Guitar Slim Jr.

"The second day of New Orleans Jazz Fest - Saturday, April 26 - could be called a homage to fine musicianship. In addition to headliners Phish, the schedule features Branford Marsalis, Keb' Mo', John Cleary and Guitar Slim Jr. Each of the artists mentioned represent the finest active musicians in the world with pedigree that has been earned, not paid for. Guitar Slim Jr. is the son of New Orleans R&B guitarist Guitar Slim. Junior has carved out a place for himself in music on his own. At one time he toured with Stevie Ray Vaughan after the legendary guitarist from Texas and Slim became friends in the 1980s. In 1998, Guitar Slim Jr. was nominated for a Grammy for his album "Story of My Life," which portrays his hardscrabble upbringing and his struggle for self-identity. He is a regular performer in NOLA and nationwide." - AXS Music

"If you like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, or newcomer Gary Clark, Jr., you’ll dig Guitar Slim, Jr. Known for his funky blues sound, musical lineage (as the son of Blues icon Eddie “Guitar Slim” Jones) and influence on the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughn, New Orleans native Rodney Armstrong—better known as Guitar Slim, Jr.—will once again grace the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival this year. The Grammy-nominated Bluesman offers a bright, melodic guitar sound and smooth voice as he sings about regret, love, his experiences as a Louisiana native, and life’s simple pleasures. Slim will have you on your feet and dancing in the aisles when he plays not only his own tunes, but also soulful standards such as Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Pride and Joy,” Ray Charles’ “Feel So Bad,” or his father’s hit, “Things I Used to Do.” Guitar Slim, Jr. is a must-see for any blues or rock & roll enthusiast." - AXS Music

Guitar Slim Jr, otherwise known as Rodney Armstrong, is a Crescent City staple, so it was only fitting that his early-afternoon set at the Blues Tent was packed to the gills with adoring fans of the artist and his impassioned guitar work.

Slim, whose first album Story of My Life was nominated for a Grammy in 1988, ran through a who’s who of blues legends during his set, much to the delight of the crowd.

Early on, Slim was even joined by legendary Bayou musician Allen Toussaint for a version of a song his father, Guitar Slim Sr., made famous, “The Things That I Used to Do,” and “Trouble Don’t Last.” As the surprise guest walked off the stage, the guitarist urged the audience out of their seats for a well-deserved standing ovation.

Slim, sharply dressed in a pristine white tuxedo with a bright pink vest and tie, also paid homage to a few great bluesmen who have passed.

Ray Charles got a nod with a hand-clapping version of “Feel So Bad,” and it was fitting that Slim tipped his cap to his longtime friend Stevie Ray Vaughan to end his show.

Slim did Vaughan proud, wielding his Stratocaster with tone that could have passed for SRV’s on a searing “Pride and Joy.”

Annual Jazz Fest attendees have come to expect a solid weekend of blues in this Blues Tent, and Slim more than delivered.

- MDuffy - Fender Magazine (Apr 27, 2013)

Guitar Slim Jr.'s early afternoon set at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz Fest's Blues Tent was a rare turn in the spotlight for him. Slim Jr., aka Rodney Armstrong, has spent much of his career working the blues back roads. His regular rotation includes grueling Bourbon Street shifts and neighborhood joints far removed from the marquee venues.

But his pedigree is first rate -- his father was the original Guitar Slim, whose "The Things That I Used to Do" is a signpost on the road between rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll. His meaty voice hovers between a soul shout and a blues bark, similar to Walter "Wolfman" Washington's, but without the falsetto. And his clipped, rough-hewn guitar lines are the sound of the chitlin circuit personified.

Resplendent in a white suit and pink vest, tie and shoes, Slim fronted a sympathetic ensemble of regular and semi-regular collaborators: Keyboardist Jan Clements, guitarist Frank Spangler, bassist Anthony Garner and Ernest "Box" Fontenot, best known as Fats Domino's latter-day drummer.


Guitar Slim, Jr., right, plays alongside pianist Allen Toussiant, left, in the Blues Tent at the New Orleans and Festival on Friday, April 26, 2013.
Chris Granger, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Early in the set, the band also included one notable special guest: Allen Toussaint, instigating one of the first major surprise sit-ins of the still young Jazz Fest. Toussaint added piano to "The Things That I Used to Do" and "Trouble Don't Last," sprinkled over Clements' church organ.

Elsewhere, Slim sweated through a set of standards and the occasional original composition, including "Tough Louisiana Man." He dug into "Feel So Bad" and "Postman," giving them a workout.

