Bukka White, born Booker T. Washington White on November 12, 1906, was a highly influential Delta blues musician known for his gritty vocals and skillful slide guitar work. He grew up in the heartland of the Mississippi Delta and was early on exposed to the rich tradition of blues and spirituals. White began his recording career in the 1930s, quickly establishing himself as a potent force in the blues scene with his first recordings for Victor Records and later for Vocalion. His style was marked by a compelling combination of raw, emotional delivery and powerful guitar playing, which often incorporated a resonator for that distinct metallic twang that became a staple of the genre.
White's career was interrupted by a prison sentence at Mississippi's notorious Parchman Farm Penitentiary, experiences from which would deeply inform his later music, most notably in songs like "Parchman Farm Blues." After his release, he resumed music briefly before World War II took most of his audience. His fortunes changed in the 1960s when the American folk blues revival sparked renewed interest in his work. Albums like "Parchman Farm" and "Aberdeen, Mississippi Blues" led to a resurgence in his career, allowing White to tour the United States and Europe until his passing on February 26, 1977. Bukka White's powerful Delta blues have influenced numerous musicians and continue to captivate listeners with their authenticity and raw emotion.
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