Top 10 Blues Artists Who Are Keeping The Blues Alive In 2017

Have you ever been in such a listening frenzy that you end up finishing your whole playlist, such is the magic of blues. Once you start listening to the blues you go in a euphoria and that feeling leaves you craving for more. 

As they say

“Music acts like a drug for the brain”

So let’s lose ourselves in the state of euphoria that the blues in itself is, with this list of top 10 world famous blues artists.

10) Alabama Shakes

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Alabama Shakes is a blues rock band from USA formed in Athens, Alabama in 2009. The band currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, and drummer Steve Johnson. The group rose to prominence in the early 2010s with their distinctive and soulful roots rock sound.

The band borrows heavily from mid-20th century rhythm and blues. Alongside Howard's voice, the songs were compared to artists such as Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin. Howard herself took inspiration from Bon Scott of AC/DC in her vocal style, praising his "soulful" way of singing.

9) Ghost Town Blues Band

Source = Road-dawg

Horns, harmonies and homegrown instruments combined with an energetic and roots rich festival set makes Ghost Town Blues Band one of the “must see live bands on the festival circuit today.” Both Preston McEwen behind the drums and Matt Karner on the bass guitar are a punishing rhythm section behind multi-instrumentalist/frontman Matt Isbell with raunchy cigar box guitar licks and raspy "Dr. John-like, whiskey and gravel-soaked vocals."

With the addition of Trombonist Suavo Jones, Tim Stanek on B3 and Taylor Orr on lead guitar, the grooves go from funky to "funk-nasty" as the band gains more notoriety in the blues festival and jam circuit.

8) Highly Suspect

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Highly Suspect is an American rock trio from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The band was founded by twin brothers Rich (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Ryan Meyer (drums, backing vocals) and their best friend Johnny Stevens (guitar, lead vocals).

After starting as a bar cover band, they relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where they recorded The Worst Humans EP with producer Joel Hamilton (Elvis Costello, Plastic Ono Band, The Black Keys, Wu-Tang Clan).

7) Janiva Magness

Source = Thebluesmobile

Janiva Magness is a Grammy Award nominated American blues, soul and Americana soul singer and songwriter. To date she has released twelve albums.

The Blues Foundation named Magness the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year in 2009, becoming only the second woman, after Koko Taylor, to be so honored. The award was presented by B.B. King himself and Bonnie Raitt.

6) Jimmy Bowskill

Source = Musicmirror

Jimmy Bowskill is an award-winning Canadian blues singer, guitarist and bassist based in Toronto, Ontario. Another blues obsessed child prodigy, Jimmy has opened for Jeff Beck and Joe Bonamassa at a show in Bonn, Germany.

In 2016, Bowskill recorded on two tracks for the released Blue Rodeo album 1000 Arms.

5) John Mayer

Source = Wennermedia

John Clayton Mayer is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and raised in nearby Fairfield.

Though Mayer started his career mainly performing acoustic rock, he began moving towards the blues genre that had originally influenced him as a musician. By 2005, he was collaborating with blues artists such as B. B. King, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton.

4) Joe Bonamassa

Source = Inthestudio

Joseph Leonard Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, Singer, and songwriter. When he was only 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King.

Joe Bonamassa has practically defined modern blues rock. His entire back catalog is worth a blast but people were smitten by his 11th record Black Rock.

3) Songhoy Blues

Source = Africaexpress

Songhoy Blues is a desert punk / blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali. The band was formed in Bamako after they were forced to leave their homes during the civil conflict and the imposition of Sharia Law.

The band were nominated for "Best New Act" at the 2015 Q Awards and as "Independent Breakthrough Act" at the 2015 AIM Awards.

2) The Black Keys

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The Black Keys are an American rock band formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums). The duo began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their records before they eventually emerged as one of the most popular garage rock artists during a second wave of the genre's revival in the 2010s.

Auerbach’s love for the music of the late blues legend Junior Kimbrough resulted in him dropping out of college to pursue a career in rock ‘n’ roll.

1) ZZ Ward

Source = Audixusa

ZZ Ward is an American musician, Singer, and songwriter. Her real name is  Zsuzsanna Eva Ward. She is signed to Boardwalk Entertainment Group and Hollywood Records, and managed by E. Kidd Bogart's Boardwalk Music Group.

Ward released her debut EP, Criminal, on May 8, 2012. Her debut album, Til the Casket Drops, was released on October 16, 2012. "Put The Gun Down", her first single, broke into the top 10 on the AAA radio chart on February 3, 2013, staying there for 10 weeks, and also broke into the top 40 on the Billboard Alternative chart.

These are some of the best blues artists who are trying to keep the upbeat and cheerful blues alive in this soulless Electronic music dominated World.