Magic Slim memorial tribute set for Chicago

MAGIC SLIM MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AND BENEFIT SET FOR CHICAGO The blues community will come together to honor Magic Slim, a towering figure in the genre for many years who passed away on February 21st at the age of 75.   A NIGHT FOR MAGIC, a tribute to Magic Slim, will take place on Thursday, March 28th in Chicago. Born Morris Holt in Torrance, Mississippi in 1937, the guitarist, performer, bandleader, and recording artist went on to enjoy a career that brought him national and international recognition and acclaim. He was considered one of the foremost practitioners of the raw, gut-bucket, back alley blues associated with the postwar Chicago blues sound. He and his band, the Teardrops, became known as the "last real Chicago blues band" and were one of the busiest and best-loved blues groups around.   "A NIGHT FOR MAGIC" THURSDAY, MARCH 28th THE MAYNE STAGE 1328 W. MORSE AVENUE, CHICAGO 7:00 pm  TICKETS $25 The host band for the evening will be The Teardrops, fronted by Slim's son, Shawn Holt, who just became a member of the band at the beginning of the year. The rest of the lineup will include John Primer, Otis Clay, Eddy Clearwater, Billy Branch, Lonnie Brooks, Wayne Baker Brooks, Dave Specter, Eddie Shaw, Nick Moss, Grana Louise, Big Time Sarah, Zac Harmon, Carl Weathersby, J.W. Williams, Jimmy Burns, Linsey Alexander, Steve Cushing, the Chicago Blues All-Stars and more to be announced.  All proceeds from the event will go to Slim's family. For those who can't make the event but would like to make a donation to the family, donations can be made to Magic Slim's wife, Ann Holt, and mailed to her c/o Slim's manager, Martin Salzman, at 22 W. Washington, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602. Slim's slash and burn guitar technique, booming vocals, and intense style was the blueprint that spawned much of the music played by modern blues artists and rock and rollers.  Living Blues magazine called Slim and the Teardrops "a national treasure." and they became one of the most sought-after headliners for festivals in Europe, Japan, and South America. Magic Slim and the Teardrops won the coveted Blues Music Award in 2003 as "Blues Band of the Year," one of six times Slim won a BMA, considered the highest honor in the blues.  In 2011 the state of Mississippi erected a Blues Trail Marker in Slim's honor in front of a building in Grenada where his mother operated a restaurant.  For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.