Photo: Dave Specter 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.)

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.

"Blues music is my main form of artistic expression where the feeling of the blues speaks very strongly to me. Being from Chicago gives me special pride and a sense of purpose in representing and playing this great form of music." (Dave Specter on stage, Chicago Blues Festival, 2011 / Photo by Harvey Tillis)

How has the Blues, Soul, and Jazz music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I’m first and foremost a blues musician with deep roots in Chicago blues having played here in Chicago for the past 35 years. I’m influenced by jazz from a melodic point of view as well as musical elements like phrasing, tone and song structure. Soul music speaks to me as a variation/extension of the blues with elements of gospel, funk and pop music. Great soul singers and musicians always have a strong blues feeling. Same with jazz musicians.

How do you describe “Blues From The Inside Out” songbook and sound? What characterizes this studio album in comparison to previous?

I’d describe the album as an eclectic mix of blues related styles with some political and socially relevant aspects to some of the songs. The album features 12 new, original tunes with 3 different singers (including my vocal debut on 3 tracks) along with 4 instrumental tracks ranging from New Orleans influenced funk to Latin Jazz to Chicago blues.

Having Jorma Kaukonen as a guest on 2 tracks was a really great experience and he also wrote the tune “The Blues Ain’t Nothin’. I feel the album is an extension of my musical direction from previous albums, with more of a focus on fresh, original material with subject matter that is especially relevant today.

Are there any memories from "Blues From The Inside Out” (2019) studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Spending time in the studio with Jorma was really memorable as he drove into Chicago from his Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio - during a winter snowstorm. He shared great stories about his days with Jefferson Airplane, hearing Eric Clapton with Cream for the first time at the Fillmore and he seemed really excited and inspired to be playing with us on a Chicago blues recording session in the Delmark studios.

"I’ve learned from playing with older musicians that we’re on a lifelong journey with this music and there’s always room for growth and improvement. I’ve also learned the importance of humility and passing on our knowledge and experiences to younger musicians." (Dave Specter & Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna, Delmark studios, Chicago 2019 / Photo by Harvey Tillis)

Why did you think that the label of Delmark Records continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think people feel it’s an historic and important source for documenting current (mostly Chicago based blues and jazz) as well as great archival music going back to the 1940s and 50s.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your paths with the "old cats" of the Blues?

I’ve learned from playing with older musicians that we’re on a lifelong journey with this music and there’s always room for growth and improvement. I’ve also learned the importance of humility and passing on our knowledge and experiences to younger musicians.

Do you consider the Blues a specific music genre and artistic movement or do you think it’s a state of mind?

Yes the blues is a specific genre but it also obviously and sometimes not so obviously crosses over into many other musical genres and styles.

A state of mind? I like that thought and I’d say it definitely can be. Blues is defined differently by so many people and I think that categorizing music and placing labels on any kind of art can be problematic and confusing.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

I feel very lucky to have grown up and lived in Chicago for most of my life. Amazing experiences over my nearly 30 year career on the Chicago blues scene. The best advice was to follow my passion and dreams of becoming a professional musician.

"Yes the blues is a specific genre but it also obviously and sometimes not so obviously crosses over into many other musical genres and styles. A state of mind? I like that thought and I’d say it definitely can be. Blues is defined differently by so many people and I think that categorizing music and placing labels on any kind of art can be problematic and confusing." (Photo: Dave Specter & Buddy Guy)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams and recording time which you’d like to share with us?

Many great memories from performing with Hubert Sumlin (photo), Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Sunnyland Slim, Steve Freund, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Johnson, Syl Johnson, Snooky Pryor, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Shaw, Pinetop Perkins, Lonnie Brooks, Son Seals and so many more… Recording and performing with Otis Clay - who appears on my 2014 album "Message in Blue" - has definitely been a career highlight.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

So many of the great players I got to know and play with are now gone. I can only hope that coming generations of blues artists continue to follow in their footsteps.

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

I wish that blues and jazz would magically become much more popular and the most widely respected & appreciated musical forms in the world - and that the musicians would be rewarded accordingly.

How started the thought of "Blues & Beyond"? Make an account of the case of the blues in Chicago todays.

I started my "Blues & Beyond" interview series with the help from a Chicago company called Fret12 that loves guitar and hired me to interview mostly blues artists in an artist to artist, behind the scenes setting. The blues in Chicago today is still strong with more musicians and venues than probably anywhere in the world.

(Photo: Dave Specter & the late great Hubert Sumlin)

Which memories from Son Seals, Hubert Sumlin, Jr Wells, Jimmy Rogers, and Sunnyland Slim makes you smile?

I’d have to choose Hubert Sumlin and Sunnyland Slimat the top of that list because they were both so encouraging and cool.

My nearly 2 years on the road with Son Seals was an invaluable experience in my career where I learned a great deal about performing, the blues and life on the road.

Why did you think that the Jazz and Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

It’s great and powerful music that moves people - with soulful feeling, honesty, true stories and emotion.

What are the lines that connect the legacy of Blues from States to Latin America, Israel, Europe and Mexico?

Without a doubt, a common love and passion for the music - worldwide!

What is the impact of Blues, Soul, Gospel and Jazz music and culture to the socio-cultural implications?

At it’s best music can inspire hope, change, positive action and speak directly to our hearts and souls. It can help create a sense of community within musical genres and across racial and socio-economic lines.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

Probably back to Chicago in the 60s and hear Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Freddy King, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker - and maybe make a trip somewhere to hear Wes Montgomery and Grant Green.

Dave Specter - official website

(Dave Specter / Photo by Lola Reynaerts)