Lil Jimmy Reed

Down-home Louisiana blues had a massive impact on 20th century music and profoundly influenced world famous groups such as The Rolling Stones. Lil' Jimmy Reed, the last of his pioneer generation, epitomises the classic Louisiana tradition. A true blues legend, as anyone who has been privileged to hear his stinging guitar work, gritty vocals and haunting harmonica will tell you, Lil' Jimmy Reed was born in a shot-gun shack in Hardwood, LA, a small saw-mill town on the Mississippi River. His home overlooked a club where every night the blues came wailing across the street. Too young to go in, he peeked round the door at Lightnin' Slim, Slim Harpo and all the other blues celebrities passing through. As a teenager, his father gave him his first guitar, and he was soon backing another of his heroes, Silas Hogan, in the clubs around Baton Rouge. Filling-in one night for indisposed blues superstar Jimmy Reed earned him the sobriquet Lil' Jimmy Reed and started him on the long path to success.

After years of playing small clubs and taverns throughout the South, Lil' Jimmy took time out to serve a term in the military. Since returning to civilian life his career has blossomed. He has won many awards, enjoyed huge recording success, shared the stage with blues nobility B. B. King, Buddy Guy and Bobby 'Blue' Bland and head-lined festivals all over the world. His legion of fans flock to his live shows, recognizing that it is the last opportunity to hear the raw, unadulterated sound of authentic Louisiana blues.