September 17, 2002
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

Grammy Award-wining bluesman Keb’ Mo’
performs at UCSB Campbell Hall

Summary Facts:

• Keb’ Mo’
• One of the leaders of the acoustic blues revival
• Two-time Grammy Award Winner
• Eight-time Blues Foundation W.C. Handy Award winner
• Monday, October 28 / 8 pm
• UCSB Campbell Hall
• General: $30/$27, UCSB students: $19/$16
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at 893-3535

Keb’ Mo’, whose self-titled debut record was named one of the five best blues albums of the 1990s by Rolling Stone, will perform on Monday, October 28 at 8 pm in UCSB Campbell Hall. This two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-guitarist has crafted a fascinating mix of acoustic blues, soul, R&B and rock, a blend of the traditional with pop sensibilities that showcases his warm personality and graceful musicianship. In a concert review the Houston Chronicle claimed that Keb’ Mo’ “brought the wandering blues spirit of Robert Johnson into the age of the contemporary singer-songwriter. Other than Taj Mahal, whose smoky voice Mo’s sometimes recalls, there aren’t many younger black artists devoted to keeping rural blues alive. But Mo’ also writes originals as compelling as any contemporary singer-songwriter...in a perfect world, Mo’ would be a big star.”

Born Kevin Moore, he grew up in Compton, the beleaguered area of Los Angeles better known as the birthplace of West Coast rap and hard-hitting groups like NWA than as a home for the blues. Moore didn’t immediately discover his affinity for the blues, getting his first serious taste of the music business playing with former violinist for Jefferson Starship Papa John Creach in the early 1970s. Moore also worked for a time as a songwriter for A&M Records.

It was in the 1980s that Moore turned to the blues, playing in the Whodunit Band in Los Angeles, traveling to Mississippi to learn directly from veteran Delta bluesman Eugene Powell, and gigging with blues greats like Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner and Jimmy Witherspoon. He also played blues musician characters in LA stage productions, one based on Robert Johnson and another adapted from writings by Zora Neale Hurston. This theater experience would help him to write the score for Thunder Knocking on the Door, a blues musical that opened in New York City in the summer of 2002.

In 1994 his debut release Keb’ Mo’ was embraced by the critics and public alike; Amazon.com wrote, “Unlike many of the great bluesmen, the personable Moore doesn’t aspire to be evil or even rebellious; he writes terrific songs and performs them with talent and charisma.” His second record, Just Like You, won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Entertainment Weekly claimed, “Mo’ breathes new life into archetypal African-American musical forms.” His third album, Slow Down, also won a Grammy, cementing his reputation as a major creative force in contemporary blues.

“I would describe my form of the blues as just a little bit of everything that relates to the blues,” Mo’ has said in an interview. “It’s kind of like I’ve taken the blues and just went back and did a personal reevaluation and rebuilt on it again...What it seems to me is an avenue or genre where one can express themselves and reflect upon life’s bumps and bruises and rough spots. And appreciate them for what they are, things that make you stronger, things that make you more appreciative when things go good.”

His two most recent releases, 2000’s The Door and last year’s Big Wide Grin have him pull off the nearly impossible—he has recorded happy blues music. Grin is a family album, even featuring Mo’s son, 13 year-old Kevin Jr., who added vocals to a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.” About the record Mo’ says, “I didn’t want this to be the Cleavers. I wanted to have good sentiments and morals but be a broad-based definition of what family is—love, conflict, silliness, romance.”

Keb’ Mo’ is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and sponsored by KCBX Public Radio and Longoria Wines. Tickets are $30 and $27 for the general public and $19 and $16 for UCSB students.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.