Home » Jazz Musicians » Billy Branch

Billy Branch

Billy Branch was discovered by Willie Dixon, the "father of modern Chicago Blues," while Billy was still in college. Willie encouraged Billy to finish his college education, which he did, but instead of going to law school after receiving his political science degree, Billy began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. This gave Billy the unique opportunity to travel and work as an under study for the legendary Carey Bell who was planning to leave the All-Stars and form his own band. When Carey took his leave, the young Billy Branch took his place, touring with Willie Dixon for 6 years. Since those early days, Billy has played on over 150 different recordings, including 12 under his own name. He's recorded with Willie Dixon, Johnny Winter, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Lurrie Bell, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks, John Primer, and Taj Mahal, just to name a few. In addition, he has received three Grammy nominations (losing one nomination to BB King and Eric Clapton). He served two consecutive terms on the Grammy Board of Governors, and founded the Grammy Blues Committee. In addition, he has won multiple W.C. Handy Awards from the Blues Foundation, an Emmy Award, an Addy Award (this is like an Oscar for TV ads), two Chicago Music Awards, and numerous humanitarian achievement awards. Billy Branch has become the ambassador of the Chicago Blues. During his 6 week tour of Turkey, he represented the USA in Turkey’s Parliament, teaching political party leaders to play harmonica! Thousands of fans showed up every night of the week to experience the authentic Chicago Blues! He and his band, the Sons of Blues have delivered this cultural legacy around the world, having made over 70 international tours. The 2007 Chicago Blues Festival honored the thirtieth anniversary of Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues with a 3 hour performance. In fact, they also headlined the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival.

Billy is a Blues education pioneer. In addition to his recording and performing, he's taught literally thousands of children around the world. His internationally recognized “Blues in Schools Program,” is committed to teaching both young and old about the Blues as the roots of America's music. He has brought his interdisciplinary program to Europe, South America, Asia, and most recently to Mexico where he taught his two week program in Spanish. In addition he teaches in the Grammy Museum Music Revolution Project.

Tags

8
Album Review

George Freeman: Everybody Say Yeah!

Read "Everybody Say Yeah!" reviewed by Mark Corroto


It took a long time (much too long) for listeners to recognize the brilliance that was Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson. The New York-centric jazz cognoscenti have often overlooked talent that comes from Chicago, and artists were often drawn to The Big Apple to seek the recognition they deserved. Beginning in the '90s, though, the focal point of creative music shifted to Chicago and veteran musicians such as Von Freeman, Fred Anderson, and Harrison Bankhead, plus (then) younger talents, Ken Vandermark, ...

8
Album Review

Chanda Rule + Sweet Emma Band: Hold On

Read "Hold On" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


With a focus on Black American Music, as born and developed in fields, churches and social gatherings, Hold On relies heavily on the strength of roots. But these interpretations address branches as well, drawing from the toughness of solid earth while extending above and beyond. Vocalist Chanda Rule expresses and sees to that understanding between origins and original performance(s) on this arresting collection of material largely focusing on music birthed by unnamed and unknown African-Americans who often toiled in extreme ...

Read more articles
15

Performance / Tour

'A Toast To George Freeman' April 28, 2018 Special Guest Billy Branch, With Joanie Pallatto And Sparrow

'A Toast To George Freeman' April 28, 2018 Special Guest Billy Branch, With Joanie Pallatto And Sparrow

Source: Lampkin Publicity Service

Southport Records and Lampkin Music Group presents: “A Toast to George Freeman"- Special Guest Billy Branch, with Joanie Pallatto and Sparrow on April 28, 2018 This is a general admission seated event. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show. Media Sponsor: The WFMT Radio Network's Jazz Network. George Freeman is the current living warrior of sound, the Mad Max of the 6-string guitar. The music of George Freeman defies any known mold of musical ...

157

Recording

One Track Mind: James Cotton and Billy Branch, "Rocket 88" (2011)

One Track Mind: James Cotton and Billy Branch, "Rocket 88" (2011)

Source: Something Else!

Like an aging boxer making an heroic late-round stand, James “Superharp" Cotton brilliantly tangles on a timeless favorite from his 1960s tenure with Vanguard, giving fellow harp master Billy Branch all he can handle. Even now, Cotton's playing style closely resembles his bandleading heyday—a memorably robust player, you imagine smoke and spit blasting out of the other side of his harmonica as he blows—but the 74-year-old has found both a suitable inheritor, and a worthy opponent, in Branch. Perhaps that's ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Everybody Say Yeah!

Southport Records
2022

buy

Hold On

Pao Records
2020

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.