The Captain’s Final Interview: David Booker’s Life in Blues (Manchester Roots Part 1)

MANCHESTER ROOTS – PART 1 David Booker: The Captain (14-min Proof of Concept Documentary) ©2025 Bmakin Film | Runtime: 13:45 Award-winning filmmaker Ben Makinen (JazzTown, Who Killed Jazz, Echoes of Tradition) presents the final filmed interview with legendary bandleader, guitarist, and mentor David Booker — captured from the couch of his Denver home during his brave battle with cancer. This intimate portrait reveals Booker as few have ever seen him: funny, sharp, reflective, and overflowing with stories from a lifetime in music. 🎸 A Life in Blues, Rock & Soul — Told by the Man Who Lived It Raised in Manchester, England, Booker recounts: • His early bands — The Drifting Hearts and Ivan’s Meads • Working at the Wilson Ad Agency in 1960s Britain • Playing alongside Rod Mayall (brother of John Mayall) • British blues exploding in real time He shares electrifying memories of meeting his hero Sonny Boy Williamson at the 1964 American Folk Blues Festival — and witnessing history as Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and Sleepy John Estes reshaped the future of rock. 🎙️ A Career Backing Legends David Booker performed with: Bo Diddley · Del Shannon · Dr. John · Solomon Burke · Rufus Thomas · Sir Mack Rice, and more. He opened for: Los Lobos · John Mayall · Albert Collins · Koko Taylor · A.C. Reed He became a pillar of the Colorado blues scene — hosting KUVO shows (All Blues, Jazz on the Edge, The R&B Jukebox), and leading the iconic Monday night jam at El Chapultepec. His legacy was recognized with the Colorado Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) and multiple Best of Westword honors. 🎞️ About the Film This short is drawn from 90+ minutes of interviews and performance footage. It serves as the seed of a feature-length documentary, designed for festival and PBS consideration — a tribute to Booker’s international journey and the generations he influenced. 🎬 Production & Partnership I am seeking completion funding and underwriting partners. To support the film or receive an Executive/Associate Producer credit, contact: 📩 benmakinen@mac.com ☕️ Support Independent Filmmaking If the film moves you, please consider leaving a tip — every dollar fuels the work: 👉 paypal.me/benmakinen 🌐 www.bmakinfilm.com Join my creative archive & behind-the-scenes world: 🌀 https://patreon.com/BenMakinen @bmakinfilm #BenMakinen #DavidBooker #ManchesterRoots #BluesHistory #JazzDocumentary #MusicLegends #UKBlues #DenverMusic #SoulInTheMachine #BIAIFF #BmakinFilm

Added 22 May 2026