From House Concerts to Nightclubs: A Blues Lover’s Dream Weekend

Celebrating the heart of the blues — from backyard sets to packed dance floors — with Primer and Bell

Not everyone gets the privilege of spending an entire weekend immersed in the inimitable tone of three-time Grammy nominee and Blues Hall of Fame legend John Primer — backed by the masterful harmonica of Steve Bell. But that’s exactly what I had the honor of experiencing the weekend of August 29–31. From intimate conversations to electrifying performances, it was an unforgettable blend of raw talent and deep blues tradition.

The first evening, within an intimate setting at Artichoke Music, the legendary duo sat down for an exclusive interview with none other than Portland’s own harp slinger, Kim Fields. With every question Fields posed, a new layer of personal stories, musical insights, and humor emerged from Primer and Bell, giving the audience a glimpse into the heart of their craft and lives. One such story was about Primer’s childhood, growing up in a family of musicians — especially on his father’s side — and his early years spent on Mississippi sharecropper land, where his grandparents worked. He recalled people singing while picking cotton and corn. He started playing at six years old and said playing guitar was just as tough as picking cotton — he called it “a hard job.”  Primer shared the story of his dream to one day play with Muddy Waters — a dream that eventually came true after he left Mississippi at eighteen and moved straight to Chicago. It was there that another musician introduced him to Junior Wells, launching his career in the city’s vibrant blues scene.

Fields introduced Steve Bell as part of one of the royal families of the blues — his father was the late, legendary Carey Bell. Continuing his family’s rich blues legacy, Steve answered questions before we had a chance to hear him play. He said his father showed him how to play the harmonica when he was just four years old. Then, pulling out his cellphone, he showed the audience a picture of a small boy with a harmonica in his mouth. The audience responded with an adoring “ahhh.” At one point, Fields turned the mic toward the crowd, inviting the audience to ask their own questions, adding a relaxed, open feel to the conversation.

But it wasn’t all just talk. In between questions, the room came alive with the unmistakable sound of Chicago Blues, as John Primer’s guitar rang out steeped in the traditions of the South Side — drawing everyone into the very pulse of the blues. He also played several original songs from his newest CD, Grown in Mississippi, released earlier this year. On his website, Primer writes, “Mississippi is very dear to me and inspires me every day.” Two especially resonant renditions — “Born in Mississippi” and “Nothin’ but a Chicken Man” — offer vivid glimpses into life in Mississippi, rich in storytelling and steeped in tradition.

Steve Bell’s harmonica played like it had a life of its own—smooth and soulful, riding the rhythm like a train on Southern tracks, with the kind of effortless mastery only someone deeply steeped in the genre’s traditions can deliver. There was one distinct sound he pulled off — that of an old-fashioned handsaw: a wavering metallic hum, rising and falling like an eerie musical note. I’d never heard anything like it played on a harmonica before. Toward the end, there was a harmonica blow-off as Primer strummed a cover of a classic by his greatest influence, Muddy Waters.  He broke into “Got My Mojo Working,” and Bell and Fields played along with their own distinct styles. It wasn’t just music; it was a conversation between instruments, a call and response that had the audience excited about participating when everyone repeated, “I got my mojo working.”

On Saturday evening, my blues journey continued at the Headliner’s Club in Lake Oswego—and what a night it turned out to be! The vibe was electric and totally different from the previous evening, thanks in part to the large, energetic dance floor that kept the crowd moving. The venue was packed with Blues lovers from across the Portland metro area, including a strong showing of CBA members—and even our friend, Portland’s legendary “Boogie Cat,” Norman Sylvester made an appearance with his lovely wife Paula sitting directly across from my table.

The night kicked off with two stellar opening sets from Kivett Bednar and Ben Rice, both phenomenal guitarists with their own distinct flavors. Each set included a few covers along with original songs. Kivett, with his smooth, bluesy tone and storytelling charm, drew us in with a personal memory of visiting the iconic Antone’s Club back in the day when he lived in Austin, just to soak in the sounds of legendary blues bands. Then he showed us he could channel those greats with ease—his playing was raw, expressive, and full of heart. Several of the songs he sang were Howlin’ Wolf’s Smokestack Lighting, Muddy Water’s Champagne and Reefer and the number 1 on the R & B billboard from 1965, Wilson Pickett’s 634-5789. Even John Primer, a true legend of the blues, gave Kivett a nod of respect when he told me, “He’s good!”—high praise from someone who’s seen and played with the best.

The Blues Ninja himself, Ben Rice followed with a funkier, high-energy soul vibe that got the crowd back on the dance floor. His dynamic set mixed a couple of blues tunes with playful R&B flourishes — and even tossed in a tune with a Latin-inflected groove. Since it was my first time seeing the band, nothing surprised me more than watching Ben Rice pick up a home-made washboard guitar and tear into some lowdown blues titled “Get Down.”  When his two horn players strutted in sync as they played, it added a fun, theatrical touch that lit up the stage.

Of course, the final act was once again “The Real Deal”—John Primer, joined by his talented sidekick, Steve Bell. These two brought the house down. Steve reminded us of what we already knew: the man can make that harp sing — and it’s mighty impressive.  But more than that, he has an unmistakable signature sound — like wind howling through a Chicago alley. His harmonica tone gets your feet tapping and your head nodding — like it or not.

Night three brought a change of pace—imagine a large, one-acre backyard turned into a private outdoor blues jukejoint. That’s where my final stop of the weekend led me. Outside, on a 30 x 18-foot deck, guitars rested on stands in the corner, classic amps frozen in time, and the air buzzed with friendly chatter. By the time I arrived, almost 90 people were already seated in their lawn chairs on the grass, and more were still coming in through the gate.

It was a laid-back, bring-a-dish, BYOB, kick-off-your-shoes kind of event — personal and full of that bluesy atmosphere, running from late afternoon into the evening. The deck was the spotlight—with a garden of flowers on the opposite side and trees swaying gently in the breeze. When the music starts, the chatter fades, and the crowd settles in, just feet away from the performers. Every note, every lyric draws a few listeners toward the deck, where they begin to move, almost instinctively, with the rhythm.

It’s more than a backyard concert — it’s a gathering of kindred spirits, connected by music, food, and the comfort of being welcomed into someone’s home. And this time, John and Steve were joined by the rock-solid duo of David Hudson on drums and Brady Kish on bass. Together, the four anchored every song with precision and expression. Hudson’s drumming was crisp and steady, locking in with Kish’s deep, warm bass lines to lay down that unmistakable Chicago blues foundation.

Before I left that evening, I asked John and Steve how their Portland experience had been. John Primer smiled and said, “It’s a great place for the blues, and it’s great to see how the people support and love blues.” Steve Bell chimed in with a grin: “I love it! There are lots of nice people.”

It was a weekend to remember — three nights of unforgettable blues, from the intimacy of a house concert in a backyard to the energy of a packed nightclub. The icing on the cake was getting to know Primer and Bell on a personal level through the stories they shared — and walking away with their autographs. As the saying goes, “You can’t paint the blues without the Primer.” And after witnessing John Primer live, it’s clear why. His presence, voice, and guitar work laid down a foundation so authentic and rich, it reminded everyone in the room that real blues starts with the real ones — and that’s exactly why they call him the Real Deal.

By Mercedez, Blues in the Schools Committee Chairperson