Photo: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Since Billy Branch’s first Blues in Schools Program in Chicago thirty years ago, he has delivered his empowering curriculum to students all over the world. For example, the Ford Foundation funded a 2 week program in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico to demonstrate the common legacy of African-American and African-Mexican cultural roots. Billy Branch's Blues in Schools interactive program provides students with the opportunity to: *Develop collaboration & teamwork skills *Cultivate multi-cultural appreciation *Enhance their creative expression *Practice their writing skills *Broaden their horizons *Explore their musical interests & aptitudes *Interact with world class musicians *Increase their understanding of American History After writing original songs, learning old Blues standards and developing musical performance skills, the students perform at a local festival or venue with Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues! 
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Photo: Indianola, Mississippi Billy Branch spent two weeks in Mississippi teaching 1500 students to play the BB KING SPECIAL on harmonica. On the day of the grand opening of the BB KING MUSEUM, over a thousand students from neighboring towns met at the Indianola High School. Like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Billy led the students down the streets of Indianola to the BB KING MUSEUM, playing their harmonicas the whole way! What a way to honor the KING of the BLUES! 
BIS students learn to play drums, bass, guitar and piano in long term residencies. The students learn from world class performing musicians.
Photo: BIS in Switzerland
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Photo: Owuor w/Macklemore & Ryan Another Blues in Schools alum who has exploded into the big time is Owuor Arunga. Even at 12 years of age he was a stand out trumpet player and song writer. Now he graces the stage with international sensation Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Whether it's the American Music Awards, the Grammy Awards or Billboard Magazine, these guys deliver with both passion and social consciousness.  DeAndre Enrico, Blues in Schools Alum
Now the bass player for AJ and the WAy
Blues in Schools alum, DeAndre Enrico played with another former Blues in Schools student, Ayron Jones in his band, A.J. and the Way, a hard hitting Blues rock band making waves with original tunes like, Baptized in Muddy Waters" giving reference to their Blues Roots. More on them at: http://www.ajandtheway.com/ Now these cats are full grown musicians playing to sold out crowds! 
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Roots and Branches, the Songs of Little Walter by Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues featuring personal stories by Little Walter's daughter, Marion Diaz Roots And Branches –The Songs Of Little Walter features 15 songs written by or made famous by the harp genius, each one brought to new life by Branch and The Sons of Blues as they blend elements of soul, funk and gospel into the proceedings while remaining true to the integrity of the originals. "A potent blend of rootsy integrity and exploratory zeal" --Living Blues Billy was interviewed on Chicago's Public Radio WBEZ-FM on The Morning Shift (August 9, 2019). Billy discusses his new release Roots And Branches—The Songs Of Little Walter, tells personal stories about the blues legends he's worked with, his involvement with Blues In Schools and more. Listen here. |
LATEST CD: "BLUES SHOCK"
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING Billy Branch, a fire-kissed harp-playing protegé of blues great Willie Dixon, …[and] the Sons of Blues have constructed a daring new release, one that blends a series of tough-minded, cliche-free originals with inventively re-imagined takes on classic tracks ― never giving an inch to age, convention or expectations... In short, Blues Shock is aptly named, combining things you’d expect and things you most certainly would not from a modern blues recording ― but somehow, perhaps only through Branch’s steely force of will (well, and his spit-flinging harp), it all works. Nick DeRiso, Music Critic for Something Else Reviews To see the complete review click here: http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/01/19/billy-branch-and-the-sons-of-blues-blues-shock-2014/ |