"It's interesting to see how the listener reacts to the music and how much they love the music in other parts of the world. It seems to be a universal music that moves people everywhere."

John Clifton: Coast to Coast Blues

As a co-founder (w/ brother Bill Clifton) of Fresno's The MoFo Party Band, John Clifton has solidified himself as one of…

"It shouldn't mean anything because the first blues were sung by women Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey etc. The vision from the point of view that it isn't to be a female artist in a man's artistic world, the vision and should be about a cultural and educational change in our society towards women. The status of a woman in music is the same as that of a man. The status of women in the world currently seems to be accepting their role."…

"My hope is that younger generations will fall in love with this music much like I did ... My fear is that they’re not being exposed to Americana is big amongst younger audiences in my opinion Blues should be a bigger part of that. When you talk about American Music Blues is woven into, and provides the bedrock for everything Rock country R&B jazz etc. so if you’re talking Americana. What’s more American than Blues."…

"I miss seeing all the originators that I would see sometimes seven nights a week back in the 1970's and 1980's. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us, but I was so fortunate to see and talk with many of them and even play with some of them."

Paul Barry: Blowin' Like Hell in Twin Cities

Twin Cities based harmonica man Paul Barry…

"The music gotta be born from some simple emotions. This aint paint-by-numbers. Once you can express the most basic lustful, groovy, angry or mournful feelings with a few notes and the right rhythm then you need the technique to shape it into a tune with parts and layers. The technique that comes from learning why something doesn't work, and discipline to throw it out and try different."

Son of Dave:…

"I think blues just one of those things where if I didn’t have it, I would feel there was something missing. Somehow like a hole in the spirit somewhere, and I'd be a lot sadder. Blues is such a part of me, and has been for such a long time and it’s given me so many experiences, so many friends, I'd be a shell of myself."…

"Blues has always reflected and reacted to that in a way that touches the root of a person's soul. That's how I want and hope our music will affect and inspire."

Don Wegrzynowski: The Righteous Villains

On their debut album, Unusual Suspects (2023), the Righteous Villains flirt with a myriad of classic blues styles while forging new…

"The most important lessons I have learned in my life are humility and perseverance. I have loved the Blues all my life, I enjoy playing it and I enjoy listening to it. I love to see live blues and I go to as many events and festivals as I can every chance I get, for me the greatest source of learning is watching other players perform, from that you often learn what to do, and what not to do."

Mingo…

"Blues for me means feeling and expressing your soul, to tell what you feel-really to tell but using the notes. If you are able to do like that, you are able to see the world with your eyes, which are inside of you, deep in your heart."

Beata Kossowska: Colours of Harmonica

German-based singer, composer, and harmonica player Beata Kossowska, born…

"I guess a life well lived is one that helps others and has some amount of service to others and/or to God or to whatever it is that makes you want to be a better cat."

Jason Ricci: The Music Veil of NOLA

New Orleans-based harmonica master Jason Ricci and his band, The Bad Kind will be released…

"At this point in history, just getting even your friends to listen to your music, even if you put it right in front of them on their computer screen for free, is a major challenge. I make music for me and my collaborators. I’m making a concentrated effort recently to assemble my music and get it to anyone interested, free. I was always my worst critic, so I try to impress myself, first."

Randy…

"I hope that any art form speaks for itself. With music, because it’s such a universal language that touches and moves people all over the world, for all the ages of time, I hope that people can experience the music purely. I know that music can open people’s eyes and open people’s hearts to all kinds of racial and socio-cultural implications and realizations, so I would hope for the best in humanity in this way."…

"I felt that The Blues from its infant years and birth was always about honestly expressing oneself. It would be great if we can get to that point. of honestly expressing ourselves. In our micro and macro relationships."

David Rotundo: Blues With Feeling!

Toronto blues harpist David Rotundo heard James Cotton perform at the El Mocambo in 1991. “He…

"My fear is that now music is everywhere with platforms and magic is lost!"

Guy Bélanger: Voyages & Other Stories

Quebec’s popular harmonica player/songwriter Guy Bélanger presents VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES (2023), his seventh solo album. The album contains elements of blues as well as subtle touches of funk…

"Music has always affected the way people live their life, example - in the mining camp days, you would go to the saloon after work, and the piano player would be relating all the news from the last mining camp, it used to be the heart of information as they were the only ones traveling from town to town to spread that information. As far as my music goes, I’d like to bring people together and make them feel and think about things they love and things…

"Music is a different, but very powerful medium for reaching people - for giving ourselves hope, purpose, a sense brother/sisterhood, and just having a hell of a good time! Which we sorely need, all of us, in a challenging world."

Big Harp George: The Artisanal Blues

Big Harp George/George Bisharat is a San Francisco Bay Area blues singer,…

"I hope the blues affects people similarly to the way it affects me - I hope it provides some relief from their day to day struggles, and fosters a sense of community - I hope it helps people see that we’re all in this together."

Rick Estrin: A Genius Blues Nightcat

Rick Estrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949, and grew up fiercely…

"If you are true to yourself and really know yourself as an artist and know what you’re laying down is the real deal, then you rise above all the noise and the crap that’s involved."

Buddy Reed: The Real Blues Deal

Ivan Elmo "Buddy" Reed got his start playing the blues in San Bernardino,…

"The spirit is our soul, music is spiritual and the meaning of life, mission."

Johnny Mars: The Spiritual Music of Blues

Johnny Mars is an electric blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter. Over a long career, he has worked with Magic Sam, Earl Hooker, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Fuller, Spencer Davis, Ian Gillan, Do-Re-Mi, Bananarama and…

"Well, I hope music can help people form relationships with those others that are as different from them as I am from someone like Taildragger; in my relationship with him, the subject of race is literally a  joke. We know each other well enough to know that we are truly more alike than different, because of the music."

Martin Lang: Old Good Days of Blues Harp…