Carlos Johnson is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is left-handed, but plays a right-handed instrument upside-down like players such as Otis Rush, Albert King, and Jimi Hendrix. Johnson is known for his aggressive playing which has attracted audiences in Chicago blue scene since the 1970s. He has played on recordings of notable musicians including Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues and Son Seals.

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Carlos Johnson was born in Chicago, IL in 1953. Living on the Southside in the Kenwood Neighborhood, his father and mother influenced his musical inspirations at a young age. Listening to anything from classical music to blues, there was a wide range of music being played in the house. Carlos was given a Mickey Mouse guitar when he was a young kid and at that time he knew that he had found his calling. His singing start in school when he joined a acappella group as a soprano singer. Singing and playing guitar as a hobby with his friends in a basement turned into a career when he was offered to start playing with the queen of the blues, KoKo Taylor. Touring with the KoKo Taylor around the world, he knew that this was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life. After KoKo, he started playing with Son Seals. Learning from Son, he had started to play around Chicago and playing at notorious blues clubs like Theresas Lounge, Checkerboard Lounge, and so many more.

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His intense style of guitar playing landed him in bands with Junior Wells, Billy Branch, Otis Rush, Little Johnny Christian, Lefty Dizz, and many many more. He also has had the experience to play along side B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Ron Wood, Albert King, and so many legendary blues musicians. 

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Carlos Johnson started touring internationally with his own band without even an album release. Touring Poland and Japan with his band, playing the music he was born to play. Carlos has recorded many notible albums and has toured the world. He has won awards and was inducted into the Chicago blues hall of fame as a Master Blues Artist.

 

You want to have him at your festival, venue, private event, because he will bring the REAL Chicago blues to you.

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Book this legendary musician today!