“Blues is a spiritual healing from the heart & soul with solid driving rhythms and wailin soloing  instruments & vocals.Blues is the music closest to our heart pulse!”

Jim Kahr: Keepin’ The Blues Hot

Jim Kahr is the extraordinary real blues deal, a true living legend! Hailing from the great city of Chicago, this recording touring artist has reached numerous accomplishments over decades. Born & bred on the Southside of Chicago, he is a well respected established vocalist and guitarist setting the pace. Guitar styles include electric, acoustic, bottleneck slide and mandolin. Jim has toured and recorded with so many legendary Blues artists, throughout USA and Europe. Namely, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmy Rogers, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Bobby Blue Bland, Freddie King, and many others. Recording on various European labels, Jim Kahr released several albums of his own original material, supported by touring.

(Photo: Jim Kahr)

Jimmy “Guitar” Kahr says: “My sound is clarity in each note played with expression. No superficial fancy approach. Some effects are used to enhance the sounds. Technique is used mainly to embellish & project my soulful inspirational ideas. Connecting with the audience is of utmost importance. Each feeds off the other.” Keepin' It Hot (2023), the latest masterpiece from renowned musician Jim Kahr has mesmerized the music world. This album is an impressive set of 15 tracks that touch one's soul and rekindle the fire of the blues. Years of work flowed into the creation of this release, which was recorded in Memphis by the late great Grammy Award winner Jim Gaines.

Interview by Michael Limnios

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

Born & bred with Chicago roots enabled me to witness many Blues legends first-hand at my doorstep. This inspired me to the Blues styles early on. Blues is a spiritual healing from the heart & soul with solid driving rhythms and wailin soloing  instruments & vocals. Blues is the music closest to our heart pulse! Vibrant receptive audiences propelled each performance into a frenzy. There is nothing else like the Blues. It's contagious and addictive. This quickly shaped my career direction. 

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

My sound is clarity in each note played with expression. No superficial fancy approach. Some effects are used to enhance the sounds. Technique is used mainly to embellish & project my soulful inspirational ideas. Connecting with the audience is of utmost importance. Each feeds off the other.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? 

Meeting each and every Blues person was exciting. Of course being introduced to celebrity name artists, (on or off stage), was an added bonus. Junior Wells encouraged me to concentrate on vocals too, in addition to my guitar skills. He (as a mentor) brought my vocals to the forefront, as well. Bless his soul.

John Lee Hooker once told me..." Never put your music down". He also advised to develop my show, with or without, a band (electric or acoustic).

”When Blues players try to get too fancy, it loses the feel. Reaching out from the heart & soul presents the best Blues Everytime. Hopefully, Blues won't become too commercial & superfluous.” (Photo: Jim Kahr, toured and recorded with so many legendary Blues artists)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

So many, to name just a few...Each gig was a special entity and experience. My band shared the bill as opening act with John Lee Hooker on a Blues festival in San Diego. John heard my playing and it touched his soul. He sent his manager to my band room to join him after the show. He offered me a studio album session in Hollywood on the next day! The album is called "Free Beer And Chicken" (1974) released on Capitol records. Joe Cocker also participated on it. This album was followed with an European tour / live album together.

In Chicago, I went out to hear the master vocalist BOBBY BLUE BLAND perform at a famous Blues venue called Burning Spear. Primarily black audience. Between sets, I went to his band room introducing myself. He invited me to sit in on the next set with Stormy Monday Blues track. I was on fire that night and he hired me to join his orchestra on tour. We left together on tour the next day, touring the States in major venues. I was the only white guy in his revue.

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

When Blues players try to get too fancy, it loses the feel. Reaching out from the heart & soul presents the best Blues Everytime. Hopefully, Blues won't become too commercial & superfluous.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Tenacity and believing in one's self. Stay on your path, without becoming discouraged along the way. Accepting ups & downs in the crazy music biz.

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?

Music is a main incentive in restoring hope and unity during this very unsettled global political era. Music transcends differences amongst people and races. A catalyst for peace. Creative musicians composing their  own  new material vs. covering other artists  hits impresses me most.

“Born & bred with Chicago roots enabled me to witness many Blues legends first-hand at my doorstep. This inspired me to the Blues styles early on.” (Photo: Jim Kahr)

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?

There has been huge growth & maturity over decades of performing, touring, and recording. My feel for moving  audiences with excitement remains the same. Beyond words.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician?

Health issues & positive spirits remain #1. Must take care of our body, heart & soul. Financial issues always play an integral part of survival, as a self employed artist. The Corona Pandemic was a major setback for most. Many are in a long recovery mode to make ends meet.

From the musical and feeling point of view is there any difference between the old-cats great bluesmen and the young generation of blues musicians?

Yes, big differences. The modern Blues style artists have adapted to the times. The Blues is a progressive music. There are some retro traditional Blues Bands out there doing well. Can't relive the past, however, reviving styles sometimes works. I was fortunate to play on stage with many Blues legends, growing up in Chicago. My roots there are priceless.

You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and open air festivals to bars in US and Europe. How do you navigate between these different worlds?

Great receptive audiences may appear anywhere, regardless of location. I really enjoy performing on larger Festivals with larger crowds brewing for so much excitement. Luv it.

How has your experience with the “golden era” of blues influenced the way you compose and perform today? What were the most important things you learned?

I learned how to captivate an audience, regardless of age. My background around Chicago strengthened own  self confidence and awareness of fan's desires. I'm in touch with the concert mood.

“The Blues is an evolution underlying so many other styles. It keeps performances vibrant and exciting... directly interacting with audiences. Music is a creative art reflecting on society moods & trends. Also setting the pace. Blues is best experienced live.” (Photos: Jim Kahr with Freddie King & Jimmy Rogers, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland)

What keeps a musician passionate over the years in blues? How does your hometown (Chicago) that affect your music?

Passion for music remains essential for authenticity… My hometown Chicago roots set the pace establishing  my career direction & style. A major influence over the many years.

How can we bring the blues of the past into the future? What touched you from the German blues scene?

Staying in touch with the times and adapting well to it. Instrument and recording sounds change constantly. I appreciate the loyalty within the German Blues scene. Fans don't forget a stellar concert and return for more.

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

The Blues is an evolution underlying so many other styles. It keeps performances vibrant and exciting... directly interacting with audiences.

Music is a creative art reflecting on society moods & trends. Also setting the pace. Blues is best experienced live.

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

I incorporate elements of various styles into my composing & performing. Important is remaining in touch with upcoming styles and recording techniques. Always try to keep an open ear to what's goin on. There shall be no boundaries or limitations.

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(Photo: Jim Kahr)