OTIS SPANN

(Born March 21, 1930; died April 26, 1970)

Otis Spann played the piano as if it were a part of him, and as soon as he put one finger on the piano, you could feel the blues. He was also a convincing vocalist. He had a hazy voice that seemed dulled from years of abuse, but it contained the tones that rolled out blue and would hit you in the stomach with a “ka-thump”

Otis had played for the Muddy Waters band since 1953, and through them had become well known. His piano became an important part of Muddy Water’s sound. He also played with many other blues artists of the time, but didn’t start a solo career until 1960. He recorded with many many labels, and performed a lot all through the 1960’s.

In 1970, he was diagnosed with cancer, and died that year at age forty. His music, however still lives and his unique rollin’-along piano style will leave anyone at loss for words, no matter what year it is.