Jess

Blues fan since the early 70s with decades of writing, photography, and broadcasting across blues publications and internet radio. Now sharing the music's rich history and the artists who shaped it at BluesChronicles.com.

Artist rendition of Sonny Landreth

Sonny Landreth: Why He’s the Guitar World’s Best-Kept Secret

Sonny Landreth: Louisiana’s Slide Guitar Revolutionary Eric Clapton doesn’t hand out compliments lightly. So when he called Sonny Landreth “probably the most underestimated musician on the planet, and also probably one of the most advanced,” the guitar world took notice. Yet most people outside the blues still haven’t heard the name. The disconnect tells you

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Omar Coleman & Igor Prado Old New Funky Blue album cover art

Omar Coleman & Igor Prado – Old, New, Funky & Blue Review

Omar Coleman & Igor Prado – Old, New, Funky & Blue Review Nola Blue Records | Released February 6, 2026 Chicago’s West Side meets São Paulo’s blues underground on one of the year’s most unexpected and satisfying collaborations. Omar Coleman, the Living Blues Most Outstanding Musician (harmonica) award winner, teams with Brazilian guitar virtuoso Igor

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Artist-rendering-of-Albert-Collins-performing

Albert Collins: The Iceman and His Fender Telecaster Blues Legacy

Albert Collins: The Iceman and His Fender Telecaster Legacy Albert Collins (1932-1993) earned his nickname “The Iceman” through ice-cold guitar tones and song titles, but his playing burned hot with intensity. Unlike the warm, sustained tones favored by most blues guitarists, Collins carved out a distinctive sound using a Fender Telecaster tuned to an unconventional

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Artist rendition of Lightnin Hopkins

Lightnin’ Hopkins: The Prolific Houston Blues Legend

Lightnin’ Hopkins: The Prolific Houston Blues Legend Sam John Lightnin’ Hopkins (1912-1982) was one of the most prolific blues musicians in history, recording over 1,000 songs across four decades. Born in Centerville, Texas, Hopkins became the defining voice of Houston blues—a raw, improvisational style rooted in country blues but electric in execution. His influence stretched

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Artist rendering of Blind Willie McTell performing on the street

Blind Willie McTell: The Powerful Story Behind His Blues

Blind Willie McTell: The Powerful Story Behind His Blues The twelve-string guitar rang out on Atlanta’s Decatur Street throughout the 1930s and 1940s. One musician, Blind Willie McTell, remained a constant presence there. Moreover, he played with a fingerpicking technique that made fellow guitarists stop and listen. His fluid, syncopated style created the illusion of

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Artist's interpretation of Etta Baker playing guitar

Etta Baker: The Ultimate Piedmont Blues Guitar Genius

Etta Baker: The Ultimate Piedmont Blues Guitar Genius Introduction Etta Baker stands as one of Piedmont Blues’ most influential guitarists. She played for nearly ninety years. However, the world didn’t discover her genius until she was 43. Her two-finger picking style influenced Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Moreover, she helped define what

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Cover art for Selwyn Birchwood Electric Swamp Funkin Blues

Review: Selwyn Birchwood Dials In the Grit on Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues

Review: Selwyn Birchwood Dials In the Grit on Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues Alligator Records | Released March 27, 2026 Selwyn Birchwood takes full control on his sixth Alligator Records release. Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues marks the first time the Florida guitarist has self-produced an album. Moreover, you can hear the difference in every note. This

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Jump Blues image depiction

The History of Jump Blues: High Energy Groove and Expressive Feel

Jump Blues: The High-Energy Sound That Bridged Swing, R&B, and Rock and Roll Jump blues stands as one of the most important and least understood chapters in American music history. Born in the early 1940s from the collision of big band swing, boogie-woogie piano, and traditional blues, this high-energy genre dominated Black popular music for

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Selwyn Birchwood's "Exorcist" Review

Selwyn Birchwood’s “Exorcist” – Review – A New Wave in Blues

Selwyn Birchwood’s “Exorcist” – Review – A New Wave in Blues Selwyn Birchwood, a name that resonates with the soulful tunes of contemporary blues, has graced the music scene with his latest album, “Exorcist”. Released on June 09, 2023 Released under the Alligator Records label in 2023, this album is a testament to Birchwood’s musical

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Chicago Blues

Chicago Blues: The Ultimate Guide to Its History & Legendary Artists

Chicago Blues: The Ultimate Guide to Its History & Legendary Artists Introduction Chicago Blues emerged in the 1940s when musicians from the Mississippi Delta moved north. These artists electrified their Delta sound, creating the genre as we know it today. The music was revolutionary because these pioneers used amplification to cut through noisy club environments.

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Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters: The Unstoppable Force of Blues Music

Introduction Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) Muddy Waters, born McKinley Morganfield on April 4, 1913, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, is a name that resonates deeply in the realm of Blues Music. His contributions to the genre, particularly the Chicago Blues, have been instrumental in shaping its course. As a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Muddy Waters showed

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I Am The Moon: Episode II. Ascension Review - A Soulful R&B Journey

I Am The Moon: Episode II. Ascension – A Soulful R&B Journey

Immerse yourself in the soul-stirring R&B journey of ‘I Am The Moon: Episode II. Ascension’ by the renowned Tedeschi Trucks Band. This album blends blues, jazz, funk, and gospel into a captivating exploration of love and life. Experience the emotional depth, authentic storytelling, and polished production that resonates with listeners on a profound level.

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