| Billy returned to Chicago in the summer
of '69 and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in political
science. It was during these years that he was introduced to the Blues.
He soon became immersed in the local blues scene. He spent a great deal
of time at legendary blues clubs such as: Queen Bee’s and Theresa's Lounge;
he learned from such stalwart harmonica players like: Big Walter Horton,
James Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell.
His big break came in 1975 during a harmonica
battle when he beat Chicago legend, Little Mac Simmons at the Green Bunny
Club. He made his first recording for Barrelhouse Records and began to
work as an apprentice harp player in Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars.
He eventually replaced Carey Bell and worked with Willie Dixon for six
years.
During this time, Billy formed the Sons
Of Blues (S.O.B.s) featuring musicians who where the sons of famous blues
artists. The original S.O.B.s consisted of Billy, Lurrie Bell, Freddie
Dixon and Garland Whiteside. They toured Europe and played at the Berlin
Jazz Festival. Shortly afterward, they recorded for Alligator Record's
Grammy-nominated Living Chicago Blues sessions, and Billy has been
a regular studio player appearing on over fifty albums.
Billy has recorded and/or performed with
an incredible list of Blues legends including: Muddy Waters, Big Walter
Horton, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, and Albert
King. In 1990, he appeared with three harp legends:Carey Bell, Junior Wells,
and James Cotton on W.C Handy Award winner, Harp Attack! His most
recent recordings for the Polygram label are entitled The Blues Keep
Following Me Around and Satisfy Me.
Billy is also passing on the blues tradition
to a new generation through his Blues In The Schools
program. He is a dedicated blues educator and has taught in the Chicago
school system for over twenty years as part of the Urban Gateways Project.
In 1996, some of his finest students opened the Main Stage at the Chicago
Blues Festival which was broadcast throughout the U.S. on National Public
Radio.
Blues producer, Chicago Beau has written,
"Billy Branch has become a beacon, and model for his times; as an artist,
and social/cutural activist... Billy Branch is a Bluesman; Billy Branch
is the Blues." |
