Bob Margolin brings his blues to Whippany on Sunday

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Bob Margolin brings his blues to Whippany on Sunday
December 4, 2009
By JENNIFER L. NELSON
The Daily Record

Sing the blues with North Carolina-based blues guitarist Bob Margolin at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center in Whippany at 7 p.m. on Sunday. The longtime guitarist, songwriter and producer played in Chicago blues legend Muddy Waters' band from 1973 to 1980.

"The musicians I have learned from, past and present, are so powerful and inspiring," Margolin said. "I'm honored to be a guitar player. I fell in deep and haven't crawled out yet."

Margolin will be accompanied by fellow North Carolinians Chuck Cotton on drums and Matt Hill on bass and guitar, with a special visit by Glen Ridge-based blues guitarist and vocalist Dave Gross. The set list, Margolin said, will weave deep, "old school" blues with rock 'n' roll, R&B and rockabilly.

"We want to entertain, move and rock our audience," he said. "We'll play whatever feels right in the moment."

Inspired by Chuck Berry, Margolin first picked up the guitar in 1964 and almost immediately began playing in rock bands. He was drawn to the sound of the blues, Muddy Waters in particular. Waters became familiar with Margolin's style of "old school" Chicago blues. After Margolin went to see Waters perform at Paul's Mall in Boston in August 1973, he ended up being hired to replace longtime guitarist Sammy Lawhorn in Waters' band.

"Bob Margolin is the living link between the old blues masters and contemporary blues music," said John Muller, concert promoter. "His influence as a guitar player has stretched for decades, and (Morris Countyans) will get to see him up onstage putting a contemporary spin on the old blues in his own special way."

In 1980, Margolin started his own band and still records and tours with a group of blues musicians in the Bob Margolin Blues Band and the Muddy Waters Reunion Band. He has been honored with awards ranging from a 2004 W.C. Handy Award for Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live Legacy Edition to the 2008 Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist: Guitar.

He has produced or co-produced his own albums, including 2007's "In North Carolina," and launched his own record company, the Vizztone Label Group.

"I love the way blues music brings all kinds of people together — people of all races, ages, nationalities, genders and income," Margolin said. "When the house is rockin', nothing hurts, and nothing else matters."

Margolin will be performing as part of the Splatter Concert series at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center. Instituted by the Rev. Dan Staniskis of Our Lady of Mercy in 2002 to raise church and charitable funds while bringing musical artists to Morris County, the series offers affordably priced concerts in what Staniskis calls the "best performing space around."

"The intimate space provides the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with musicians that you wouldn't get in a larger venue," Muller said. "They sign autographs, take pictures and hang out with everyone. It's really an experience."