Long-time renowned Chicago blues tenor saxophonist Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang will be performing for the Maintenance Shop’s 40th anniversary show 9 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Still robust at nearly 80 years old, Eddie Shaw is known as one of the reigning kings of the Chicago blues scene.

“I’ve been playing all the time for 50 years,” Eddie Shaw said. “It’s just another job, trying to stay in the game. I’ve been around for a long time, playing in Chicago … Music is my life.”

Shaw grew up in Greenville, Miss., playing blues in his teens with fellow future Chicago blues artists such as James “Little Milton” Campbell Jr. At 14-years-old, he played in Ike Turner’s band, and later in Guitar Slim’s.

Shaw is perhaps best known for writing and performing alongside the influential blues singer Howlin’ Wolf. Since Howlin’ Wolf’s death in 1976, Shaw has overseen the Wolfgang’s musical legacy.

“I play with my own band,” Shaw said. “I’ve played with Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, B.B. King; I’ve played with all of them during my life.”

The blues icon has recorded a lengthy discography since his debut album “Have Blues, Will Travel” in 1977. His most recent album, “Still Riding High,” was released in 2012 and was nominated for “Best Traditional Blues Album” at the 2013 Blues Blast Awards.

Upon being hailed as a legend, Shaw responds under appreciative humility.

“People are going to call you whatever,” Shaw said. “I appreciate it very much if they call me a legend. I’ve been out here for a long time, so I guess that’s what makes a legend.”

In 2013 alone, Shaw won the Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist in the horn category and the Blues Blast Lifetime Achievement Award as well.

“I’ve won all the awards I can get, but I don’t always get put in the pool,” Shaw said. “I’ve won best blues saxophonist in the nation four times. I got lifetime achievement awards in Chicago and in Pennsylvania, and I’ve been given the key to the city of Jacksonville, Flo..”

Shaw plays numerous shows throughout the year in Chicago and around the country, and he shows no signs of losing steam as he approaches his 80th birthday.

“I do about a hundred shows a year,” Shaw said. “I’ve been playing with my band for 30 years, so it’s all right.”

“[I’ll be playing music] for as long as I can last. I don’t have much expectation to retire. I’ve thought about retiring, but [music] is my life, and I’m going to try to live it as long as I can.”

Shaw’s appearance in the M-Shop will mark the concert venue’s 40th anniversary. The intimate atmosphere in the Memorial Union’s nightclub should complement Shaw’s interactional style perfectly.

“I try to keep an eye on the blues show going on with different people,” Shaw said. “I try to satisfy everybody I can, and I put in in my performance.”

You can experience Eddie Shaw live 9 p.m. Jan. 31, in the M-Shop. Tickets cost $7 for students and $12 for the public, with a $2 up-charge the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased in person at the M-Shop box office or online at midwestix.com.