Little Arthur Duncan & Phil Guy, RIP

We just got word last night of the death of Chicago-based harmonica player and vocalist Little Arthur Duncan. He suffered a stroke several months ago, and had been in a nursing home. Duncan, born in Indianola, MS in 1934, spent most of his years in the blues in the capacity of a tavern owner, often sitting in with groups he hired. In more recent years he’s been active on the blues circuit, and last year recorded his third CD, Live At Rosa’s Blues Lounge on the Delmark label, which was also issued as a DVD. 

I had the privilege of visiting and interviewing Little Arthur–a wonderfully friendly and humble man–at his South Side apartment earlier this year while he was preparing a soul food feast for his own birthday bash at Rosa’s, which was a wonderful event. Below is a preview clip of Little Arthur at Rosa’s from the Delmark DVD. The band here features guitarist Rick Kreher, who was in Muddy Waters’ last band, guitarist Illinois Slim (on the big Gibson), bassist Michael Azzi, and drummer Twist Turner, who runs a studio in Chicago.

PHIL GUY

Phil Guy. Photo by James Fraher (from Guy's website)

We also received reports of the death yesterday of Phil Guy, Buddy’s younger brother and a strong artist in his own right, after a battle with cancer. Like Buddy, he was born and raised in Lettsworth, Louisiana (in 1940). Phil began playing blues in Baton Rouge with artists including Raful Neal, and in the late ’50s accompanied Buddy on his first recordings. He also recorded with Slim Harpo and Raful Neal. He joined Buddy’s band in the late ’60s, and worked with many of the city’s other leading artists. His own career took off in the ’80s, and he recorded for a variety of European labels.

 
For more information as well as video clips visit Guy’s website