Memphis Slim

Memphis Slim
Memphis Slim in 1980
Background information
Also known asPeter Chatman
Born
John Len Chatman

(1915-09-03)September 3, 1915
DiedFebruary 24, 1988(1988-02-24) (aged 72)
Paris, France
GenresBlues
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Piano
  • vocals
Years active1930s–1980s
Labels

John Len Chatman (September 3, 1915 – February 24, 1988), known professionally as Memphis Slim, was an American blues pianist, singer, and composer. He led a series of bands that, reflecting the popular appeal of jump blues, included saxophones, bass, drums, and piano. A song he first cut in 1947, "Every Day I Have the Blues", has become a blues standard, recorded by many other artists. He made over 500 recordings.

He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989.