Jimmy Johnson

Hailing from a musical family (his brother is Syl Johnson of "Take Me to the River" fame, and another brother Mack played bass for blues singer Magic Sam), Chicago Blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimmy Johnson spent many years as a sideman before stepping out as a leader in the late 1970s. He emerged as a stunningly cliche-free songwriter, capable of crafting moody, minor key tunes that reflect his years playing in Soul bands. As a singer Johnson has a high, throaty voice that's incredibly soulful and expressive, and his deft, swinging guitar playing is jazzy and inventive. All in all, Johnson is one of the more unique blues artists to come out of Chicago in the 1970s.