“The blues is not just a genre of music, it is a form of communication that transcends language. It has always brought people together and continues to do so. Musicians who may have never crossed paths otherwise, as well as audiences coming together for a shared experience, can connect, meet, and sometimes even form lasting relationships as a result.”

Jörg Danielsen: Nothing But The Blues

Austrian guitarist and singer Jörg Danielsen is deeply rooted in the sound of 20th-century electric blues. With raw energy, heartfelt playing, and a personal touch, he brings authentic blues to today’s stages, honoring the greats of the genre while making it his own. His dynamic live shows—whether solo, as a duo, or with the Vienna Blues Association—offer a vibrant mix of original songs and carefully chosen classics from his musical heroes. Supported by a solid and soulful rhythm section featuring Martin Melzer (bass) and Christoph Karas (drums), Danielsen captivates audiences with groove, passion, and presence. In 2023, he represented Austria at the European Blues Challenge, impressing Europe’s blues elite on an international stage. His musical journey has taken him to festivals and clubs across Europe, and South America.

(Photo: Jörg Danielsen)

Besides being a passionate musician, Jörg Danielsen is also an active promoter of the blues scene. As the initiator and organizer of the Austrian Blues Challenge, the national pre-selection for the European Blues Challenge, he works to foster new talent and strengthen the European blues community. He also brings his experience as a festival organizer to keep blues culture vibrant and evolving.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Through music, the world has become smaller and more connected for me, yet also more diverse and multifaceted. Through touring and conversations with a wide variety of people from different cultures, I have become more open-minded myself. My musical life has changed significantly through my tours in Argentina.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What keeps a musician passionate over the years in Blues music?

My sound, and my band’s sound, is strongly shaped by my deep appreciation for the raw, unpolished tone of Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, and especially Magic Slim, particularly during his time playing with John Primer. That influence naturally comes through in the way we approach the music.

I try to carry the tradition of classic blues forward without simply imitating it. Instead, I reinterpret the songs in my own voice and use them as a medium to tell my own stories. (If I want something performed exactly as it was originally recorded, i prefer to listen to the original rather than a reinterpretation that simply tries to replicate it note for note)

During live performances, I also like to vary things and improvise quite a lot, which often means the band is challenged as well, since I don’t strictly follow a linear structure within the songs.

My repertoire combines material from my musical heroes with a substantial body of original compositions, all rooted in the style and spirit of the music i deeply admire.

The blues is so diverse and multi-layered that you can listen to and play it for a lifetime, always discovering something new. Originally, I thought I wanted to learn and understand the blues because it is the root and foundation of so many musical genres. But the more I immersed myself in this music, the clearer it became that it is also the genre that resonates with me the most and has had the deepest impact on me.

“Through music, the world has become smaller and more connected for me, yet also more diverse and multifaceted. Through touring and conversations with a wide variety of people from different cultures, I have become more open-minded myself. My musical life has changed significantly through my tours in Argentina.” (Photo: Jörg Danielsen)

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Austria?

Sometimes I ask myself that question too. I think the blues will continue to exist in Austria, even though it will probably alway remain somewhat of a niche genre. At the same time, it is deeply rooted in many areas of the local music scene, sometimes more visible, sometimes less. So in a way it’s always present, even if not always in the foreground.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Music evolves, and it should evolve. I’m a fan of direct, unfiltered music - without too many effects, postproduction corrections, or unnecessary embellishments.

With AI and today’s technological possibilities, recordings are often refined and polished until they become completely „over-smooth“ and I do find that somewhat unfortunate.

Through AI and other technical refinements, I sometimes feel that the human element is lost in the process. At the same time, with streaming and the easy access to an almost endless amount of music, there is an overabundance of material available at any time.

This can, at times, lead to a reduced appreciation for real, handcrafted music. My hope is that people increasingly relize that live music leaves a far deeper and more lasting impression than any streaming experience and that this is something neither AI nor technology can truly replace.

“The blues is so diverse and multi-layered that you can listen to and play it for a lifetime, always discovering something new. Originally, I thought I wanted to learn and understand the blues because it is the root and foundation of so many musical genres. But the more I immersed myself in this music, the clearer it became that it is also the genre that resonates with me the most and has had the deepest impact on me.” (Photo: Jörg Danielsen)

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

I’ve been fortunate to experience many beautiful moments throughout my time as a musician, for wich I’m very grateful.

One of my personal highlights was having the opportunity to jam with John Primer at a festival in Romania. After spending years listening to his recordings, studying his playing, and trying to understand his approach, it was a very special moment to unexpectedly share the same festival stage with him and even get the chance to play together. Moments like that stay with you for a lifetime.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Never get too set on anything, improvisation is half of life, and staying authentic is essential. I’ve also learned that I don’t function well in overly scripted or perfectly timed settings.

Whenever I tried to force that kind of structure, it didn’t really work for me, so I’ve come to accept that spontaneity is where I’m at my best.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I still host blues jam sessions where anyone, regardless of their level of experience or background, can take part. In addition, I organize a blues festival myself, which also includes the Austrian Blues Challenge, with the goal of giving the next generation a platform and, ideally, the opportunity to present themselves to an international audience. Furthermore, the festival also features workshops focused on the blues, helping to pass on knowledge, inspiration, and the tradition of the genre to younger musicians.

“I think the blues will continue to exist in Austria, even though it will probably alway remain somewhat of a niche genre. At the same time, it is deeply rooted in many areas of the local music scene, sometimes more visible, sometimes less. So in a way it’s always present, even if not always in the foreground.”

(Jörg Danielsen / Photo by Theodor Tudose)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music/musicians in today’s society?

The blues is not just a genre of music, it is a form of communication that transcends language. It has always brought people together and continues to do so. Musicians who may have never crossed paths otherwise, as well as audiences coming together for a shared experience, can connect, meet, and sometimes even form lasting relationships as a result.

Through their music, artists can reflect society, highlight important issues, or simply offer people a moment of escape from everyday life. Allowing them to disconnect and experience joy in the present moment. For me, that is what makes music, and especially the blues, indispensable in today’s society.

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