He wrapped up the set with a faithful rendition of his late buddy Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy." His inflections and tone were remarkably similar to Vaughan's; so, too, the shuffling arrangement. He adapted "Pride and Joy" to his repertoire, treating it like another blues/R&B standard, as a working bluesman should. - - Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune (Apr 26, 2013)

Much of the six-string action happened at the Blues Tent, beginning with the son of the late New Orleans blues star Guitar Slim. Rodney Armstrong, aka Guitar Slim Jr. Dressed in a gleaming white suit and pink vest and tie, Slim Jr.’s show must be among the best, most focused Jazz Fest sets he’s ever played. And his vocal performance for “Pride and Joy,” a song identified with Steve Ray Vaughan, sounded close enough to Vaughan to be the late Texas singer-guitarist. Slim Jr.’s special guest Allen Toussaint, the brilliant New Orleans songwriter, pianist and producer, joined him at the piano for a performance of Guitar Slim Sr.’s greatest hit, “The Things That I Used to Do.” Toussaint smiled as he uncharacteristically pounded out primitive piano blues and then, once the song ended, kissed Slim Jr.’s hand before making his exit.
- John Wirt, The Advocate (Apr 27, 2013) - The Advocate (April 27, 2013)

In the Groove. "Front Page Picture in The Times-Picayune" - The Times-Picayune (Apr 28, 2013)

“Guitar Slim Jr., the son of bluesman Eddie ‘Guitar Slim’ Jones, Junior (aka Rodney Armstrong) drew a Grammy nomination for this first album and has plied his trade surely, though out of the limelight. His style incorporates soul, funk and blues rock.” - Gambit, Volume 31, Number 16, Page 41, April 20, 2010

“Building on the success of its two previous tours, the 2009 program will start in Mississippi and make its first visit to New Orleans. The Thelonious Monk Institute will introduce its ‘Blues and Jazz: Two American Classics’ curriculum to thousands of New Orleans Public school students April 22-24, 2009, in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month. Grammy-nominated and featured artist, New Orleans blues musician Guitar Slim, Jr. with other guest will headline the tour.

Guitar Slim, Jr., the son of Eddie ‘Guitar Slim’ Jones, grew up on the same New Orleans streets where his father played until his untimely death in 1958. Born Rodney Armstrong, Slim’s early life was a hard one and by the age of 16 he was living in a boy’s home. After a chance meeting with Little Richard at a club, Slim became obsessed with music and especially the guitar, his father’s instrument. This obsession paid off in 1988 when his album, ‘The Story of My Life,’ was nominated for a Grammy. A veteran in the New Orleans club scene for more than two decades, Guitar Slim, Jr. continues to blaze his own trail in the music world, threading R&B, blues, soul, and jazz into a unique approach.”
- Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

“A real gem, though, is seeing him live, which isn’t hard to do if you’re nearby New Orleans. One can often catch Slim on Bourbon Street, entertaining audiences and rip roaring out songs from dearly departed friend and musical collaborator Stevie Ray Vaughan as though the Stetson hat wearing guitar master’s ghost was sitting at the bar. Slim Jr. is a standout entertainer, and can expertly play such a broad variety of genres and styles, the many other musical acts in the area pale in comparison. Slim is a must-see act in New Orleans.” - Bluescentric.com Editor (Columbia, Missouri)

“Roomful of Blues: The 2010 NOJAZZFEST kept the crowd in a happy mood with various hues of the Blues in the Blues Tent. Blues lovers crowded into the Blues Tent for the first weekend of JazzFest, April 23rd-25th, 2010, for their fix of just what the good doctor ordered-The Blues. Many people were not shy about dancing (boogie to the blues). Artists showcased soul blues, slow blues, delta blues and rock blues. These marvelous artists consisted of Little Freddie King, Kenny Neal, Elvin Bishop, Marc Stone, Grandpa Elliott, Lil’ Buck Senegal Blues Band, Davell Crawford & One Foot in the Blues with special guest Dr. John & Jon Cleary, gospel and blues of the Campbell Brothers, Tab Benoit, Henry Gray & The Cats with Carol Fran, Robert ‘1-String’ Gibson, Guitar Slim, Jr., and Jonny Lang.” - EUR On the Scene

Blu Papa found Guitar Slim Jr. at Sweet Lorraines to play Lucky 7. Mr Slim has been nominated for a Grammy and will be playing at Jazz Fest on April 25th.

