Piano
Slim
Born
Robert T. Smith, a resident of St. Louis where he is known
as Piano Slim. He paid his dues way back in the '40s and
'50s in Houston, Texas working among such first rate bluesman
as Gatemouth Brown, Little Willie Littlefield, and Henry
Hayes. It was there that he made his first record for
a small label that also starred Smokey Hogg.
In
1959 he moved to St. Louis and recorded '"Workin'
Again" for the local Bobbin label, released along
with the works of Albert King and Little Milton. In
St. Louis Slim played in about any club or bar worth
mentioning and today there are no signs of him slowing
down.
His first album for the Swingmaster label, "Mean
Woman Blues", was recorded in August of 1981. Other
recordings and singles followed, such as the 1983 album,
"Gateway To The Blues". This led to six European
tours featuring Piano Slim as either a headliner, supporting
act, or sideman. When home in St. Louis, he continued
to play the local clubs and work with some of the areas
notable bluesmen, such as Tommy Bankhead and J.R. Reed.
In 1991, Slim was featured on a compilation of St. Louis'
blues artists on the Wolf Records label, called "St.
Louis Blues Today". Besides Piano Slim, this album
included songs and performances by Tommy Bankhead, Doc
Terry, J.R. Reed, Oliver Sam and Johnny Johnson.
During
this period, Slim began using a popular local St. Louis
band, Blues Inquisition, as his backup band. They performed
together at regular engagements and special events through
the mid nineties. In 1993 they recorded an album together,
"Minnie Skirt", his best produced album to
date. Shortly after that album was finished, Slim took
another "real job" driving a cab, to help
raise his grandson. After being "retired"
from that job in 2003, he's playing the blues again.
Don't miss his latest CD, "Sneaky People",
on the Swingmaster label.
Piano
Slim is back, and this time to stay. He will get everyone's
feet moving and faces smiling, and is again available
for hire with his own combo, or backed by Blues Inquisition.
Don't miss this opportunity to have one of the "Living
Legends" of the blues boogie down at your venue.
For booking and further information, please visit Slim's
website or call 636-946-5815.
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