The Legendary Blues Band comprises Calvin Jones (b.1926, Greenwood, Mississippi; bass, violin), Willie Smith (b.1935, Helena, Arkansas; drums), and additional musicians handling vocals, guitar, harmonica, and piano. After the Muddy Waters band resigned collectively in 1980, the majority of those supporting players remained united and launched an independent ensemble. Named The Legendary Blues Band, the group featured Pinetop Perkins, Jerry Portnoy, Willie Smith, and Calvin Jones during its formative period. On its debut release for Rounder in 1981, short-term guitarist Louis Myers, also a Muddy Waters veteran, contributed. Personnel shifts have occurred steadily since then; although the roster has grown less distinguished in reputation and past affiliations, the sound has stayed consistent with core Chicago blues traditions. A subsequent lineup even reached the Billboard Black Music charts. Guitarist Billy Flynn and harmonicist Madison Slim appear on more recent recordings. Jones and Smith’s rhythm section has sustained the group across every transition, consistently supplying assured Chicago blues performances.
