Are White Blues Artists Legitimate Bluesmen?

By Mark Grove



Not many white and black blues artists are legitimate in the sense that they have composed and play blues that is considered original. I’ve been to many jam sessions and blues shows. Recently, I went to a blues club reunion and saw less than a handful of blues guitarist’s who played with a real blues feel and sensibility.




One black blues artist Lil’ Ed, is well known In Southern Canada and the US north east blues scene. Ed played blues with lots of emotion and a party feel, yet doesn’t really put his own stamp on the blues. Most white blues musicians tend to copy blues of the masters and just noodle around--more than playing blues their own way.




One Canadian white blues artist that can play blues licks and chords his own way is Tim Woodcock (TW and the All-Stars). Tim plays a great style of Texas blues and can play a dirty, yet melodic blues intonation with chops like the greats, and creates it his own way.


I’ve seen many respectable white blues guitarist’s at Jams, who if they kept at it, would blow away the competition. If you listened to a blues jammer talk about blues they truly love it. But they never take it further. Most black and white bluesmen play blues note for note, and this tends to end up being a very regimented type of blues--like you’re acting in a theater rehearsal.




It’s great to play blues from 50 years ago or more, but you have to play it your way. If a blues artist at a club date or jam come up with something that puts a twist on an old blues number—-that at least shows creativity and innovation. So listen to blues, study it and learn to play it. Then change up parts of it so you’re playing with internal instinct that’s truly your own.



The top blues artists today tend to be obscure ones you never hear about, and have a laid back style on guitar that never gets heard because a front-man wants to hold center-stage. These blues artists never get to show why they love to play blues and have learned from the masters of real blues.

Here are some real Blues guitarist’s

Scott Holt
Dee Curtis
Tim Woodcock
Jimmy Vaughan
Derek Trucks