Over the past two decades, award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist and contemporary blues artist, Keb’ Mo’, has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music through the understated excellence of his live and studio performances. B.B. King, Buddy Guy, the Dixie Chicks, Joe Cocker, Robert Palmer and Tom Jones have all recorded his songs. His guitar playing has inspired leading instrument makers Gibson Brands to issue the Keb’ Mo’ Signature Bluesmaster acoustic guitar and Martin Guitars to issue the HD-28KM Keb’ Mo’ Limited Edition Signature model. He has collaborated with a host of artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, Cassandra Wilson, Buddy Guy, Amy Grant, Solomon Burke, Little Milton and many others. Keb’ also wrote and performed the theme song for the smash sitcom, “Mike & Molly,” and was music composer for TV’s “Memphis Beat.” He has also been featured in TV and film, playing Robert Johnson in the 1998 documentary “Can’t You Hear The Wind Howl,” appeared three times on the television series, “Touched By an Angel,” and was the ghostly bluesman Possum in John Sayles’ 2007 movie, “Honeydripper.” Keb’ is very involved with the Playing For Change movement, which was created to inspire, connect and bring peace to the world through music. He has been involved with Playing For Change since its inception and has been featured in many related videos and events. Keb’ was featured on the Playing For Change album: Playing for Change 3: Songs Around the World, which was released in 2014 and features over 180 musicians from 31 countries, including Keith Richards, Sara Bareilles, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas, Taj Mahal and many others. Keb’ Mo’ released his 12th studio album, titled BLUESAmericana on Kind of Blue Music in April of 2014. Following its release, the album spent several weeks at No. 1 on the Soundscan Blues Album chart. The album garnered Keb’ Mo’ a Blues Music Award from the Blues Foundation, three 2015 Grammy nominations and multiple other achievements.
Keb’ Mo’ works with students at Johnson School for Excellence in Chicago, IL, and is featured in the Turnaround Arts Playing for Change video for “Everyday People.”
Photo Credit: Andrea Lucero