The Aces

Chicago blues group

The Aces are an early electric Chicago blues group. They form in the 1950s and are led by guitarist brothers Louis Myers and Dave Myers, who are originally from Byhalia, Mississippi. The group begins under the name the Little Boys, then changes its name to the Three Deuces after the addition of harp player Junior Wells, then to the Three Aces, and then to the Four Aces when drummer Fred Below joins in 1950. The name is then shortened to The Aces.

The band develops an urbane, sophisticated style that draws heavily on jazz. Fred Below’s rhythmic approach helps establish the blues shuffle beat and gives drums a more prominent role in blues bands. In 1952, Junior Wells leaves to join Muddy Waters after the departure of Little Walter, and Walter quickly signs the remaining Aces as his backing group. They perform and record under the names Little Walter and the Nightcats and later the Jukes.

The group makes a number of important recordings, including “Mean Old World”, “Sad Hours”, “Off the Wall” and “Tell Me Mama”. After Louis Myers leaves in 1954, the line-up gradually dissolves as Little Walter’s band, but the members later reform as a backing group for other Chicago blues artists, including Otis Rush. In the late 1950s, Dave Myers switches from guitar to electric bass and becomes one of the first Chicago blues musicians to use the instrument, helping to popularise it in the style. The original Aces reunite several times during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s for recordings, touring and festival performances.