Erwin Helfer

Erwin Helfer (born January 20, 1936) is an American boogie-woogie, blues, and jazz pianist. He was born and raised in Chicago. From 1960 to 2023 he recorded on various labels, including Cobra, Chess, Testament, Flying Fish, and The Sirens. He collaborated with blues pianist Jimmy Walker during the 1960s and 1970s and made two recordings with him.

History He was mentored by William Russell, who was a jazz historian and founder of American Music Records. In Chicago, Russell introduced Erwin to Warren “Baby” Dodds, Mahalia Jackson, “Cripple” Clarence Lofton, and Estelle “Mama” Yancey. This recording was also nominated for the Blues Foundation’s Comeback Artist of the Year award. He played on two piano compilations “Heavy Timbre – Chicago Boogie Piano” and “8 Hands on 88 Keys – Chicago Blues Piano Masters”. “Careless Love” and “Celebrate the Journey” were featured on NPR’s Fresh Air in January 2006 and March 2021 respectively.

Erwin taught amateurs and professional musicians how to play blues piano from his home, at various institutions like Columbia College, and at summer camp at the Augusta Heritage Center.

He is the author of Blues Piano and How To Play It, a book for intermediate and advanced pianists.

Selective discography

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