> Early Blues> Artist Profiles

Bessie Smith Profile
About.com Blues profile of legendary blues singer Bessie Smith

Big Bill Broonzy Profile
Profile of early Chicago blues artist Big Bill Broonzy

Blind Lemon Jefferson Profile
Profile of Texas blues great Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Willie Johnson Profile
Profile of slide guitarist Blind Willie Johnson, influential gospel and blues artist of the 1920s.

Charley Patton Profile
Profile of Mississippi Delta blues great Charley Patton

John Lee Sonny Boy Williamson Profile
Profile of blues harp legend John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, known to the blues world as Sonny Boy Williamson I.

Leadbelly Profile
Profile of folk-blues artist Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter

Lonnie Johnson Profile
Profile of influential blues and jazz guitarist Lonnie Johnson, whose impact can be heard in the blues music of B.B. King and T-Bone Walker as well as the jazz styles of Charlie Christian.

Memphis Minnie Profile
Profile of legendary blues guitarist Memphis Minnie, a six-string innovator and a notable artist of the 1930s Chicago blues scene.

Robert Johnson Profile
Profile of Mississippi Delta blues legend Robert Johnson

Son House Profile
Profile of Delta blues singer and guitarist Son House

Tampa Red Profile
Profiles of legendary blues guitarist Tampa Red, known on the Chicago blues scene of the 1920s and '30s as "The Guitar Wizard" for his incredible slide-guitar style.

Tommy Johnson Profile
Profile of Mississippi Delta blues musician Tommy Johnson