Ken Saydak (born August 18, 1951,[3] Chicago, Illinois, United States)[4] is an American Chicago blues pianist and singer-songwriter. In a long career, he has played as a sideman with Lonnie Brooks, Mighty Joe Young, Johnny Winter and Dave Specter.[1] Saydak has released three albums under his own name since 1999. Billboard once described him as "a gripping frontman".[5]

Ken Saydak
Saydak in 1976
Saydak in 1976
Background information
Born (1951-08-18) August 18, 1951 (age 73)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
GenresBlues, Chicago blues,[1] blues-rock, piano blues
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter, session musician
Instrument(s)Piano, keyboards, vocals
Years active1972–present[2]
LabelsVarious
WebsiteOfficial website

Biography

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During the 1980s, Saydak played on tours and albums by Johnny Winter, including Winter's Grammy Award nominated LP, Guitar Slinger.[4] Following this spell, Saydak became one of the members of the blues rock band, Big Shoulders, who issued two albums (produced by Saydak) before disbanding.

His debut solo album was 1999's Foolish Man released on Delmark Records.[1] Saydak has also produced his own albums, as well as Zora Young's 2000 issue, Learned My Lesson.[2] He has now appeared on over fifty albums.

The Chicago Sun Times reported "Ken Saydak has built an impressive body of work with his three solo albums and his studio work...It's My Soul is his best stand-alone project yet".[5]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Foolish Man (1999) – Delmark
  • Love Without Trust (2001) – Delmark
  • It's My Soul (2005) – Evidence[6]

Other appearances

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  • 1976 – Mighty Joe YoungMighty Joe Young – Keyboards
  • 1983 – Hot ShotLonnie Brooks – Keyboards
  • 1984 – Guitar SlingerJohnny Winter – Keyboards
  • 1985 – Serious Business – Johnny Winter – Piano
  • 1986 – Third Degree – Johnny Winter – Piano
  • 1988 – The Winter of '88 – Johnny Winter – Keyboards
  • 1990 – Big ShouldersBig Shoulders – Organ, piano, accordion, vocals
  • 1991 – Nickel History – Big Shoulders – Organ, piano, accordion, vocals
  • 1991 – Bluebird BluesDave Specter with Bill Smith – Organ, piano
  • 1991 – Let Me In – Johnny Winter – Piano
  • 1993 – Fortune Tellin' ManJesse Fortune – Organ, piano
  • 1994 – Blueplicity – Dave Specter – Organ, piano
  • 1994 – Gotcha!Barkin' Bill Smith – Piano
  • 1994 – One to InfinityTad Robinson – Organ, piano
  • 1995 – Had My FunKaren Carroll – Organ, piano
  • 1995 – Sweetheart of the BluesBonnie Lee – Organ, piano
  • 1995 – Wild Cards – Al Miller – Organ, piano
  • 1996 – Left Turn on Blue – Dave Specter – Organ
  • 1996 – Long Way to Ol' MissWillie Kent – Piano
  • 1996 – Live at Blue ChicagoJohnny B. Moore – Keyboards
  • 1997 – 700 BluesLurrie Bell – Organ, Piano
  • 1997 – Troubled WorldJohnny B. Moore – Piano
  • 1998 – Blues Spoken Here – Dave Specter and Lenny Lynn – Piano
  • 1998 – Kiss of Sweet Blues – Lurrie Bell – Organ, piano
  • 1998 – Make Room for the Blues – Willie Kent – Electric piano
  • 1998 – Ready – James Wheeler – Piano
  • 1999 – Knockin' at Your DoorJohn Primer – Organ, piano
  • 2000 – Can't Take It – James Wheeler – Organ, piano
  • 2000 – Learned My LessonZora Young – Organ, piano, producer
  • 2000 – Royal BlueKoko Taylor – Piano
  • 2000 – Speculatin' – Dave Specter – Piano
  • 2002 – In the House: Live at Lucerne, Vol. 1Bob Stroger – Piano, vocals, producer
  • 2004 – Have a Little FaithMavis Staples – Choir, chorus
  • 2004 – ChinatownPaul Filipowicz – Piano[7]
  • 2008 – Tell Me Why – Alex Wilson – Hammond organ[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c John Bush. "Ken Saydak | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Artist - HDtracks - The World's Greatest-Sounding Music Downloads". Hdtracks.co.uk. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  3. ^ Barilari, Elbio (August 18, 2020). "Celebrating Blues Keyboard Master & Songwriter Ken Saydak". Delmark.com. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Slawecki, Chris M (August 18, 2005). "All About Jazz – It's My Soul". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Ken Saydak". Kensaydak.com. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  6. ^ "Ken Saydak | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  7. ^ "Paul Filipowicz - Chinatown". Dwmmusic.com. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  8. ^ "Ken Saydak | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
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