Billy Branch is Making a Scene

October 25, 2025

HOME PAGE

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Billy Branch!

Billy Branch is one of the most respected and influential harmonica players of his generation — a true ambassador of Chicago Blues. Discovered by the legendary Willie Dixon, often called the “father of modern Chicago Blues,” Branch was still in college when Dixon took him under his wing. Dixon urged him to complete his degree, which he did, earning a political science degree before joining Willie Dixon’s Chicago All-Stars.

That opportunity allowed Branch to tour internationally and learn directly from the great Carey Bell, who was preparing to launch his own band. When Bell departed, Branch stepped into his role and spent six years touring the world with Dixon — an apprenticeship that laid the foundation for a lifelong career dedicated to preserving and evolving the Chicago Blues tradition.

Over the decades, Billy Branch has appeared on more than 300 recordings, including 15 albums under his own name. His collaborations span an extraordinary range of artists, from Willie Dixon, Johnny Winter, and Koko Taylor to Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Eric Bibb, Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Lou Rawls, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and many more. He’s been nominated for three Grammy Awards, served two terms on the NARAS Grammy Board of Governors, and founded the first Grammy Blues Committee. Twice, the City of Chicago has officially recognized him as the Chicago Blues Ambassador — a title he continues to embody through his performances, education, and advocacy for the art form.

Branch’s career extends far beyond the stage. He has written forewords for multiple books, represented the United States on cultural exchanges through the State Department, and delivered keynote speeches, including one for the Obama Foundation. His international outreach even includes teaching harmonica to members of Turkey’s Parliament.

He’s also made his mark in film and media — recording commercial voice-overs, acting in major motion pictures, and starring as both principal actor and narrator in the acclaimed radio drama Moja, a sweeping historical fiction that chronicles five generations of African American musical history. (Available for free download at www.mojasaga.com.)

In recent years, Branch has joined the Jim Irsay Collection Band, performing alongside Rock & Roll Hall of Famers such as Vince Gill, Stephen Stills, Ann Wilson, Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Branch’s 2019 Alligator Records release, Roots and Branches: The Songs of Little Walter, is a heartfelt tribute to one of the architects of the Chicago Blues harmonica sound. The album reimagines Little Walter’s classic songs with modern energy and features personal anecdotes from Walter’s daughter, Marion Diaz.

Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues (SOBs) have been a cornerstone of the Chicago Blues scene for more than four decades. From their debut performance at the 1977 Berlin Jazz Festival to headlining the 2017 Chicago Blues Festival, the group has captivated audiences around the world with their authentic, high-energy performances. They’ve completed more than 300 international tours, performing in countries across Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America — including five tours of China and a six-week run in Turkey that drew thousands of fans nightly.

Equally renowned as an educator, Branch is a pioneer of Blues in Schools programs, having developed one of the first comprehensive Blues education curriculums in 1978. His award-winning Blues in Schools initiative has introduced hundreds of thousands of students around the globe to the roots of American music, combining history, theory, and performance. The Blues Foundation honored him with a Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award for his lifelong commitment to music education.

Branch continues to teach worldwide — from university lectures and the Grammy Museum’s Music Revolution Project to the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Summer Blues Camp, where he mentors young musicians each year. His programs inspire students not only to understand the Blues as history but to live it as a creative, empowering form of self-expression.

More than a musician, Billy Branch stands as a cultural bridge — preserving the soul of the Blues while ensuring its evolution for generations to come.

Google	Spotify	Deezer	Breaker
Pocket Cast	Radio Public	Stitcher	TuneIn
IHeart Radio	Mixcloud	PlayerFM	Amazon
Jiosaavn	Gaana	Vurbl	Audius
Reason.Fm

Find our Podcasts on these outlets

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Buy us a cup of Coffee!

$5.00

$15.00

$100.00

$5.00

$15.00

$100.00

$5.00

$15.00

$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate Donate monthly Donate yearly

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.