Robert Pete Williams, born March 14, 1914, in Zachary, Louisiana, and departed this world on December 31, 1980, was an American blues musician renowned for his distinctive style and emotional depth in his music. Williams' journey into blues was unlike many of his contemporaries, as he didn't start recording music until he was in his 40s, following a tumultuous early life that included time spent in Angola Prison for a shooting incident. It was during his incarceration that his musical talents were discovered by ethnomusicologists Dr. Harry Oster and Richard Allen in the late 1950s, leading to his eventual pardon and release. Williams' music, deeply rooted in the Louisiana blues tradition, is marked by a highly individual style characterized by unconventional structures, haunting vocal delivery, and an intense, personal expression of themes ranging from hardship and incarceration to the human condition.

Over his career, Robert Pete Williams became an emblem of the blues' power to articulate the deepest human emotions and experiences. His discography, including titles like "Freight Train Blues," "Broken-Hearted Man," and "I'm Blue as a Man Can Be," serves as a testament to his talent for conveying profound emotional states through his guitar and voice. Williams performed at venues ranging from the Newport Folk Festival to small clubs, captivating audiences with his raw, unfiltered emotional delivery. Despite never achieving the commercial success enjoyed by some of his blues contemporaries, Williams' influence is felt profoundly in the realm of folk and blues music, recognized by connoisseurs and fellow musicians for the depth and authenticity of his artistry. His work remains a crucial link in the chain of blues music, offering a window into the soul of America's musical heritage.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Louisiana Blues

Traditional Blues

Latest Release

Serving Time: The Early Robert Pete Williams Anthology

Robert Pete Williams

Album - 13 Tracks - Released November 17, 2023