Filmmakers Celebrate Blues Icons in Special Screening of Sidemen: Long Road to Glory at The Harvey School

A celebration of the musicians who backed the two icons of the blues, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, will occur this Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at a special screening of the new film, “Sidemen: Long Road to Glory” as part of the community outreach program, Harvey Presents in The Walker Center for the Arts on the campus of The Harvey School.

“Sidemen” producer Tony Grazia and the film’s director, Scott D. Rosenbaum, will be on hand to introduce their film and lead a talkback about the making of the movie following the screening in The Walker Center’s Lasdon Theater. Joining the filmmakers for the Q/A will be Grammy Award-winner Paul Nelson, guitarist for Johnny Winter’s blues rock band.

“Sidemen” tells the story of the incredible musicians who played alongside the two legendary bluesmen. The film illuminates the lives and legacies of piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie `Big Eyes' Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, the sidemen for Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. The film features rare interviews with rock stars Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Robby Krieger of The Doors, and Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers Band, just a few of the rock greats who were influenced by the music of the two men considered as the founding fathers of post-WWII blues. The interviews with the great rock artists help establish the film’s rightful place in music history. The filmmakers provided this link to the trailer of their film: https://www.redhawkfilms.com/

Director of Programming Vinny Alexander is excited to have Harvey host the “Sidemen” screening. “We’re calling this year’s programming, Harvey Presents “Harvey’s Own” as our events feature artists who are connected to our own school community,” Alexander said. “The film’s producer, Tony Grazia, is the husband of our communications director, so we’re especially delighted to have him share his experiences of making this extraordinary documentary,” explained Alexander. “There are no bigger names in the world of the blues than Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters,” Alexander said. “And thanks to this film, we learn their fabulous sidemen were an integral part of what drew so many to be devotees of the music of the two great blues artists,” Alexander said.

Tickets for the screening of “Sidemen: Long Road to Glory “and the discussion with the film’s producer and director are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the event, visit: https://www.harveyschool.org/arts/harvey-presents