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BILLY BRANCH
About
Willie Dixon took notice of Billy Branch while Billy was still in college. Willie encouraged Billy to finish his college education, which he did, but instead of going to law school after receiving his political science degree, Billy began touring with Willie Dixon’s Chicago All-Stars. This gave Billy the unique opportunity to travel and work as an under study for the legendary Carey Bell who was planning to leave the All-Stars and form his own band. When Carey took his leave, the young Billy Branch took his place, touring with Willie Dixon for six years.
Billy has played on over 100 different recordings, including 12 under his own name. He's recorded with Willie Dixon, Johnny Winter, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Taj Mahal. He has received two Grammy nominations (his most recent loss was to BB King and Eric Clapton) and currently serves on the Grammy Board of Governors. In addition, he has won multiple W.C. Handy Awards from the Blues Foundation, an Emmy Award, an Addy Award, two Chicago Music Awards, and numerous humanitarian and achievement awards. Billy Branch has become the ambassador of the Chicago Blues. He and his band, the Sons of Blues have represented the Blues around the world, making over 70 international tours. In fact, the 2007 Chicago Blues Festival honored the thirtieth anniversary of Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues with a 3 hour performance.
Billy is a pioneer of his internationally recognized “Blues in Schools Program,” committed to teaching both young and old about the Blues as the roots of America's music. He has brought his interdisciplinary program to Europe, South America, Asia, and most recently to Mexico where he taught his two week program in Spanish.
Responses to Billy’s Music are passionate:
"Branch has the chops to indulge in showy barrages of clustered notes, but prefers to let tradition and taste dictate his sets."
The Chicago Reader
“He leans into the mic like Joshua before the walls of Jericho. A sound comes out of his cupped hands, a sound like a train, a wolf, a grieving heart, a cyclone of wailing notes that escape from between the gold rings on his fingers like steam through a boiler plate. It blows through the bar and through the listeners, until all other distractions crumble, and the only thing left standing is the Blues.”
www.Berghoff.com
“Billy Branch has become a beacon, and model for his times; as an artist, and social/cultural activist... Billy Branch is a Bluesman; Billy Branch is the Blues.”
Blues producer, Chicago Beau
CURRENT BAND MEMBERS
Mose Rutues Jr, has been the drummer for the Sons of Blues for almost 25 years. He previously played with such legendary greats as Major Lance, Mckinely Mitchell and Joe Tex.
Nick Charles, bass player extraordinaire, was given his first bass guitar and amp, then brought to Chicago by Howlin Wolf. He’s played with with Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Tina Turner, and the Rolling Stones.
Keyboard player, Sumito Ariyoshi, aka Ariyo is internationally recognized for his highly energetic innovative piano style. He’s shared the stage with Otis Rush, Pinetop Perkins, Detroit Jr. Valerie Wellington, Sunnyland Slim.
The newest and youngest SOB is guitarist Dan Carelli. He playes a mean slide guitar and contributes with his soulful vocals. He previously played with A.C. Reed, Byther Smith, Aron Burton, Sammy Fender, and Nigel Mack. He also led a band called the Troubled Minds with Omar Coleman and Nate Manos.
