“James Montgomery proves he has emotional strength worthy of a major-league soul bluesman.” – Downbeat
The Chicago Playboys first saw the light of day as the back-up band for Chicago blues and soul singer Little Johnny Christian, and the name has been carried forward by trombonist, vocalist and bandleader Big James Montgomery. Along with keyboardist Joe “Goldie” Blocker, guitarist Mike “Money’ Wheeler, trumpeter Charles “Richard” Pryor, bassist Larry “L-Dub’ Williams and drummer Cleo Cole, James has created a Chicago-rooted, funky, horn-heavy sound, steeped in the city’s signature blues tradition. The Playboys have developed into a disciplined unit that is drawing comparisons to James Brown’s former rhythm-intensive backing band, and are tearing up packed houses at home and across both seas. They continue to put Big James and the Chicago Playboys’ name up on some of the biggest marquees and festival stages in the world.
