Sunnyland Slim

Albert Luandrew, known as Sunnyland Slim, was one of the patriarchs of postwar Chicago blues, a pianist, talent scout, and musical facilitator who played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in the development of the Chicago sound for over five decades. He arrived in Chicago from Mississippi in the late 1930s and became one of the most in-demand session pianists in the city, recording with Muddy Waters (he played on Waters's first Aristocrat session), Robert Lockwood Jr., and dozens of others. He recorded prolifically under his own name for numerous labels and was known as the unofficial 'mayor' of the Chicago blues scene: the man who connected young musicians with club owners, record labels, and session work. He continued performing and recording well into his eighties, a living link to the prewar Delta tradition.