Dr. J. B. Blues
Dr. J. B. Blues is a new kind of blues artist - thoughtful, multi-talented and confident. With the debut radio single 'Little Wing' running up the charts, Dr. J. B. Blues is in a unique position to re-define the genre.
LAUREN: Let's just get this out in the open- What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in your music career?
DR. J. B. BLUES: Its a great joy and a little bit crazy to get all this great response for my album “Bluesy Sky over Paris “ and especially for my song “Little Wing”. Its awesome to create music and people actually listening to my music. I am honest, I did not expect such a great response. Even people who never listened to blues, listen to my music, because I did a step away from classic blues-rock to a kind blues-rock-pop to reach more people. Believe and disbelieve in my music are always close when it comes to potential listeners.
LAUREN: Your song 'Little Wing' is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
DR. J. B. BLUES: It was a great joy of course to hear my own song on the radio and a dream came true . To put the radio on and to hear your music is one of the greatest things a musician can experience. Just oneself knows the work it took to get there.
LAUREN: What was the inspiration behind your radio single?
DR. J. B. BLUES: The inspiration for me was Jimmy Hendrix and his great song Little Wing. Its one of the greatest songs in history in my opinion and a very emotional song. Stevie Ray Vaughan did a great instrumental version of this song, which is thought to be one of the greatest blues productions ever. I did my one interpretation of the song. I mixed up the two versions of Jimy and Stevie and slowed it down a little to get more a kind of ballad style to reach more people with this song.
LAUREN: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
DR. J. B. BLUES: Its certainly true and in some way I can relate to this saying. In my case it would probably be the fact that I was not pushed to go into music , in spite of having talent. My mother said I should study medicine , what I did and music came always second. But music was my first love and it will be my last. But now music is in the first place and I could realize my dream and I am very happy things came true.
LAUREN: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician?
DR. J. B. BLUES: I am grounded and I am a perfectionist, it has to do with my whole personality. So everything has to be perfect. But I am also very sensitive. The most important thing for me is to transport emotions with music. You can play a wrong note, but you should never play without emotions.
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LAUREN: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
DR. J. B. BLUES: It is always a great joy to have talented people in your team. Everything gets better because of the interaction with others and their great talent. It was a pleasure to work together with Christophe Garreau (bass) and Guillaume Destarac (drums), two of the best French studio bluesmen. And the recording by Tristan Abgrall at L Àuditorium Studios Paris and the mastering by John Davis (“Led Zeppelin Remasters”) at Metropolis Studios Paris were an outstanding experience for me.
LAUREN: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
DR. J. B. BLUES: Yes totally. My father was a great violin player. My brother plays guitar and sings and my sister plays sax and sings, a family of musicians.
LAUREN: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
DR. J. B. BLUES: Rewarding is probably the smile on someones face listening to your music. Challenging is the fact that it is difficult to make music as a professional. Very few have the possibility to live from what they do.
LAUREN: Who are your role models in music?
DR. J. B. BLUES: I have been influenced by blues and most by Jimy Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, two of the greatest guitar players and musicians of all time. The last five years I studied the work of Stevie, what had a big influence on my album “Blusy Sky over Paris”.
LAUREN: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
DR. J. B. BLUES: It was on a charity show “Blues against cancer “ in 2019. I played Stevie Ray Vaughans “Scuttle Buttin” a lot faster than the original. It was a great success. I recorded this song also on my album “Bluesy Sky over Paris”.
LAUREN: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
DR. J. B. BLUES: This is such a personal question. One advice is probably to listen to your instincts. Do what you feel and most important believe in yourself and don’t give up until you have reached what you want.
LAUREN: What's next for you as an artist? Is there an album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
DR. J. B. BLUES: I am preparing another blues album in the style of “Bluesy Sky over Paris” to reach many people and not only blues fans. And I am working on some unusual idea. “Dr.J.B.Blues sings Sinatra”. Let’ s see where it goes…
LAUREN: That sounds great! Thank you for giving us more insight into your life as an artist. I wish you much continued success in your career!
https://www.theakademia.com/artistkit/DrJBBlues-LittleWing.html