Dedicated to the memory of Otis Spann

Otis Spann was born in Jackson, Mississippi on March 21, 1930. He was inspired to play the piano at the age of eight by a local pianist, Friday Ford. By age fourteen, Spann was playing gigs around Jackson at juke joints, house parties, taverns, and clubs. When his mother died in 1947, Spann was sent north to stay with relatives in Chicago, where he finally met his idol and stylistic mentor, Big Merriweather, who accepted the young man as his prodigy.

The people of Ann Arbor, Michigan, in recognition of the talent and the genius of the late Otis Spann, sweet giant of the blues, formally dedicate the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival 1972 in the grounds upon which it stands to the memory of this great artist. That September, the performance where the plaque was placed became known as The Otis Spann Memorial Field and remained so for the ensuing years of the festival.

Musicians

Harold Mabern

Harold was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in the environment that spawned many great artists of the blues and jazz world the likes of Jimmy Lunceford, B.B. King, and George Coleman to name a few.

He moved to Chicago in the 1950s. Harold had the added advantage of being one of the few pianists to have direct guidance from a master, Phineas New-born Jr. Playing in the house rhythm sections and accompanying the jazz artists from New York City during their engagements in Chicago. Harold was urged by most to make the move to New York, and following this advice paid off. His first night in New York, Cannonball Adderly got him a job with Harry "Sweets" Edison and the rest is important history.

Harold has played and recorded with such notables as Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Williams, J.J. Johnson, George Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Lionel Hampton and Cybill Shepherd. He was one of Lee Morgans favorite pianists.

"Our ability to swing hard and to play the blues is what distinguishes us." Mabern says of himself and his peers - sometimes dubbed "The Memphis Mafia." "I think of myself today as a blues pianist who understands jazz."

Al Hill

The last few years have been busy for Al Hill. Upon releasing his debut CD "Willie Mae" to great critical review, Al and his band worked non-stop for a year, including performances at many major jazz and blues festivals. This run was capped when they won Buddy Guy's Third Annual Best Unsigned Blues Band competition, held at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago.

Al has toured extensively across the USA, Canada, and Europe and he's currently dividing his time between sold engagements, gigging with his band and his duties as music director and featured vocalist Betty Lavette, the Great Lady of Soul. Al Hill possesses a natural feel for urban blues, root-rock and soul music. He blends New Orleans-style piano, shuffling blues, and some expert boogie woogie into his own funky band.

Dr. Lonnie Smith

Lonnie began his career in his home town of Buffalo, New York. He became interested in the organ while listening to Jimmy Smith's "Midnight Special." "Somehow I just fell in love with the organ, so any time there was an organ around, I would go and listen to it ... I just enjoyed the sound of organ."

Lonnie has recently performed in Europe and Japan on the acoustic piano, which he feels a closeness to, but it's the organ that best fits his musical style and personality. "I can take it anywhere it goes, right? I love to play inside, outside ... but the organ swings best when it swings, doesn't it? That's what that organ is good for. You could try to play hip all you want, but when you swing that thing, there's no other feeling like it."

Bill Heid

Born in Pittsburgh, Bill Heid has performed throughout the USA, Canada and Europe. From 1965 to the mid-70s he played in the Hammond B-3 "chitlin' clubs" with his own groups as well as with other jazz artists. From 1975 to 1984, while based in Chicago, he fronted his own groups and toured with numerous blues artists. From 1963 through 1996, Heid pursued another career of sorts. He hitchhiked in the 48 continental states, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. From 1984 to 1999, Bill resided in Detroit, appearing on records with a host of Detroit blues legends. He has now relocated to suburban Washington, D.C. His blues and jazz keyboard work can be heard on many television programs and documentaries, and on NBC's "Dateline."

Mark Lincoln Braun

Mark Lincoln Braun, (aka Mr. B) is Ann Arbor's own boogie and blues piano impresario. Not only is he a riveting performer, but he's also and accomplished concert promoter and tireless advocate for blues and boogie. Mark was born and raised in Flint. He spent much of his teenage years here in Ann Arbor at the Blind Pig where he soaked up the playing of such greats as Little Brother Montgomery, Blind John Davis, and Boogie Woogie Red - all of whom became his friends. Mark has performed all over the world and has appeared on National Public Radio's "Mountain Stage," "Our Front Porch," "The Flea Market," "At the Bride" and "All Things Considered." He has recorded eight sessions as a leader and has also recorded with John Hammond and Duke Robillard on their projects, and most recently with Big Bill Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters.

Mr.B is an electrifying performer, a soulful singer and undeniably powerful pianist. His original music is taking blues, gospel and boogie into new territory.

Bob Seeley

Bob Seeley is known internationally as one of the world's premier boogie piano players. Born and raised in Detroit, Bob is a classically trained pianist whose early discovery of boogie woogie is our blessing. He learned boogie, stride and ragtime from recordings and folios. Among his great influences is Pat Flowers - Fats Waller's protégé and the boogie pioneer Meade Lux Lewis.

Bob watched Pat Flowers through the alley doorway of Bakers Keyboard Lounge when he was too young to enter the establishment, and his relationship with Lewis started in an equally unusual fashion. Bob says, "I met Meadie Lux Lewis after he played in Detroit. He invited me and my friends to a house party where he was playing. We beat Lewis there and I started playing one of his songs called "Chicago Flyer." As he came up the walk he asked, "Who's that stealing all my stuff?" From that beginning, Bob says, a friendship developed that lasted many years and shows its influence in his playing today.

Bob was also a friend to the great Eubie Blake, of whom Bob says, "Eubie was a great influence. He was a terrific gentleman from another era in time and a walking history of American music."