BP: Hey, good to finally catch up with you.
GS: Same here, same here, and good to meet ya, man.
BP: Ready to do these questions?
GS: Let's do them, baby, you know I'm ready for anything anytime.
BP: We're going to move right from the Carlo Ditta interview to yours.

He says you like cooking - tell me what your favorite foods are.
GS: Red beans and rice and butter beans - and I like spaghetti with green onions smothered with it and a big bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce and boiled chicken. Yeah, that's what I like.

Has it been hard being Guitar Slim Jr in th Music Business?
GS: Yeah, it's been hard.
BP: Why?
GS: Not getting paid right. I'm going to start playing more original stuff, my music, and more of my daddy's music. I think some of the stuff I've done could have been better. I got this music video online, and I don't like it. The musicians weren't up for it, 'cause the money wasn't right., you know?

But I'm positive, I'm doing things, I'm not drinking anymore, I got 17 grandbabies, I'm living in a beautiful neighborhood, around nothing but millionaires and I'm happy. I ain't got no money, but I'm happy.

When you made the grammy nominated album, did you have a clue that it would be recieved so well?
GS: Somebody told me, who was real close to me, "that album ain't going around the corner", menaing it was going to be a flop. Somebody real close to me, I'm serious. Then people got ahold of it and loved it - but I never thought about no Grammy. I wanted to go on Soul Train - I'd be happy! [laughs]
BP: Did you ever try?
GS: Not with them blues [laughing]. Stevie Ray Vaughn once told me something. It was like he wanted to leave me with something. You know, like my daddy, he left me something in my plan.

It was at Jazz Fest. I was walking by the stageand all I heard was the last E note and BAM! and the MC sayin' "Stevie Ray Vaughan" and the crowds going wild. I'm like "Son of a bitch, I been here all day and I didn't know Stevie Ray was here"

So I go to the backstage barricade and say, "Tell Stevie Ray Guitar Slim Jr's out here." I wait a few minutes and Stevie comes and lets me in, and we start talking about stuff like drink'n and party'n, and man I was full up drunk, [laughing] back then. So Stevie gives me this Al-anon book and signed it. Later he was going out to sign autographs and I went with him.

I take off his hat, you know, the one with the big white feather in it, and put it on. That's how drunk i was, and people snaping pictures all over the place, and Stevie didn't say shit. You know - that's how he was. Man I cried like a baby when he passed. Just fell out.

But I don't drink no more - I'm cool.

You grew up in New Orleans. What was your favorite part of growing up here?
GS: Everything, Audubon Park, and the lake front, hanging out with Earl King, He was a big influence musically, hanging with Curtis Mitchell, Guitar Joe. Man, I had a great time as a kid. Still do.

Who is your favorite artist in New Orleans right now?
GS: Walter Wolfman Washington. Les Getrix, Darryll Johnson, Troy Turner. They're all great guitar players.

Where do you like to hang out?
Audubon Park at the zoo, I just like to walk around the park, hang in the sun, in the shade. Yeah, man.

Last question - who should I interview next?
GS: Les Getrex, he's a great player. He plays at the Gazebo a lot and Donna's. And Baby Wolf - he plays at Blues Club on Bourbon. He'll remind you of Walter Washington, you know.
BP: Thanks for hanging out, man
GS: Yeah man, just remember I got my daddy's blood - I'll terrorize you musically like Wyatt Earp, man!
BP: Yeah, you right.
GS: You know I'm just joking - I'm not big headed, you know.
BP: Yes sir. Thank you so much.
GS: All right! [laughing]

As we parted, he sprayed holy water on me and himself. It was a good blessing. - Nola Defender

“Roomful of Blues: The 2010 NOJAZZFEST kept the crowd in a happy mood with various hues of the Blues in the Blues Tent. Blues lovers crowded into the Blues Tent for the first weekend of JazzFest, April 23rd-25th, 2010, for their fix of just what the good doctor ordered-The Blues. Many people were not shy about dancing (boogie to the blues). Artists showcased soul blues, slow blues, delta blues and rock blues. These marvelous artists consisted of Little Freddie King, Kenny Neal, Elvin Bishop, Marc Stone, Grandpa Elliott, Lil’ Buck Senegal Blues Band, Davell Crawford & One Foot in the Blues with special guest Dr. John & Jon Cleary, gospel and blues of the Campbell Brothers, Tab Benoit, Henry Gray & The Cats with Carol Fran, Robert ‘1-String’ Gibson, Guitar Slim, Jr., and Jonny Lang.” - EUR On the Scene