Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is an American blues musician from Harlem, born in 1942 and based in New York City in his early years. Born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, he works as a singer, songwriter and film composer, and plays guitar, banjo and harmonica among other instruments. His music draws on blues, blues rock, acoustic blues, contemporary folk, country blues, electric blues and related traditions, and he also incorporates elements of world music, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.

Career

After college, Taj Mahal moves to Los Angeles and forms Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signs to Columbia Records, releases one single and records an album that is not issued by the label until 1992. Mahal then leaves the group and continues as a solo artist. Still on Columbia, he releases his self-titled debut album in 1968, followed by Natch'l Blues later the same year.

In 1969 he releases Giant Step with his electric band and the solo album De Ole Folks at Home as a double release. The same period also produces The Real Thing, a live recording with a horn section. These records help establish his reputation as a distinctive blues artist who expands the genre beyond its usual boundaries.

Collaborations, bands and projects

Over the course of his career, Taj Mahal works in several band formats and projects, including Taj Mahal & The International Rhythm Band, Taj Mahal & the Hula Blues Band, Great American String Band, Taj Mahal Trio, Taj Mahal & the Phantom Blues Band, Taj Mahal Quartet and Stand!. He remains associated with Rising Sons through his early work with Ry Cooder.

Recognition and screen work

Taj Mahal wins two Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category, for Señor Blues in 1997 and Shoutin' in Key in 2000. He also performs on film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, and appears in Blues Brothers 2000 as well.