Erwin Helfer, born on January 20, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American
boogie-woogie, blues, and jazz pianist. Initially drawn to classical music,
Helfer's exposure to the blues scene of 1950s Chicago shaped his musical path.
His professional career began when Estelle Yancey invited him to replace Little
Brother Montgomery. In the 1960s and 1970s, Helfer played with Jimmy Walker,
releasing two albums together. He founded his own label, Red Beans, in 1982,
featuring works by notable Chicago blues artists. His notable albums include
Rough and Ready (1964) and Blues and Boogie...