Category Archives: Uncategorized

Celebrating Michael Bernard Bloomfield (July 28, 1943 – February 15, 1981), an American guitarist born in Chicago, Illinois, who was instrumental in popularizing blues music in the mid-1960s. He was a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Celebrating Bola Sete (born Djalma de Andrade) (July 16, 1923 – February 14, 1987), a Brazilian guitarist who studied guitar at the Conservatory of Rio. He played with Dizzy Gillespie and was a member of the Vince Guaraldi trio. His name means “Seven Ball,” a reference to Brazilian billiards.

Celebrating David Kenneth Ritz “Dave” Van Ronk (June 30, 1936 – February 10, 2002), an American guitarist and folk singer born in Brooklyn, NY. He was an important figure in the American folk music revival and New York City’s Greenwich Village scene in the 1960s.

Celebrating Willie James “Blood” Ulmer (February 8, 1940), an American jazz, free funk and blues guitarist born in St. Matthews, South Carolina. His guitar sound has been described as “jagged” and “stinging”. He played with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, and toured extensively with Ornette Coleman.

Celebrating Alonzo “Lonnie” Johnson (February 8, 1899 – June 16, 1970), an American blues and jazz guitarist and violinist from New Orleans. He was a pioneer of the single-string solo guitar style.

Celebrating Samantha Fish (born January 30, 1989), an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist from Kansas City, MO.

Celebrating Derek Bailey (January 29, 1930 – December 25, 2005), an English avant-garde guitarist and leading figure in the free improvisation movement.

Celebrating “King” Bennie Nawahi (July 3, 1899 – January 29, 1985), an American steel guitarist from Hawaii who was popular in the U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s.

Celebrating Toshi Reagon (born January 27, 1964), an American musician from Atlanta, GA of folk, blues, gospel, rock, and funk styles.

Celebrating Buddy Gene Emmons (January 27, 1937 – July 21, 2015), an American musician who is widely regarded as the world’s foremost pedal steel guitarist of his day. He made significant innovations to the steel guitar which have been adopted as standard in the modern-day instrument.