“Without sounding redundant hopefully. As I've said educating, and embracing our heritage, stop making Blues the last thought in the music field. And support the Blues, and live music clubs... Hopefully I made some sense in my responses to your questions. Thank you again for asking me to participate.”

Jimi “Primetime” Smith: My Blues Time

Jimi “Primetime” Smith has a long and impressive history with the blues, having released numerous acclaimed albums and having played with blues royalty such as Otis Rush, Albert King, Albert Collins, and Etta James. However, his unobtrusive and humble nature often leads to blues fans feeling uncertain if they have ever seen him previously. Adding to their uncertainty is the fact that before he changed the spelling of his name and added the nickname, he would often be confused with organist Jimmy Smith. However, Jimi’s most recent work is getting so much attention that he seems destined to soon become a household name. Jimi was born in Chicago into a musical family. His mother, Johnnie Mae Dunson (AKA “The Big Boss Lady”), was a pioneer in the industry as one of the first female drummers and songwriters. This led to Jimi having some impressive mentors, and he recorded his first song (on a 45-rpm record) at the age of eight. His first professional show, which was with Jimmy Reed at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, was at the age of fourteen, where he played in a slot between Charles Mingus and Ray Charles.

(Photo: Jimi “Primetime” Smith)

By the age of seventeen he was playing in the blues clubs in Chicago alongside Big Walter Horton, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmie Johnson, Eddie Taylor and Fenton Robertson. With a gift for creating music that speaks to the soul, Jimi PrimeTime Smith has been making waves in the industry for years. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical styles, Jimi PrimeTime Smith’s new 11-tracks album “It’s My Time” (2025) has developed a sound that is uniquely his own. Jimi "Primetime" Smith is likely the only person who can say that he was homeschooled on guitar by Jimmy Reed and Eddie Taylor. He is one of the few guitarists on the present scene who learned early on how to accompany blues pianists such as Sunnyland Slim and harmonica players such as Big Walter Horton. He is not one to blow his own horn, crafting his own career in a remarkably humble manner.

Interview by Michael Limnios

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

I learned the Blues from my mom (Johnnie Mae Dunson) and Jimmy Reed taught me how to play guitar at the age of 12yrs old. It gives me great pleasure to play, sing, and entertain. I love the feeling when I get on stage and see the smile and happiness that comes over people. If I touch one person out there and make their day a little better, then it's a great day for me.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

It's hard for me to describe myself and sound, some has said that I sound like Muddy Waters, Albert King, Robert Cray, all rolled into one. I've played all kinds of music, but my heart belongs to the Blues. As far balance, I give my Lord and Savior Jesus all the praise for the gift he gave me. 

“I learned I believe from some of the greatest, those musicians whipped me into shape. If you didn't or couldn't play the Blues, they let you know it, and it makes you want to be better, by practicing, watching, listening. When it comes to performing, composing my music, I play from my heart and soul, I don't map out solos, and think (well I'll play this here or that there) it's all new to me as it is to the audience.” (Photos: Jimi “Primetime” Smith with his mother, Johnnie Mae Dunson and Jimmy Reed)

Which meetings have been the most important experiences? Are there any memories from gigs, jams, and studio which you’d like to share with us?

I would say, having grown up in the heart of the Blues in Chicago and having people like my mom, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Willie Dixon, KoKo Taylor at my home all the time before knowing they were stars and the people that helped create Chicago Blues. Made me a better person, my greatest memories are of playing my first show at the age of 14 with Jimmy Reed at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1973. I have so many, being a sideman for a few shows with Albert King, Etta James, Otis Rush, Doctor John, Buddy Miles, Bo Didley, just to name a few. 

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

Things I miss about the past is, playing all the great clubs in Chicago, having great elder statesmen and women of the blues stopping by our house to chat, eat, jam. Those people were like family to me, jamming was a release from always having to be on point and performing on stage. Although that is a great feeling in itself. My hope is that more youth get into the Blues it's history, and how it shaped all genres of music. I sometimes fear the loss of a musical genre that so many have no clue as to where a lot of today's music and ideas started. 

How has your experience with musicians of the “golden era” of blues influenced the way you compose and perform today?

I learned I believe from some of the greatest, those musicians whipped me into shape. If you didn't or couldn't play the Blues, they let you know it, and it makes you want to be better, by practicing, watching, listening. When it comes to performing, composing my music, I play from my heart and soul, I don't map out solos, and think (well I'll play this here or that there) it's all new to me as it is to the audience. And that makes for a great experience I believe anyway. Writing or composing a song for me comes in parts, sometimes the music is first, and other times lyrics. But at the end it's a song and a representation of me.

“My hope is that more youth get into the Blues it's history, and how it shaped all genres of music. I sometimes fear the loss of a musical genre that so many have no clue as to where a lot of today's music and ideas started.” (Jimi “Primetime” Smith & Bob Corritore on stage, The Rhythm Room, Phoenix Arizona 2025 / Photos by Marilyn Stringer)

What keeps a musician passionate after five decades in blues? What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

My passion and experience: Music is my passion, anyone that knows me. Will tell you that I am not a happy camper if I'm not performing, no matter what has gone on in my day. When I grab my guitar, sit down and play even if it's just by myself it makes me happy, also my strong faith in the Almighty. As far as lessons; I've learned that you have to work hard, be honest, dedicated, and also learn the business. I never got into the business end of this music thing until lately. And you have to do a lot of it for yourself, cause nothing good comes easy.

How can a musician truly turn the blues into a commercial and popular genre of music for the today's audience and new generation?

To this question I really wished I had a good answer, maybe by those that are in the mainstream embracing and educating our youth on the history of the Blues. It's in every musical genre whether you believe it or not. I performed a soul song by Marvin Gaye (You're a wonderful one)in one of my shows a few weeks ago to show how the Blues influence had an impact on soul music. Muddy Waters recorded a song call the blues had a baby and they named it Rock&Roll. If people would just sit and really listen to Rock&Roll, Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Funk, even HipHop Blues flavor is over it all.

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

Without sounding redundant hopefully. As I've said educating, and embracing our heritage, stop making Blues the last thought in the music field. And support the Blues, and live music clubs... Hopefully I made some sense in my responses to your questions. Thank you again for asking me to participate.

Jimi “Primetime” Smith - Home

(Photo: Jimi “Primetime” Smith)