Jazz Articles about Henry Townsend

Henry Townsend & Friends: Henry's Worried Blues

by Derek Taylor
May 1, 2001

Miraculously still active after nearly a century of life Henry Townsend is a certified blues legend. A native of Mississippi born in 1909, he set up residence in St. Louis in his late teens and was soon ensconced in the thriving blues scene there. His sound is indicative of the region and often features sparse, utilitarian picking and a focus on melancholy vocalized verses. Short’s style is similarly shaped, but is noticeably different in the amount of vibrato he bleeds ...