“The Blues is considered the foundational form for most modern American popular music, giving rise to genres such as jazz, soul, rhythm and blues (R&B), and rock and roll. Blues is an emotional style of music that relates to people for what they are going through. This is the way I try to approach playing.”

Jeff Stone-Skolnikas: Rolling Blues Stone

WC Handy Award Winner Jeff Stone-Skolnikas can wail blues harp with the best of them. Stone won that accolade for his efforts in bringing high-energy blues to the masses during his tenure with Zac Harmon and the Mid-South Blues Revue. Along with Harmon and the Mid-South Blues Revue, Stone won the IBC in 2004, and coveted (WC Handy Award) Blues Music Award for Best New Artist. A native of Chicago’s South Side, Stone first picked up a harmonica at the age of 12. He kept at it during forays in the Navy and a stay in LA. It was there that his exceptional talent, unmistakable drive and ear for up-and coming blues musicians was first spotted and nurtured by the feisty proprietor of Los Angeles’ Babe and Ricky’s Inn—“Mama” Laura Mae Gross. She had Stone initiate her famed Open Mic night as host and also introduced him to Deacon Jones, Lowell Fulson and the monumental introduction with Zac Harmon. He met fellow South Sider Charlie Love in the early 90's and continues to play with him to this day. It was through Love that Stone had the chance to collaborate with the many great musicians and renown women blues singers that put Chicago on the map as the “Blues Capitol of the World.”

(Jeff Stone-Skolnikas / Photo by Kurt Foor)

BlueStone Records is Stone’s music label that has produced, the award Winning ‘Blues According to Zacariah’ (Zac Harmon), ’Live at Old Town School of Music’ (Rev. KM Williams), and the 2011 American Best Blues Album ‘3 Faces of the Blues’ amongst its catalogue. Although Stone is proud to call Chicago his home, he has resided everywhere from Los Angeles to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This locale gave him the opportunity to partner with many of the great Texas-area blues musicians such as Andrew ‘Jr. Boy’ Jones, Reverend KM Williams amongst others. They have also appeared everywhere from the Chicago Blues Festival to the Juke Joint Festival and Deep Blues Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Back in the Chicago area, Stone has come full circle. Back home, he has worked with Tomiko Dixon, Charlie Love & Silky Smooth Band, Mississippi Gabe Carter and Fruteland Jackson.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What does the blues mean to you? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

The Blues (as a musician) is my way of expression from the depths of my soul. It is my way of maintaining balance. The Blues are an American legacy that needs to be preserved at its core, the roots, so it doesn't get swallowed up in other forms that don't maintain the core to the history and thus set up to fade away.

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

My sound is a pure, tone. That allows me to put any effect I desire. My philosophy is that leads are leads... but the strength of my playing is the comps, fills, hits, that blend the overall sound of the ensemble. My playing is similar to that of a horn player, string ensemble... to add to the total sound. My songbook i s heavily based in the Blues... roots, through the migration to Chicago and other areas that created that 'Big City' sound and the various evolutions through eras of 20"s, 30's etc. through today. As well, the crossover into jazz, Gospel, R&B, Funk.

“I miss the legends... they are/were the forefathers and originators. My hope is that the legacy and respect for the roots and origins are not washed away or 'watered down.' My fear is that what some of the newer bands are doing, they call the blues but is far from it.” (Jeff Stone-Skolnikas, a WC Handy Award Winner / Photos by Howard Greenblatt)

Why do you think that Chicago Blues scene continues to generate such a devoted following? 

Chicago Blues was the place that the Mississippi origin and migration went to first. It was Chicago that defined the blues we hear today... Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Willie Dixon. As well, it became the mainstay for Women Blues Singers.  Still today, at Blue Chicago, if you don't have a woman singer in your band... you are not playing. The history, legacy and evolution for the future is validated through the Chicago clubs, studios, recordings, both musicians and fans.

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

So many memories... playing in a festival in the south of France. After the show, one of the guests asked to come backstage and meet us. He was a father with a young son (around the age of 7. He was very complimentary of the entire band. The father reached out to me to tell me that his son really was enamored with my harmonica playing. I spoke with this young child; we talked about what he liked about my playing. Amongst the things he said, what struck me was when he said he could feel my playing, that it spoke to him inside. I went to my gig bag and got one of my spare harmonicas, signed it and gave it to him. The look on his face was of astonishment and as though it was a priceless, to be cherished gift.

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

I miss the legends... they are/were the forefathers and originators. My hope is that the legacy and respect for the roots and origins are not washed away or 'watered down.' My fear is that what some of the newer bands are doing, they call the blues but is far from it.

“The Blues (as a musician) is my way of expression from the depths of my soul. It is my way of maintaining balance. The Blues are an American legacy that needs to be preserved at its core, the roots, so it doesn't get swallowed up in other forms that don't maintain the core to the history and thus set up to fade away.” (Photo: Jeff Stone & Mississippi Gabe Carter / Photo by Howard Greenblatt)

What is the impact of Blues on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people? 

The Blues is considered the foundational form for most modern American popular music, giving rise to genres such as jazz, soul, rhythm and blues (R&B), and rock and roll. Blues is an emotional style of music that relates to people for what they are going through. This is the way I try to approach playing.

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

Balance... expressing deep emotions from within... so real that it reaches listeners... have been blessed to have played many festivals around the world where my music connected with people. In church, I was able to reach the congregation, as part of our Praise & Worship team, in a way that purely prepared them for the word/sermon of our Pastor. It was so genuine that they truly put aside what was going on in their daily lives, to receive the message, softened by the songs and music.

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

Mixing it up with other genres, while maintaining the integrity and purity of the blues, will commercialize the genre as it blends with other genres.

Jeff Stone / Bluestone Records - Home

(Jeff Stone-Skolnikas / Photo by Billy Wayne Turner)