San Francisco 1977

Nicknamed "Boss of the Blues", "Big" Joe Turner's musical appeal spread well beyond his Kansas City roots: he was also a highly regarded jazz singer, as well as a musical godfather to every up and coming rock 'n' roll group, worldwide. He was discovered in his native Kansas City in the 1930s by impresario and record producer extraordinaire John Hammond, who brought him to New York for a concert at Carnegie Hall as well as dates at some of New York's most prestigious clubs. Invited by Duke Ellington to appear in his 1941 revue entitled": Jumo For Joy", it opened the door to perform with legendary jazz musicians such as Art Tatum, Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons and others.. By the 1950s, Joe had signed with Atlantic Records where he ushered in the rock 'n' roll era, performing such classics as "Shake, Rattle and Roll", "Morning, Noon and Night"TV Mama" (featured the slick guitar work of Elmore James) and "Chains of Love". This CD, recorded March 5, 1977 at the Palms Cafe in San Francisco, embodies all of Turners considerable talents and offers 23 tracks on 2 discs.