“Randy Chortkoff, a veteran producer of blues and roots is the creative force behind the music arm of Delta Groove Productions recordings and a talented musician in his own right. Beginning in the 1980s, Chortkoff first honed his studio skills working with his own band, The Dirt Cheap Blues Band (which also featured future blues heavy-hitters Debbie Davies and Alex Shultz) before taking the plunge into independent record production by recording blues legend Billy Boy Arnold. These master tapes were leased by the world’s largest independent blues label, the prestigious Alligator Records, and were released as Arnold ’s highly acclaimed ‘comeback’ release ‘Back Where I Belong’ in the early 1990s. Over the next several years Chortkoff produced his own sessions featuring a number of prominent blues artists, including the late King Ernest, powerhouse vocalist Finis Tasby and others leasing them to major blues labels in the U.S. and in Europe . Finally deciding to reap the fruits of his own labors, Chortkoff has created the Delta Groove Productions record label to release his recent projects, including The Mannish Boys, Kirk Fletcher, Mitch Kashmar and Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers. Delta Groove Productions is a labor of love and culmination of a lifelong obsession with blues and roots music on the part of celebrated producer and successful entrepreneur Randy Chortkoff. Each project is undertaken with the idea that quality speaks for itself, so the utmost care is given to every detail, from A&R to production to packaging and promotion - but first and foremost, the performances. Delta Groove is all about the music. Without great performers and great performances, nothing else matters.” www.deltagroovepproductions.com

Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine caught up with “Big Chief” Randy Chortkoff in Los Angeles where he was born and raised and still resides today. Randy remembers hearing blues only a couple of blocks away from his childhood home at the famous Ashgrove—one of the first hip folk coffeehouses. There he saw many blues men like Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Mance Lipscomb, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Little Walter. He remembers seeing Taj Mahal working at the coffee shop before he became famous. Chortkoff ran away from home briefly in the 60’s to catch the San Francisco scene in its heyday where he was awed by Chet Helms’ show who produced a blues who’s who of talent including blues greats like Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Freddie King, B.B. King, Jr. Wells, Buddy Guy and many others. But it was Rod Piazza who really turned Randy on to Little Walter Jacobs over 25 years ago. “Rod was instrumental and he would make me tapes of Little Walter, Sonny Boy, early Jr. Wells and Big Walter Horton. When I heard Little Walter he changed my whole opinion on the harp,” commented Chortkoff.

“I used to do parties on my birthday and I would find a club and book harp oriented bands like Rod Piazza, Mitch Kashmar and others but then I met Luther Tucker and we became close friends. He used to stay at my house. He gave me a lot of phone numbers and I would put together big shows every year and called it ‘A Tribute to Little Walter,’” explained Randy about his early years of producing this annual blues extravaganza for ten years. With Luther Tucker’s help he brought together Jimmy Rogers, Dave Myers, Louis Myers, Al Duncan and Rod & Honey Piazza to perform, and often hometown blues stars like Willie Dixon and Lowell Fulson would drop by. Randy is also very proud that he was able to scrap together his last dollars to make plaques and honored blues men who performed at his shows like Jr. Wells, James Cotton, Carey Bell and the Myers’ brothers, including more obscure musicians like Lester Davenport and Big Wheeler. He gave them an award thanking them for their contribution to the blues that they very much cherished because many had never received such accolades.

Today, Randy’s life has come around full circle with his Delta Groove Productions’ release of his early mentor—Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers’ For The Chosen Few. “Rod Piazza introduced me to the full essence—really deep stuff after all these years. Chortkoff’s says, “My big passion is to capture the open minds of younger people to this genre of music”.

What kind of harp do you use?
Traditional wood-combed Marine Band.
Your hero of the harp?
Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Big Walter Horton who have passed and more recently Lester Butler.
Do you play any other instruments?
I sing. (Look for Randy’s debut on the upcoming Mannish Boy’s Live & In Demand).
Who gave you your first harmonica?
I bought a brand new Marine Band harmonica at a pawnshop for $2.25.
Who gave you your first lesson?
I never took lessons. You know I’m not anywhere in the league of Rod Piazza or Kim Wilson. I never have much patience to learn note for note. I learn my listening.
Favorite harp song?
There’s too many.
Do you have a name for your harmonica?
No.
If your harmonica could talk what would it say?
More tongue and less lips. Tongue blocking is a very difficult technique but gives the best tones.
Did you know George “Harmonica” Smith?
Actually I knew him being that he was in L.A. He was an hilarious guy—open and kind to young white guys and always there to be a teacher. I remember when he would put a show on and call himself Jimmy Reed or Little Walter. He was just such a nice guy and mentor.