The Memphis Jug Band, an ensemble pivotal in the history of Southern folk and blues music, was formed in the mid-1920s in Memphis, Tennessee. Led by vocalist, guitarist, and harmonica player Will Shade, also known as "Son Brimmer," the group was renowned for its eclectic blend of blues, ragtime, jazz, and string band traditions characteristic of the Mississippi Delta region. Their music, infused with the resonant sound of the jug—played by blowing into its opening to create a bass-like rumble—captured the spirit of the Roaring Twenties' urban South.

Alongside Will Shade, the Memphis Jug Band included musicians who were virtuosos in their own right, like harmonica player Noah Lewis and guitarists Charlie Burse and Will Weldon. Over the years, the lineup frequently shifted, welcoming a broad array of talent that contributed to the ensemble's innovative sound. The group became one of the most recorded jug bands of their era, leaving a profound legacy on the genres of folk, country, and blues. While "Memphis Jug Band" is one of their cornerstone self-titled releases, showcasing their signature sound, albums like "Memphis Jug Band Associates & Alternate Takes" delve into the depths of the band's rich discography and collaborations. The band's influence can be heard clearly in modern interpretations of traditional American music, cementing their place as jug band legends in releases such as "Ragtime Legends" and "On the Road Again," which illustrate the enduring appeal of their rhythmically compelling, melodically rich, and culturally significant artistry. Their music provides a vivid sonic document of the jug band craze that swept through the South in the 1920s and 1930s and remains an important reference point in the study of Americana in anthologies like "Backgrounds of Jazz: The Jug Bands."

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Appalachian Folk

Jug Band

Memphis Blues

Traditional Blues

Traditional Folk

Latest Release

Ragtime Legends

Memphis Jug Band

Album - 12 Tracks - Released October 29, 2021