|
Taj Mahal (Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, born May 17, 1942, New York City) is a United States blues musician.
After college, he moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch’l Blues that same year. Two very different records: Giant Step, with his electric band; and De Olde Folks At Home, just Taj channeling his blues muses, were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captures Taj live at this time, and features a first rate horn section as well.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category “Best Contemporary Blues Album”, the first in 1997 for Seņor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin’ In Key. He has performed on various movie soundtracks including “Sounder” and “Blues Brothers 2000” in which he also appeared. |
