Biography
Otis Spann (March 21, 1930 – April 24, 1970) was an American blues musician widely considered the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.[1][2] Born in Jackson, Mississippi, to a musical family, Spann began playing piano at a young age under the tutelage of local musicians and piano legend Little Brother Montgomery.[3][4] By age 14, he was already performing in bands throughout the Jackson area, and his early exposure to blues piano came through his family's musical background and the influence of Chicago blues pioneers he would later study under.[1][3]
Spann relocated to Chicago in 1946, where Big Maceo Merriweather became his mentor and guide in the vibrant postwar Chicago blues scene.[1][5] He became Muddy Waters' piano player in late 1952 and participated in his first recording session with the band on September 24, 1953, going on to play on many of Waters' most famous songs including "Hoochie Coochie Man," "I'm Ready," and "Got My Mojo Working."[5] Beyond his work with Muddy Waters, Spann was a prolific session musician and solo recording artist, performing with Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Chuck Berry, and numerous other blues luminaries throughout his career.[1][3][5] His distinctive piano style—characterized by rumbling, rock-solid support and ruminant vocals—defined the pianist's role in postwar Chicago blues and earned him recognition as the first piano player inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.[2][3]
Spann died on April 24, 1970, from cancer at age 40, leaving behind an immeasurable legacy in blues music.[1][2] Tragically, he was laid in an unmarked grave for nearly 30 years until blues enthusiasts and Blues Revue Magazine collected donations to purchase a headstone unveiled in 1999.[1] Every blues piano player who followed Spann has borrowed from his influential style, cementing his position as one of the greatest blues pianists to have ever lived.[1]
Fun Facts
- Before becoming a full-time blues musician, Spann worked various jobs including as a semi-professional football player and professional boxer.[1]
- Spann had a fondness for tall tales that resulted in a confusing biography with uncorroborated stories about his background, including conflicting accounts of his birthplace (Jackson vs. Belzoni, Mississippi) and birth year (1924 or 1930), with some sources suggesting he was considerably older than his official age of 40 at death.[3][4]
- His grave remained unmarked for nearly 30 years after his death in 1970 until blues enthusiasts and Blues Revue Magazine united to collect donations and purchase a headstone, which was unveiled in 1999 with the inscription: 'Otis played the deepest blues we ever heard- he'll play forever in our hearts.'[1]
- His only minor hit single, 'Hungry Country Girl,' recorded with the Fleetwood Mac band, was not released until after his death from cancer on April 24, 1970.[2]
Associated Acts
- Otis Spann’s South Side Piano - piano
- Otis Spann’s South Side Piano - lead vocals
- The Muddy Waters Band
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Little Brother Montgomery - Piano legend based in Jackson, Mississippi who claimed Spann as a protege and provided early instruction (Early piano instruction and blues fundamentals) [1930s-1940s]
- Big Maceo Merriweather - Great Chicago blues pianist who took Spann under his wing upon his arrival in Chicago and mentored him in the Chicago blues scene (Mentorship and stylistic guidance) [1946 onwards]
Key Collaborators
- Muddy Waters - Primary collaborator and bandleader; Spann became Waters' piano player in late 1952 and remained with the band until 1968. Waters called him his 'half brother' due to their close relationship ("Hoochie Coochie Man," "I'm Ready," "Got My Mojo Working," and numerous Chess Records recordings) [1952-1968]
- Howlin' Wolf - Frequent collaborator on Chess Records recordings (Multiple Chess Records sessions) [1950s-1960s]
- Bo Diddley - Session musician collaborations on Chess Records (Chess Records recordings) [1950s-1960s]
- Little Walter - Collaborated on numerous Chess Records recordings (Chess Records sessions) [1950s-1960s]
- Peter Green - Guitarist who collaborated with Spann on solo album ("The Biggest Thing Since Colossus") [1969]
- Fleetwood Mac - Recorded with the band; his only minor hit single 'Hungry Country Girl' was recorded with Fleetwood Mac but released posthumously ("Hungry Country Girl") [Late 1960s]
- Eric Clapton - Collaborated on recordings for Decca (Decca recordings with Muddy Waters) [1960s]
- B.B. King - Collaborated on Chess Records session (1954 single "It Must Have Been the Devil" with Jody Williams) [1954]
Artists Influenced
- All subsequent blues piano players - Every blues piano player that followed Spann borrowed from his distinctive style and approach to the instrument (General stylistic influence on Chicago blues piano tradition) [1970 onwards]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Giant of the Blues | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| The Biggest Thing Since Colossus | 1969-03-25 | Album |
| Otis Spann Is The Blues (Remastered) | 1960-08-23 | Album |
| Someday | 2012-06-01 | Album |
| The Biggest Thing Since Colossus | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| Super Black Blues | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| The Blues Never Die! | 1990-01-01 | Album |
| Good Morning Mr. Blues | 2015-07-01 | Album |
| Walking The Blues (2024 Remaster) | 1972-01-01 | Album |
| Otis Spann | 1964-10-10 | Album |
| The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions | 2006-05-06 | Album |
| Walking The Blues | 1989 | Album |
| Otis Rides Again | 2015-06-27 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Someday (Electric) (Someday)
- Ain't Nobody's Business (The Biggest Thing Since Colossus)
- Bird in a Cage (Sweet Giant of the Blues)
- Moon Blues (Sweet Giant of the Blues)
- Take A Little Walk With Me - Remastered (Otis Spann Is The Blues (Remastered))
- Otis In The Dark - Remastered (Otis Spann Is The Blues (Remastered))
- Ain't Nobody's Business (The Biggest Thing Since Colossus)
- Train Fare Home - Paris, 4 Novembre 1968 (Restauración 2023) (Muddy Waters Blues Band Live Paris 1968 (Restauración 2023))
- Ring Up - Paris, 4 Novembre 1968 (Restauración 2023) (Muddy Waters Blues Band Live Paris 1968 (Restauración 2023))
- Blow Wind Blow - Paris, 4 Novembre 1968 (Restauración 2023) (Muddy Waters Blues Band Live Paris 1968 (Restauración 2023))
External Links
Tags: #blues, #chicago-blues, #piano-blues
References
Heard on WWOZ
otis spann has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2025 | 15:06 | the hard wayfrom otis spann is the blues | Sittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D |