Reel To Reel: Born In Chicago

“Muddy Waters recorded a song called ‘The Blues Had a Baby and They Named it Rock and Roll.’ That, in a nutshell, is the story told in the new documentary Born In Chicago,” wrote Larry Rohter of The New York Times. Directed by GRAMMY nominee John Anderson and co-produced by GRAMMY winner John Beug and renowned musician Barry Goldberg, Born In Chicago chronicles the journey — both physical and spiritual — of middle class suburban kids to Chicago’s inner city where they learned the blues at the feet of the masters. Included in this group of musicians and artists were Paul Butterfield, Michael Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel, and Corky Siegel. Their pilgrimage from all white well-to-do neighborhoods into the ghetto, seeking the blues at its source, inspired the launch of thousands of bands over the years and kept the blues going as a vital musical force throughout the world and into the current century. The film includes performance and interview footage featuring the aforementioned artists as well as Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Steve Miller, Hubert Sumlin, Jack White, Charlie Musselwhite, Eric Burdon, Sam Lay, and Elvin Bishop. Following the screening, music industry veteran Bob Merlis will moderate a panel discussion featuring Barry Goldberg, harmonica master Corky Siegel, John Anderson, and drummer/vocalist Sam Lay. The evening will also feature a special performance from Lay, Siegel, Goldberg, vocalist Marcy Levy, Conan Show bandleader and guitarist Jimmy Vivino, drummer Gary Malber, and bassist Rick Reed.