Bob Koester was one of the few non-musicians inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. As a student Koester began trading in second hand jazz and blues records. The sideline became all-consuming, so much so, his university told him not to bother returning for his final year. Relocating to Chicago, Koester, by this time already releasing albums, set up Delmark Records and opened the doors to his Jazz Record Mart store which would attract collectors and musicians alike from around the world.
Frequenting Chicago's South Side clubs and recording and issuing an eclectic roster of artists - Sun Ra, Anthony Braxton, Jimmy Dawkins (later to appear at the Newcastle Jazz Festival) - won Koester respect. Junior Wells'
Hoodoo Man Blues on Delmark has become a collector's item. When Koester began listening to the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and collecting 78s he couldn't possibly have imagined that many years later music fans around the world, not least here on Tyneside, would treasure their copies of
Hoodoo Man Blues (Junior Wells played Newcastle City Hall with long-term musical partner Buddy Guy) and have a Delmark Records' poster on their walls. In London, Jalen N'Gonda's recent
Hoodoo Man Blues' set at Kansas Smitty's will help ensure his legacy lives on.
Bob Koester died on May 12 at the age of 88.
Russell
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