ABOUT

Grit. Energy. Heart.

Foot stomping rhythms and raucous slide guitar interweave with soulful gospel roots and balladry. The Southern Gothic sound of Jhett Black draws from years of  experience on the road with underground folk rock band, Gleewood, and his passion for American roots music.

Somewhere between teaching himself slide guitar behind the chicken coop of a New Mexico ranch house and an endless sea of dive bars, the blues found their way into the young man’s heart and pours back out with the passionate performance of an older soul.

Jhett won 2nd place at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, 2022, in the solo/duo category. His self-produced EP, Roots, landed on the Roots Music Report Blues Charts as #1 for four weeks and in the top 10 for over twenty weeks. His debut blues rock album, Babel, received acclaim across the blues scene internationally landing on the Big Blues Charts and the Roots Music Report Blues Charts in the #10 for twelve weeks.

The internationally received songwriter draws from deep sources such as Lead Belly and Howlin’ Wolf, while illustrating ballads with lyrical nods to storytellers like Johnny Cash, and Nick Cave.

All Releases

The southern gothic sound of Jhett’s bass-baritone voice growls over the top of gritty slide guitar and wages war on struggle and strife bearing an honest and powerful take on blues and roots.

Babel OUT NOW

“Babel” has been in the top 40 Blues Rock Charts for 12 weeks straight! Check reviews of “Babel” below


Acoustic Blues Album, “Roots”

Top 10 for acoustic blues for 10 weeks 2022

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An Evening of the Blues

 

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Have you heard?

Blues music fans, it's time to tune in and experience the latest news and updates about Jhett Black. The buzz is all about his achievement at the 2022 Memphis Blues Challenge, where he emerged victorious as 2nd place in the solo/duo category. But that's not all, his charting blues album, which has been taking the airwaves by storm, showcases his soulful vocals and gritty slide guitar. And the excitement doesn't stop there. Get ready for something truly out of this world as Jhett Black gears up for his upcoming release, "Babel," a galactic roadhouse blues album set to drop on September 8th, 2023. This highly anticipated project promises to transport listeners to another dimension with its captivating melodies and infectious rhythms. So, fellow blues enthusiasts, prepare yourselves for a musical journey like no other. Keep an ear to the ground for the latest news on Jhett Black and his upcoming releases.

 

“Wayward Son” a single from Jhett Black’s latest record, Babel, has made it to the Finalists round of the International Songwriting Competition 2023.

 

PRAISE FOR BABEL

A listen that seems vintage but modern, dirty yet harmonic and is unpredictable from beginning to end, Black pens a very creative and unique version of Americana that uses blues, goth, roots and southern ideas with much intrigue. 9/10.
— Take Effect Review

Babel finds Jhett Black well in command of his dynamic vocals and instrumental styles, and his forceful presence as a blues rock shines brightly on this new album.
— Harry L. Carrigan Jr - Living Blues Magazine

The printing ink didn’t have time to dry out properly when the kingdom already had a new monarch.
Sorry Tommy (and Blues News readers), but the blues album of the year is here, that’s for sure!
— Riku Metelinen Blues News Finland 2024

Black sings with fortitude on the Aerosmithy slither of “Mamma Told Me Not To” and is harrowing surrounded by the humming organ on “Eulogy”. Keep the hall light on.
— George W. Harris - Jazz Weekly

Jhett Black’s latest album is a captivating musical journey into the heart of North
Mississippi Hill Country Blues. Drawing inspiration from his deep-rooted love for
‘roots music,’ this album serves as a testament to his passion and respect for the genre. Following his success at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Jhett embarked on a new musical adventure, co-producing his own album. with the assistance of Glenn Halverson, and the collaborative efforts of Al Basile and Callie Sioux. The album highlights Jhett’s distinctive and soulful voice, which explores the realms of rock, soul, and blues. Eleven tracks infused with hypnotic melodies on such tunes as, Mamma Told Me Not To, Eve and Eulogy, hauntingly eloquent and powered by resonator guitars, creating a fresh and intense listening experience. One
notable aspect of the album is the absence of bass, allowing the guitars and drums to establish a unique musical dimension. The absence of bass amplifies the synergy between the instruments, giving the album a raw and authentic feel. Each song bears Jhett’s distinctive touch, enveloping listeners in a sonic atmosphere both dark and melodic, often reminiscent of heavy blues and garage blues influences. With its
seamless blend of traditional blues elements and contemporary innovation, Jhett Black’s album not only pays homage to the Delta’s rich musical heritage but also points toward the future of blues music. This release is a testament to Jhett Black’s artistry and his ability to breathe new life into a classic genre.
— Colin Campbell Blues Matters Magazine

