Widely considered the leading postwar Chicago Blues pianist, and best known for his extensive work in Muddy Waters’ group, Mississippi-born Otis Spann grew up under the tutelage of Big Maceo Merriweather and mastered the pounding barrelhouse piano style that Maceo brought with him to Chicago. During his tragically short life, Spann was a member of the Chess label house-band that backed no only Waters, but also Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon, Bo Diddley, and Lowell Fulson, among others. Otis Spann Is the Blues, recorded for the Candid label in 1960, was his debut LP as a leader, and presents his voice and piano in a duet with guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr, who also sings on a few tracks.