iFest Time/Date
Bud Light World Music Stage
May 1, 4:30pm
Genre
Blues
Bio
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb’ Mo’s music is a living link to the seminal Delta blues
that traveled up the Mississippi River and across the expanse of America--informing all
of its musical roots—before evolving into a universally celebrated art form. Born Kevin
Moore in South Los Angeles to parents originally from the deep South, he adopted his
better known stage name when he was a young player who became inspired by the
force of this essential African-American legacy. In the storied tradition of bluesmen
before him including Muddy Waters—formerly McKinley Morganfield—and Taj Mahal,
who began his days as Henry St. Clair Fredericks, Moore became known as Keb’ Mo’.
that traveled up the Mississippi River and across the expanse of America--informing all
of its musical roots—before evolving into a universally celebrated art form. Born Kevin
Moore in South Los Angeles to parents originally from the deep South, he adopted his
better known stage name when he was a young player who became inspired by the
force of this essential African-American legacy. In the storied tradition of bluesmen
before him including Muddy Waters—formerly McKinley Morganfield—and Taj Mahal,
who began his days as Henry St. Clair Fredericks, Moore became known as Keb’ Mo’.
Mo’s music is also a purely post-modern expression of the artistic and cultural
journey that has transformed the blues, and his own point of view, over time. His
distinctive sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including pop, rock folk and jazz,
in which he is well-versed. In total, it owes as much to contemporary music’s singersongwriter
movement, encompassing his longtime friends and collaborators Bonnie Raitt
and Jackson Browne, as to the spirit of blues godfather Robert Johnson that dwells in
his work. For Keb’ Mo’, the common bond between these influences is the underlying
storytelling ethic, the power of song to convey human experience and emotional weight.
journey that has transformed the blues, and his own point of view, over time. His
distinctive sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including pop, rock folk and jazz,
in which he is well-versed. In total, it owes as much to contemporary music’s singersongwriter
movement, encompassing his longtime friends and collaborators Bonnie Raitt
and Jackson Browne, as to the spirit of blues godfather Robert Johnson that dwells in
his work. For Keb’ Mo’, the common bond between these influences is the underlying
storytelling ethic, the power of song to convey human experience and emotional weight.
Keb’ Mo’ is a three time Grammy winner for Contemporary Blues Album and was
Grammy nominated for Country Song of the Year for ‘I Hope’ a co-write with the Dixie
Chicks that appears on their latest album. His songs have also been covered by such
artists as BB King, Wynonna, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Robert Palmer and Tom Jones!
Grammy nominated for Country Song of the Year for ‘I Hope’ a co-write with the Dixie
Chicks that appears on their latest album. His songs have also been covered by such
artists as BB King, Wynonna, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Robert Palmer and Tom Jones!
