Today’s Detroit blues scene is considerably different from the scene of Paradise Valley days, both in the complexion of the artists and the content of the music. Nevertheless, the scene is alive and flush with quite a few working bands.
With some notable exceptions, a fair number of today’s groups are guitar-driven units, and more than a few are blues-rock. Still, for those not quite as much into the guitar-heavy sound, or who prefer a fuller sound to complement those six strings, there are some great-sounding alternatives such as Joc’Lyn B and the Detroit Street Players, Bon Temps Roulle, Mudpuppy, Bugs Beddow, Priscilla Price, Bob Seely and a few others.
Hopefully I’ve managed to list most, of the working blues bands and performers in the Detroit area. No group was omitted intentionally. —Keith A. Owens
- Thornetta Davis
- Joc’lyn B and the Detroit Street Players
- Harmonica Shah
- Robert Noll
- Robert Penn
- The James Cloyd Group
- Ben Moore and the Blues Express
- Bobby Murray
- Kenny Miller
- Jimmy McCarty and Mystery Train
- Mudpuppy
- Randy Volin and Sonic Blues
- Nikki James
- Bugs Beddow
- The Blue Suit Band
- The Alligators
- Blue Rose
- Bon Temps Roulle
- Curtis Sumter Project
- Al Hill and the Love Butlers
- Val Ventro and the Motor City V-8
- Sweet Claudette (also performs with the Corruptors)
- Kerry Price
- Priscilla Price
- Bettye Lavette
- Odessa Harris
- Kenny Parker
- Chisel Brothers
- Bluecat Blues Band
- Detroit Underground
- Cathy Davis
- Bob Seely
- The Glen Eddy Band
- Tampa Ted
- Redford Steve
- Bob Willet and the Blues Devils
- The Hastings Street Blues Band
- Pat Savage
- Steve Somers Band with Valerie Barrymore
- City Limits
- Jeff Maylin
- Blue Spirit Tribe featuring Kris Peterson
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2000.
