Concert: Taj Mahal

Keywords

Taj Mahal Concert Schedule

Chicago Gigs

Taj Mahal

Album

Songs

Video

Music

Background:

Born on 17th May, 1942, Taj Mahal is a United States blues musician. He comes from a music loving family, his father being jazz pianist/composer/arranger of Jamaican descent and his mother taught in a South Carolina school, who sang gospel.

Born in the New York City, his birth name was Henry St. Clair Fredericks. He studied Agriculture and Animal Husbandry at the University of Massachusetts, in the early 60's and it was there that he formed Taj Mahal & the Elektras. Taj Mahal - his stage name was result of a dream.

In 1964, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles. In 1996, Rising Sons with Ry Cooder was formed by him. They signed up with Columbia Records and released one single. They had also recorded another album but then it was not released till 1992. The mixed reaction that the band got was frustrating to Taj and he went solo. In 1968, still under Columbia, he released two albums and it consolidated him as an American Blues artist. His tracks became a cult favorite.

His music ranges from blues, reggae, Cajun, gospel, bluegrass, South Pacific, African and Caribbean musical traditions. He maintains his own special touch while sticking to the root.

He had received two Grammy for "Best Contemporary Blues Album". He has contributed to movie like "Sounder" and "Blues Brothers 2000". He has also featured in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey and The Song Catcher.

Selected Discography:

Taj Mahal (1968)
The Natch'l Blues (1968)
Giant Step/De Ole Folks At Home (1969)
The Real Thing (1971)
Happy Just To Be Like I Am (1971)
Recycling The Blues & Other Related Stuff (1972)
Mo' Roots (1974)
Take A Giant Step (1983)
Dancing The Blues (1994)
Phantom Blues (1996)
Señor Blues (1997)
Shoutin' In Key (2000)
Hanapepe Dream (2003)