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Artist
Billy Branch
12+ albums
bluesharmonicaharmonica bluesblues rockelectric blues
about
Billy Branch (born William Earl Branch in Great Lakes, IL, on 3 October 1951) is an American blues harmonica player and singer of Chicago blues. Branch is a three-time Grammy nominee, a retired two-term governor of the Chicago Grammy Chapter, an Emmy Award winner, and a winner of the Addy Award. In the 1970s, he formed Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues. "Sounds like what it used to be before amps but with juice!! " Branch has followed a very non-traditional path to the blues. Unlike many blues artists, he isn't from the south of the USA. Born in Great Lakes, IL, he was raised in Los Angeles. He first picked up a harmonica at the age of ten and learned to play simple tunes. Branch returned to Chicago in the summer of '69 and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in political science. It was during these years that he was introduced to the Blues. He soon became immersed in the local blues scene. He spent a great deal of time at legendary blues clubs such as: Queen Bee’s and Theresa's Lounge; he learned from such stalwart harmonica players like: Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell. His big break came in 1975 during a harmonica battle when he beat Chicago legend, Little Mac Simmons at the Green Bunny Club. He made his first recording for Barrelhouse Records and began to work as an apprentice harp player in Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars. He eventually replaced Carey Bell and worked with Willie Dixon for six years. During
