Man I so love the living Blues legend and three times Grammy Award winning Bobby Rush! This was such a special night. 92 years young, born Emmett Ellis Jnr on 10th November 1933, Rush defies time and ageing in his grooves, moves, sound, vocals and style. He is the ultimate cool Blues dude too, and whatever Bobby takes for his elixir of fit longevity, I want some too! Indeed, it just has got to be his enduring love for his music and the mutual energetic exchange between him, his band, his backing singer Mizz Lowe, and his adoring multigenerational audience.

A pastor’s son from Louisiana, tonight Rush transported his musical church to the Jazz Café with deep passion and verve. Rush’s deeply edged face is the tell all for his long life experience, with over 400 records, multiple awards and then finally at the age of 83, his first Grammy award for the album 'Porcupine Meat'. Rush has also played with Ike Turner, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, as well as contributing and performing in the 2025 film 'Sinners'. Indeed, Rush’s back catalogue and life story is awesome and yes he is also the subject of a new forthcoming documentary to be released in August 2026 called 'King of the Chitlin’ Circuit'.

In London, for one night only, as part of his international Bobby Rush’s Bluesman Tour, the now iconic Jazz Café provided the right, raw, intimate, smoky set up and vibe to hear and feel Rush’s soulful brand of the Blues. The venue so suited Rush, indeed it was like being in a 1930’s cabaret style club and I felt truly blessed to be there up close to see Rush live. I can also tell you from hanging out on the international Blues circuit that any serious Blues man and girl has the utmost respect for Bobby Rush, hence Blues Matters' Steve Yourglivitch, Big Joe Louis plus ex editor of Blues in Britain Fran Leslie, were all at this gig.

I'd previously seen him at The Camden Forge, where he hypnotically held the audience throughout a solo set with his electric acoustic guitar licks, rich harmonica vocals and his perfectly timed foot stomping! I also saw him again in London last July, supporting Kenny Wayne Shepherd at the much larger O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, where they were showcasing their collaborative album, 'Young Fashioned Ways', which Rush frankly hijacked, performing his set with charm and chutzpah. Therefore, I wanted to see Rush with his own band and the small stage of the Jazz Café, local to me, was ideal!

Sporting a beautiful blue and white butterfly filled showbizzy jacket and silver Diamante shoes, jet black haired Rush crooned and flirted, displaying his flawless Mississippi sax harmonica from the soul, playing and charming the audience. Bobby danced, street style a la Michael Jackson, kicked his legs in the air and grooved on stage, having such fun with himself, his band as well as with us, the agog ticket-goers!

A superb old fashioned entertainer, cabaret in style, Rush was also the musical director tonight, cueing and shaping his tight and energetic band's sound during their set. Providing the beat and bassline from which Rush’s harmonica and soulful singing soared, the smiling Bruce Howard's unobtrusive drumming was complemented by the deep, fluid fretwork of Arthur Cooper, sitting down on bass, who duly delivered the Funk Blues goods, living up to his "Funkapuss" nickname. Given his Funk Soul contribution was essential, Robert Williams played smoothly and with polish on his Les Paul, while Steve Ray Ladson, guesting on keys provided a magical extra dimension, under the gracious and respectful direction of this loving elder statesman.

This evening the audience were treated to such special versions of 'Aint Studdin Ya', 'Chicken Head', 'Three Things', 'Man Like Me', 'G String', 'Hey Hey Bobby Rush', 'My Babe', 'River Invitational' and 'Mystery Train'. Every bassline harp note and vocal from Rush was precious, and so too was this set! The fabulous curvy liciousness of the black skin tight bodysuited, Mizz Lowe, also saw some bootylicious, shaker, dancing grooves and moves from her, which brought such joy to Rush, the band, the crowd and myself. I also loved her vocals, as well as being inspirational for curvy women like me, in how to look sassy, sexy, move and delight!

Forget about being woke! To Rush this amazing lady is rightfully an object of beauty, shouting "look at that”, duly admiring her doing her dancing thing on stage. She not only assists Rush on stage in order that he can feed off of her, but she also keeps Bobby young with her tenderlovin‘ respectful care as his super competent Executive Assistant, who intuits her boss’s needs off stage with latter merch sales! Indeed, Lowe is intrinsic to Rush’s living elixir mix on the road and stage, enabling him to do what Bobby lives to do, that is entertain and spread his brand of the Blues!

Tonight I salute both Bobby Rush and Mizz Lowe, and may our paths cross again! I’m also looking forward to seeing that documentary too! Enjoy the rest of your tour and your music Bobby! May you live long, still make music and prosper!

Review, photos and video: Denise Lester