Blues Quiz C-001

Erja Lyytinen (b. 1976) from Kuopio, Finland, is one of Europe's finest blues guitarists, known internationally for her exceptional slide guitar technique. She studied at the Helsinki Conservatory and Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, and has been called 'the new Empress of the Blues' by Guitar World magazine. She has performed with Joe Bonamassa and at major festivals worldwide.

Robert Johnson (1911–1938) wrote and recorded 'Cross Road Blues' at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas on November 27, 1936. The song, about standing at a crossroads trying to hitch a ride, later inspired the myth of Johnson selling his soul to the devil. Eric Clapton's cover with Cream ('Crossroads') in 1968 brought this Delta classic to a worldwide rock audience.

Notodden Blues Festival, held annually in the small industrial town of Notodden (pop. ~12,000) in Telemark, has been one of Europe's premier blues festivals since 1988. B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Joe Bonamassa, and hundreds of international acts have graced its stages. The town is also home to the European Blues Museum.

That soulful, powerful voice is Etta James performing 'At Last' – her signature song and one of the most iconic recordings in blues and R&B history.

Elmore James (1918–1963) recorded his electrified version of 'Dust My Broom' for Trumpet Records in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951, with Sonny Boy Williamson II on harmonica. The opening slide guitar riff – based on Robert Johnson's 1936 original – became one of the most recognizable in all of blues and has been copied by countless guitarists.

Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1968), known as Little Walter, recorded 'Juke' in 1952 at Chess Studios. It became the first (and still one of the only) instrumental blues harmonica singles to reach #1 on the R&B charts, staying there for 8 weeks. He revolutionized the instrument by amplifying it through a microphone cupped in his hands, creating the distorted, powerful tone that became the standard for Chicago blues harmonica.

Aaron Thibeaux 'T-Bone' Walker (1910–1975) was the first blues musician to use an electric guitar as a lead instrument. His 1947 recording 'Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)' is one of the most covered blues songs ever. He also pioneered showmanship – playing guitar behind his head and doing the splits, moves later adopted by Jimi Hendrix and Chuck Berry.

That signature vibrato and warm 'Lucille' tone is unmistakably B.B. King performing 'The Thrill Is Gone' live at Crossroads 2010.

Knut Reiersrud (b. 1961) is Norway's most internationally acclaimed blues and roots musician. A master of bottleneck slide guitar, he has collaborated with artists across the globe – from Mali to Mississippi – blending Norwegian folk traditions with deep Delta blues. He has won multiple Spellemannpriser and performed at major blues festivals worldwide.

Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram (b. 1999) from Clarksdale, Mississippi – the birthplace of Delta blues – won a Grammy in 2022 for his album '662' (named after Clarksdale's area code). Mentored by Buddy Guy and endorsed by blues royalty, he represents the living connection between Delta blues' past and future. His 2019 debut 'Kingfish' was produced by Tom Hambridge.