There are some memorable songs. String drums and slide guitar inspire the opening song ‘Roll Out’. The tone is set immediately. ‘Gold’ is a modern track, and diverges with that slide guitar from ‘Wayward Son’. ‘Sonic Tonic’ is a hypnotic boogie, just as ‘Going Down’ is a great cover. It’s great! Knap!
— 4.5 Stars from Philip Verhaege Keys & Chords

“In 2022, singer and multi-instrumentalist Jhett Black won the International Blues Challenge. That this was not a hitch, proves his debut album Babel. A very impressive album that sounds dark and filthy.”
— Peter Marinus Bluestown Music
Babel is blues, but it’s also more than that, a Leadbelly meets ZZ Top kind of thing, with lots of fat synth tones to muddy the waters if you’ll pardon the pun
— By John Kereiff Features - Rock Doctor
A former underground folk-rocker who taught himself slide guitar behind a chicken coop in New Mexico, Jhett Black possesses a rich, distinctive baritone voice chockful of Southern gothic swagger, something than enabled him to take second place in the solo/duo division of the IBCs in 2022. And he launches Delta blues into places it’s never gone before here.
— Marty Gunther Chicago Blues Guide
Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jhett Black has returned with the bewitching blues album Babel, a disc ideally suited to showcase his rich baritone vocals and rich song craft layered amidst a Gothic soundscape with layers of Southern-fried guitar work and driving rhythms. Babel will appeal to fans of traditional and modern day blues.
— Robert Kinsler Rock 'n' Roll Truth
Its fresh and hypnotic music immediately drives us to the Delta, but also to the future of blues music.
— La Hora Del Blues - Spain
The coolest and most creative song on the album is Sonic Tonic. This is where the B-52’s meet the blues….no kidding!! My favorite tune is Devil Ain’t an Only Child which is the kind of tune that would have fit perfectly for almost any episode of a televised series I loved, Sons of Anarchy. Another great tune enhanced by his deep voice is Gold for which there is a Lyric video available on Youtube that has some engaging visuals.
— Ben Vee Blues
This very successful album is the work of an artist confirmed and terribly inspired. Very deep, it even quickly becomes addictive, as its repertoire is so grabbing. Dark ‘n’ Roll
— François Alaouret - Rocknforce France
Lots of good stuff to choose from including the gritty fuzzed out blues of the album opener “Roll Out”, the intoxicating “Mama Told Me Not To”, the Boogie blues number “Eve”, the title cut “Babel” featuring some fine slide guitar from Black, the dark and sinister sounding “Gold”, the powerful “Wayward Son”, the blues moaner “Devil Ain’t An Only Child”, the New Wave inspired blues rocker “Sonic Tonic” and a sly cover of the Freddie King classic “Going Down” that closes out the album. With a fresh and honest approach to the way he makes music Jhett Black is a true original.
— Bob Silvistri WNY Arts & Entertainment
The dark and heavy content of Babel, which includes 10 original songs, plus a searing cover of the Freddie King classic, “Going Down,” is emphasized with the smooth and intimate croons of Jhett’s bass/baritone voice that explodes into passionate growls that breaks down the boundaries between rock, soul, and blues.
— FotoBluesRock NL
Wrapping the release is Don Nix’s Going Down. With the thumping kick drum and strong single line guitar lead, it’s a cool blend of RL Burnside and Jeff Beck. Solid closer for a solid release.
— Bman's Blues Report

The ominous good fun continues on "Mamma
Told Me Not To," a warning that Black's delivery makes quite believable.
Resonator and slide guitars romp throughout and there are plenty of nods to
John Lee Hooker and the Mississippi Delta.
— Get the Blues - Kevin Wierzbicki

“Babel”, the new album (CD and vinyl) is at once a deep dive into the depths of the Delta and an expedition into the future of blues music.
— Blues GR. Michael Limnios Blues Network

If only they gave Grammys for Best Raw Confession That Will Set You Right… or what Jhett Black describes as “Southern Gothic Blues. Murder ballads and gospel blues… Pain and hope. Struggle and victory.”
— Parcbench.live Greg Victor

Roots holds in the Top 10 for 10 weeks ~ RMR

Roots now #1 in Acoustic Blues Charts and #31 in Blues

Jhett Black’s album Roots is now charting

Jhett Black now being played in ISKC Blues Cafe’s regular blues program

ISKC is based in the Netherlands : https://iskcrocks.com/?page_id=81

I am honored to be representing San Angelo, TX, at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, January 2022

I am honored to be representing San Angelo, TX, at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, January 2022