You could call Taj Mahal a singer, composer, producer, two-time Grammy-winner, world-class musical collaborator, musicians' advocate, world traveller, fisherman or cigar aficionado. These titles are all accurate, yet none convey the warmth, humour, and soulfulness of Taj and his music. He has been playing his own distinctive brand of music - variously described as Afro-Caribbean blues, folk-world-blues, hula blues, folk-funk, and a host of other hyphenations - for more than 40 years.

 A 2009 inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame, Taj Mahal's has received a huge nine Grammy Award nominations over his career, and has won two of these. The first in 1997 with Best Contemporary Blues Album for Se or Blues, and again in 2000 with Best Contemporary Blues Album for Shoutin' in Key. A perennial Bluesfest favourite, last time round he played to sell-out crowds alongside Buddy Guy. This time looks set to repeat.

"The one thing I've always demanded of the records I've made," he says, "is that they be danceable". Cue the music: 'Linda Lou', 'Fishin' Blues' & 'Paint My Mailbox Blue' for starters - and let the good times roll.

Taj Mahal stars in two exclusive Bluesfest sideshows:

Adelaide  - The Gov MON 25 March 2013

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