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Billy Branch

A Son of Blues

Billy Branch was born in Chicago in 1951 and was raised in Los Angeles. Billy Branch first picked up a harmonica at the age of ten and immediately began to play simple tunes. Billy Branch returned to Chicago in the summer of 1969 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. Billy Branch 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; Billy Branch 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. Billy Branch made his first recording for Barrelhouse Records and began to work as an apprentice harp player in Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars. Billy Branch eventually replaced Carey Bell and worked with Willie Dixon for six years. During this time, Billy Branch formed the Sons Of Blues (S.O.B.s) featuring musicians who where the sons of famous blues artists. The original S.O.B.s consisted of Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Freddie Dixon and Garland Whiteside. They toured Europe and played at the Berlin Jazz Festival. Shortly afterward, they recorded for Alligator Record's Grammy-nominated Living Chicago Blues sessions, and Billy Branch has been a regular studio player appearing on over fifty albums. Billy Branch has recorded and/or performed with an incredible list of Blues legends including: Muddy Waters, Big Walter Horton, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, and Albert King. In 1990, Billy Branch appeared with three harp legends: Carey Bell, Junior Wells, and James Cotton on W.C Handy Award winner, Harp Attack! Billy Branch's most recent recordings for the Polygram label are entitled The Blues Keep Following Me Around and Satisfy Me. Billy Branch is also passing on the blues tradition to a new generation through his Blues In The Schools program. Billy Branch is a dedicated blues educator and has taught in the Chicago school system for over twenty years as part of the Urban Gateways Project. In 1996, some of his finest students opened the Main Stage at the Chicago Blues Festival which was broadcast throughout the U.S. on National Public Radio.

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Home → Overview → Blues Artists → Billy Branch