Old Town Center for the Arts ~ Cottonwood, AZ

The Old Town Center for the Arts ~ Cottonwood, AZ

Jimi “Primetime” Smith & Bob Corritore Blues Band in Concert

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 7:00 PM

$25 Door

$22 Advanced General Seating

$27 Priority Seating in first 3 rows

Living Legends of Chicago Blues

Chicago Blues Veterans deliver a collaboration of hard-hitting, real-deal blues.

Jimi “Primetime” Smith came from the heart of the Maxwell Street blues scene - the son of influential blueswoman Johnnie Mae Dunson, he learned guitar from Jimmy Reed as a teenager. Jimi’s influencers list is a “who’s who” of the Blues. Over the years, Jimi has performed with scores of blues artists at major Blues Clubs in Chicago, including Big Walter Horton, Floyd Jones, Playboy Vinson, Sunnyland slim, Jimmie Johnson, Queen Slivia , Playboy Benson, Eddie Taylor, Fenton Robertson, and many more Chicagoland blues legends.

Jimi was sought after to play and back up such legends as Etta James, Albert King, Lady Bianca, Otis Rush, Albert Collins and “Baby Due” Caston. Jimi toured nationally (including the famous Minneapolis Blues Alley) and Internationally with many Blues Legends. Jimi and his famous mother Johnnie Mae Dunson also had the pleasure of playing with Paul Shaffer, Buddy Miles, Vernon Reed, and Elvis Costello at The Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York for A Great Night in Harlem benefit sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America. Jimi was again sought after to back up notable star talents, Dr John, Devell Crawford and others.

Blues harmonica master and producer Bob Corritore has gained a strong presence in today's blues market by releasing a solid output of music from his storied “Vaults” as well as current gems.

Bob first heard Muddy Waters on the radio at age 12, an event which changed his life forever. Within a year, he was playing harmonica and collecting blues albums. He would see blues shows in his early teens, including attending a Muddy Waters performance at his high school gymnasium. He cut his teeth sitting in on Maxwell Street with John Henry Davis and others until old enough to attend blues clubs. He hung around great harp players such as Big Walter Horton, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, Junior Wells, Big John Wrencher, and Carey Bell, and received harmonica tips and encouragement from many of them. He would regularly see the Aces, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Billy Boy Arnold, John Brim, Sunnyland Slim, Smokey Smothers, Eddie Taylor, and in many cases became personal friends with these blues veterans. Corritore worked with Tail Dragger, Big Moose Walker, Willie Buck, Louis and Dave Myers, and Eddie Taylor in the late 70s and early 80s. He also produced his first recordings during that time, taking unheralded harmonica greats such as Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks into the studio to produce their now classic debut albums.

Bob has received Blues Music Awards, Living Blues Awards, various Hall Of Fame inductions and has appeared on Grammy Nominated albums. Bob Corritore is also the owner and proprietor of the legendary Rhythm Room in Phoenix as well as being the host of KJZZ‘s long running blues program, Those Lowdown Blues.

Bob has been teaming with Jimi since reconnecting in Arizona 10 years ago, and their 2023 album World In A Jug received heavy rotation on SiriusXM Bluesville. With the rock solid veteran rhythm section of Brian Fahey on drums and Yahni Riley on bass, the Jimi Primetime Smith/Bob Corritore Blues Band deliver deep traditional rowdy blues fun. An evening of world renown music by two modern-day Chicago blues masters!

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