James 'Super Chikan' Johnson plays the box guitar in the documentary film A Life in Blues

James
‘Super Chikan’
Johnson

A Life in Blues

Official selection Clarksdale Film and Music Festival 2024
Official selection International Motion Picture Awards 2024
Official selection Paradise Film Festival 2024
Official selection Magnolia Independent Film Festival 2025.
Official selection Belleville Downtown Docfest 2025
Official selection Athens Monthly Art Film Festival 2025
Official selection Oxford Film Festival 2025
Watch the trailer for “James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson—A Life in Blues”

“It’s a wonderful film that does something extremely rare in the world of blues documentaries, which is tell the story straight, without romanticizing its subject in any way… All in all, a superb film.”
Adam Gussow (Satan and Adam)

“An intriguing outsider (Canadian) look at the career of Delta blues giant James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson and the Clarksdale, Mississippi blues culture of which his work is an integral part.”
Robert Mugge (Documentary filmmaker)

James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson: A Life in Blues is a joy from start to finish.”
— Eric Steiner (Editor Emeritus, Washington Blues Society)

“This is a film for blues lovers, yes…but also for anyone who likes to ‘see’
into the real world of everyday folks in a unique and compelling environment.”
Big City Rhythm and Blues Magazine

Upcoming Events

Come see the film A Life in Blues . Go to a live Super Chikan show. Or catch a double header of A Life in Blues plus a live show

DateLocationVenueTickets
July 31-Aug 3, 2025Notodden Blues FestivalTBAFestival Pass
Feb 28, 2025Oxford Film FestivalMalco Oxford CommonsTickets
Feb 23, 2025Belleville Downtown DocfestEmpire TheatreFestival Pass
Feb 21, 2025Magnolia Independent Film FestivalUEC Hollywood Premiere CinemasTickets
October 26, 2024Chatham-Kent International Film FestivalKiwanis TheatreCKTickets
October 5, 2024LaneDoc FestChambers-McClure TheaterAward Gala Show
June 20, 2024Clarksdale, MS Ground ZeroAt the door
June 19, 2024Vicksburg, MS The StrandOpen to public
June 18, 2024Meridian, MS The MaxOpen to public
June 16, 2024Jackson, MS Two Mississippi Museums At the door
June 14, 2024Oxford, MS Burns-Belfry MuseumBy donation
June 13, 2024Indianola, MS Club Ebony (B.B. King Museum)Open to public
May 23, 2024Tacoma, WA Jazz BonesTickets
May 22, 2024Seattle (Shoreline), WA Aurora BorealisAt the door
May 21, 2024Kelowna, BC RevelryTickets
May 19, 2024Dewdney, BC The Historic Dewdney Pub,
aka Church of the Blues
Tickets
May 18, 2024Nanaimo, BC The QueensTickets
May 17, 2024Vancouver, BC Rio Theatre Tickets
Feb 24, 2024Regina, SKThe Exchange
Feb 23, 2024Saskatoon, SK The Bassment
Jan 26, 2024Clarksdale, MS Stone Pony Tack Room