Blues Clubs.

When i first visited N.Y.C. in 1997 with my Blade R4 ,
I was so interested about the blues scene and the blues clubs in the city.
I soon found out from reading the Village Voice
about the Blues-Jam sessions and started participating, playing
and meeting with musicians from the local scene.

Big Ed was the first one i met.
He was guesting the jam night on wednesdays in a place called Manny`s Carwash.
There i saw Tinsley Ellis after reading about him in the Guitar Player .
I don`t even remember where it was.
But it was a legendary place that is sadly now closed.
Another legendary place that is closed down was The Chicago Blues club.
I remember Popa Chubby having his birtday party there.

I once went to Tramps to see Robin Trower .
What an amazing experience that was.After the concert i finally met The Man himself!
I gave him my CD and he gave me his.Signed too! What a great moment!
Another Live Music Venue that belongs to history.
One of the last apearances in Bottom Line ,another famous and fabulous venue
was Robben Ford .
Another guitar player that i really like and to whom i had sent
my latest CD from Athens and had heard very positive words.
His drummer that night was a Greek guy and we all met and hung out after the show.
Bottom line is now closed too.

It`s such a pity that the high rents in Manhattan forced these clubs out of business.
It should be some kind of law protecting them like cultural landmarks,
that help keeping this so unique and valuable form of the American culture Alive!