The label was also famous for its session musicans who played on most of the company 's Chicago soul recordings , such as drummer Maurice White and bassist Louis Satterfield , both later shaped the funk group Earth , Wind , & Fire , guitarists Pete Cosey , Gerald Sims and Phil Upchurch , pianist Leonard Caston , later a producer with Motown and organist Sonny Thompson . Chess Records was also known for its regular band of session musicians who played on most of the company 's Chicago soul recordings , such as drummer Maurice White and bassist Louis Satterfield , both of whom would later shape the funk group Earth , Wind , & Fire ; guitarists Pete Cosey , Gerald Sims and Phil Upchurch ; pianist Leonard Caston , later a producer with Motown ; and organist Sonny Thompson .