Browse our collection of SoCal musicians and bands! Search by name or genre! Recommend updates or additions by clicking here!
Brother Yusef
Description
Brother Yusef is a self-taught musician and has been described as a master solo guitarist and a uniquely passionate vocalist. His performances are raw~ honest~ and as real as the genre has ever aspired to be. Honed over thirty years~ he calls his multifaceted style fattback blues for its a rich mix of Delta~ Chicago~ and Texas blues alongside a hard-driving Louisiana stomp. Fattback Blues combines "traditional" fingerpicking and slide guitar playing with the contemporary feel of urban blues~ rock~ and funk. He uses his right-hand thumb to beat out a percussive bass-line and shuffle while the index finger plays rhythm and lead lines~ creating a full band sound with a solo guitar.
Brother Yusef was born in Bakersfield~ California~ in June 1963. Four years later~ he moved with his family to South Central Los Angeles~ California~ before settling in Altadena~ California~ in 1969.
Brother Yusef began playing the guitar at the age of 19. His music interest first peaked as a young child while attending Holiness Church services with his grandparents in Bakersfield. The loud music of the church both scared and excited him. The atmosphere he remembers as being a lively and open celebration. Drums~ electric guitars~ singing~ and dancing filled every space of the little church. Another musical inspiration came when Yusef witnessed the Jackson 5 performing on television. His focus was not so much a young Michael Jackson singing and dancing~ but the two older brothers~ Tito and Jermaine~ and the “cool” visuals of them playing the electric guitar and electric bass guitar. His dreams of being a musician born.
With his close friend and fellow budding musician~ Yusef started experimenting with a variety of musical styles. He studied blues~ jazz~ reggae~ funk~ and rock before deciding the blues was to be his calling.
Brother Yusef approaches the blues from a musical~ spiritual and social context. He is quoted as saying~ “for African Americans~ blues is survival~ healing~ and freedom.”
Performing at various blues and music festivals~ social dance events~ Brother Yusef has gained worldwide recognition. He takes his audience on a musical journey~ from a backwoods jook joint~ to the fiery emotions of the sanctified church.
Brother Yusef was born in Bakersfield~ California~ in June 1963. Four years later~ he moved with his family to South Central Los Angeles~ California~ before settling in Altadena~ California~ in 1969.
Brother Yusef began playing the guitar at the age of 19. His music interest first peaked as a young child while attending Holiness Church services with his grandparents in Bakersfield. The loud music of the church both scared and excited him. The atmosphere he remembers as being a lively and open celebration. Drums~ electric guitars~ singing~ and dancing filled every space of the little church. Another musical inspiration came when Yusef witnessed the Jackson 5 performing on television. His focus was not so much a young Michael Jackson singing and dancing~ but the two older brothers~ Tito and Jermaine~ and the “cool” visuals of them playing the electric guitar and electric bass guitar. His dreams of being a musician born.
With his close friend and fellow budding musician~ Yusef started experimenting with a variety of musical styles. He studied blues~ jazz~ reggae~ funk~ and rock before deciding the blues was to be his calling.
Brother Yusef approaches the blues from a musical~ spiritual and social context. He is quoted as saying~ “for African Americans~ blues is survival~ healing~ and freedom.”
Performing at various blues and music festivals~ social dance events~ Brother Yusef has gained worldwide recognition. He takes his audience on a musical journey~ from a backwoods jook joint~ to the fiery emotions of the sanctified church.
