"One of the most important lessons I have learned is to be kind and compassionate to others as well as always being humble."

Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport:

A New Blues Star Is Born

17-years-old blues artist Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport is brilliant and specializes in modern blues. Young Rell has charmed audiences all over the world with his sincere and passionate performances, captivating them with his soulful voice and expert guitar skills. His music captures the true spirit of the blues by fusing classic and contemporary components to produce a timeless and current sound. Davenport fell in love with the blues at a young age. Challenged by many struggles, he started learning guitar and harmonica at the age of 8 to express his anguish. Influenced by legends such as Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor and Billy Branch, Rell played his first concert at the age of 10, followed by writing his first song at 11.              (Photo: Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport)

Young Rell stands out in the realm of modern blues as a true artist who upholds the blues' historical foundations while expanding its artistic possibilities. Purists and beginners alike enjoy his ability to blend traditional blues ingredients with contemporary sensibilities to produce a distinctive and energizing sound. Young Rell's music is a tribute to the blues' ongoing strength, demonstrating the genre's capacity to emote with unbridled emotion and tell gripping tales. Young Rell's soul-stirring music leaves fans hankering for more as he establishes himself as a rising star in the contemporary blues genre with each performance.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues influenced your views of the world? What does the blues mean to you?

The blues has influenced my views on the world tremendously as it has made me see that everybody’s different, and everybody goes through things and that everyone handles things differently and that nobody’s perfect. but we all bleed the same.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

I’d like to say that my sound can be very tricky, and sometimes very unique. Sometimes even very imitative, depending on the instrument that I am playing. I write at least 1 – 4 songs a day and I have at least 150 songs written.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and recordings sessions which you’d like to share with us?

I’d say that my most recent memory from a gig would have to be me opening up a show in Chicago at the Reva and David Logan center for the arts It was very eye-opening, and I had never played in front of a crowd of almost 400 people before. They had Stephen Hull and Andrew Alli, Carlos Johnson, and Billy Branch on the bill.

"The blues has influenced my views on the world tremendously as it has made me see that everybody’s different, and everybody goes through things and that everyone handles things differently and that nobody’s perfect. but we all bleed the same." (Photo: Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport fell in love with the blues at a young age. Challenged by many struggles, he started learning guitar and harmonica at the age of 8 to express his anguish. Influenced by legends such as Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor and Billy Branch, Rell played his first concert at the age of 10)

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

I can’t say much about the blues from the past as I wasn’t there, but one thing I can say that I miss is the sound, and the warmth even the rawness.

What's the balance in blues music between technique and soul? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

I would say, sometimes sold out balances the technique, and in some cases it’s the other way around it just depends on how much work a person puts in and how much a person really feels the art.

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

It’s very important because if we don’t keep it alive in the next 40 years not many people will remember or know about it. As most young people don’t listen to it as much, and or as often.

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

One of the most important lessons I have learned is to be kind and compassionate to others as well as always being humble.

(Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport / Photo by Carla Robinson)