Giles Corey, joined the SOBs after graduating from the University of Chicago in 1997. In 2001 he joined the band of the legendary Otis Rush, staying with him until the elder blues man's disabling stroke. Giles formed his own band, Lubriphonic and released 5 albums. As Giles developed as a songwriter and front man, he sought more of the truth he found in both roots and Blues music, thus hastening his return to the SOBs as both a soulful and riveting guitar player. He continues fronting his own highly acclaimed Giles Corey Band.
Dionte "McMusik" Skinner's hard hitting drum style drives the SOBs and grabs the audience at every gig! He is a highly sought-after studio musician because he is such a versatile, skilled drummer. Although he is the youngest SOB, he has immense commitment and passion regarding the Blues, so we are thrilled to have him in the band!
Mose Rutues Jr.retired in 2016. He was the drummer for the Sons of Blues for nearly 30 years. He
previously played with such legendary greats as Major Lance, Bobby Rush, Mckinely Mitchell, and Joe Tex. His intense energy and unique rhythmic style is the engine that powers the stylistic diversity of the Sons of Blues. His rich, Mississippi voice evokes the emotions of his southern Blues roots. |
Sumito Ariyoshi, aka Ariyo is internationally recognized for his vigorous innovative piano style. Ariyo is both an accomplished arranger and sought-after studio musician. He's shared the stage and toured the world with such legends as Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Eddie Shaw, Valerie Wellington, B.B.King, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He is the best traditional Chicago Blues piano player of his generation. He is beloved around the world.
Ari Seder is the newest S.O.B. In addition to being an outstanding bass player, he is an accomplished guitarist, composer and performer. He is in demand for both studio and gig work because of his versatility. His creativity and musicianship shine in his positive contributions to song arrangements and his ever-so-cool stage presence.
It is with great sadness that we confirm that Nick Charles lost his courageous 1.5 year battle with cancer on July 2, 2014. He was the griot and big brother to the SOB family. His stories of the old South enlightened us and gave depth to our Blues roots. He was given his first bass guitar and bass amp by Howlin Wolf! In addition, the young Nick was brought to Chicago by Howlin’ Wolf and Eddie Shaw. Early on Nick made his mark as the undeniable bass player extraordinaire. He played with Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Tina Turner, Eddie Shaw, Valerie Wellington and the Rolling Stones, just to name a few. In fact, you can see Nick on the DVD entitled, Muddy Waters & the Rolling Stones Live.”
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BILLY BRANCH, EMMY AWARD WINNER
3 TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE
RETIRED 2 TERM GRAMMY GOVERNOR
2020 BLUES FOUNDATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
ALLIGATOR RECORDS RECORDING ARTIST
Billy Branch was discovered by Willie Dixon, the "father of modern Chicago Blues," while Billy was still in college. Willie encouraged Billy to finish his college education, which he did, but instead of going to law school after receiving his political science degree, Billy began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. This gave Billy the unique opportunity to travel and work as an understudy for the legendary Carey Bell who was planning to leave the All-Stars and form his own band. When Carey took his leave, the young Billy Branch took his place, touring with Willie Dixon for 6 years.
Since those early days, Billy has played on over 300 different recordings including 15 albums under his own name. Billy has recorded with Willie Dixon, Johnny Winter, Keb' Mo, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eric Bibb, Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, John Primer, and Taj Mahal, just to name a few. Billy has three Grammy Award nominations, having lost one nomination to BB King and Eric Clapton! He served two consecutive terms on the NARAS Grammy Board of Governors and founded the First Grammy Blues Committee. Because Billy's Blues credentials include dozens of years spent working side-by-side with many of Chicago's illustrious Blues musicians of years gone by, he is considered an ambassador of Chicago Blues. Two different mayors of Chicago made proclamations claiming Billy as the Chicago Blues Ambassador. In that role he has written the forwards to three books, given numerous U.S. State Department cultural exchanges in other countries, presented keynote speeches (one was for the Obama Foundation), and presented to the leaders of Turkey's Parliament, teaching them to play harmonica! Billy also does commercial voice-overs and has acted in two major big screen movies. He is a principle actor and narrator in the recently released, epic radio drama, “Moja” a comprehensive historical fiction saga spanning five generations of the fictional Ellis family, chronicling African American music from Africa to present day USA. Check out the free downloads at www.mojasaga.com. Billy Branch is also honored to be a member of the Jim Irsay Collection Band that features Rock & Roll Hall of Famers like Vince Gill, Stephen Stills, Ann Hart, Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. (See more at www.jimirsaycollection.com)
Billy's last release on Alligator Records, ROOTS AND BRANCHES, THE SONGS OF LITTLE WALTER honors the iconic Little Walter, one of the principal architects of the Chicago Blues sound. His band takes Little Walter's classics and embed their unique creative synergy This highly anticipated album includes Little Walter's daughter, Marion Diaz, sharing a few anecdotes of life with her legendary father.
Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues (SOBs) celebrated their fortieth anniversary by headlining the 2017 Chicago Blues Festival. They kept tens of thousands of Blues fans thoroughly engaged for over two hours. It's hard to imagine that the SOB's very first paid gig was in Germany at the 1977 Berlin Jazz Festival. Over the many years since, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues have consistently delivered the Blues to fans around the world. During their six-week tour of Turkey, thousands of fans showed up every night of the week to experience authentic Chicago Blues. Billy has toured the Peoples Republic of China 5 times. The fans there have Blues Dance competitions and the meet a few times per week to dance in groups in many of the major cities! The Sons of Blues have made about 300 international tours, sharing the cultural legacy of the Blues around the world.
Billy Branch is a Blues education pioneer. He was one of the first artists to develop a Blues in Schools curriculum. Since 1978, in addition to recording and performing, he has taught hundreds of thousands of children around the world. His internationally recognized Blues in Schools Program is committed to teaching students of all ages about the Blues as the roots of America's music. Billy received the Blues Foundation's KBA (Keeping the Blues Alive) Award for his unique program in which his curriculum and instruction strategies open his students' eyes to music history, & music theory. Students also learn music skills that reinforce music as a positive creative outlet which inspires students to embrace music as a viable creative expression. He has shared his interdisciplinary program in Europe, South America, Australia, Asia, Central America and in Mexico where he taught his two-week program in Spanish. In addition, Billy has taught in the Grammy Museum Music Revolution Project and lectured at the University of Chicago and other institutions of higher learning. His university level lectures are some of the most popular and well attended classes. Billy brings music history and music theory come alive. He currently teaches each summer at the Pinetop Perkins summer camp in which highly motivated, talented students come from around the globe to learn to play and sing the Blues.
