Jesse Graves Tribute - (1949 - 2023)

Jesse Graves (born October 31, 1949, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania) real name Michael Floyd, was an American Blues guitar player and singer. He was known for playing Acoustic Delta Blues in the style the songs were originally written circa the 1920’s and 1930’s. He started playing music in the 1960’s, immersing himself in the East Coast folk music scene. Johnny Shines told him, “Son, you got bluesman shoes, and that’s enough.” With Shines encouragement he sought out Reverend Gary Davis and Son House. In performance, he played his own music and covered his favorite artists Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Jesse played with and opened for Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Little Feat, and The J. Geils Band. Jesse released his debut record in 1972 on his own label, Gazebo Records. The album was re-mastered and re-released in 2018. In 2022, his 45 single “Dust My Broom” was re-mastered and re-released.