Dave Specter

Bob Stroger: A Blues Legend

Blues legend Bob Stroger, born on December 27, 1930, is considered one of Chicago's top blues bassists. This Blues Music Award winner is respected and internationally well-known. A blues artist of this caliber is truly a rarity, and at almost the age of a century, he's still performing over 200 performances a year.

Bob was presented a proclamation award and the key to the city of Chicago, as a cherished, living legend. Bob has toured and performed with many prominent blues musicians in his lifetime, such as Sunnyland Slim, known for being one of the pioneers of Chicago blues, and Honey Boy Edwards, who performed with the legendary Robert Johnson. Bob has also had the honor of playing with Otis Rush, Eddie King, Rufus Forman, Koko Taylor, Pinetop Perkins, and Willie Big Eyes Smith, to name a few.

With all the achievements that Bob has received throughout his life, he still feels that his fans are his biggest reward and his love for music is what keeps him going each day. As he famously says, "I'm Bob Stroger and I am the Blues!"

Ben Levin: A Rising Star

Ben Levin is a pianist/vocalist based in Cincinnati, OH. Ben has released four albums on the Vizztone Label Group and has three Blues Music Award nominations including best piano player of the year (2023, 2024).

Ben's latest album, "Take Your Time," released in October 2022, features collaborations with blues legends Lil Ed, Bob Stroger, and Lil Jimmy Reed. The album received daily airplay for two months on Sirius XM radio and reached number seven on Living Blues radio charts.

Based on the success of their single, "I've Been Drinking Muddy Water," Ben and Lil Jimmy joined forces again in the studio with Ben producing and co-writing songs with Jimmy. "Back To Baton Rouge" was released in May 2023 on NOLA Blue and reached number two on Living Blues radio charts.

In October 2023, Ben released an EP, "Waiting Just For You," on Vizztone with Bay area-based jazz vocalist Stella Heath. They hired legendary Cincinnati jazz musicians Art Gore on drums (who has worked with artists such as George Benson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Lonnie Liston Smith) and Jim Anderson on bass (who has worked with artists such as Art Blakey, Ernestine Anderson, and Hank Crawford).

With Stella's background in jazz and a love for blues, and Ben's background in blues with a love for jazz, the two met musically in the middle. "Waiting Just For You" showcases four duets in a style where blues and jazz intersect to create a beautiful, classic sound.