Event

Birthday Blues at the Casa Phoenix

Chester Chandler, better known as Memphis Blues, is a U.S Navy veteran who grew up in a musical household and started playing on Beale Street in Memphis at age 8. After returning from Vietnam, he saved up to buy a guitar while living on the streets of Washington. While playing in a DC jazz and blues club, an Armed Forces Entertainment representative heard him play, and Chester has now performed for troops in 36 countries. Chris Spector of Midwest Record describes him as, "Coloring so far outside the lines that he's off the page, Gold remembers the blues from before his time but feels them from down home fused with post industrial migration vibes and sounds."

After growing up in a series of foster homes, Charlie Sayles picked up the blues harp while serving in Vietnam, and after returning home he played for tips on the streets of New York City, Atlanta, St. Louis, and other cities, ultimately landing in Washington. This history of street playing shows in his music, where he tries to get as full and band-like a sound as he could with his harp. Charlie would be the first to tell you that he's not a straight-ahead Chicago blues player you'll find elements of New Orleans funk, Chicago blues and rock & roll in his music.

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Susan