4 Highly Underrated Blues Guitarists of Today That You Probably Didn’t Know About

Talent thrives in the blues guitar world, with musicians capable of effortlessly charming a six-string with such natural ease. There are guitarists that go unnoticed despite having well-known names and legends, and their skillful finger movements on fretboards are deserving of recognition. These four exceptional musicians are shaping the blues scene today, frequently receiving less credit than they deserve.

Derek Trucks

Astounding audiences with his deft slide technique, Derek Trucks stands out in the modern music scene. Not one to overpower the melody, Trucks finds a unique place for his guitar to sing, often blending seamlessly with the voices that share his stage, including that of his wife, Susan Tedeschi. Rather than demanding center stage, his slide guitar work with the Gibson Artist Series Dickey Betts SG is an equal partner in the sonic ebb and flow of the performance.

In the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s latest album, “Signs,” Trucks brings narratives to life through his strings, proving that blues is not just a genre of the past but a language of the present. His playing style reinforces the album’s heartfelt messages and is an essential ingredient in the soulful concoction that the band delivers.

Samantha Fish

Samantha Fish is not just playing the blues; she’s redefining it. Her most recent work, “Kill or Be Kind,” journeys through unexplored aural landscapes, pairing traditional blues licks with a taste of modern technology. Fish isn’t afraid to experiment, using effects like octave shifts and delays to venture into new territories of sound while maintaining the core of blues storytelling.

Fish’s approach to music is a blend of reverence for the past and a bold vision for the future. She remains anchored in the blues ethos while challenging its boundaries, ushering in a new era for the genre – one where the past and the future can coexist and create something fresh and compelling.

Tab Benoit

With a style soaked in the Louisiana Delta, Tab Benoit exudes authenticity in every performance. His instrument of choice, a ’72 Fender Thinline Telecaster, seems less an external tool and more an innate part of his musical being. It’s with this guitar that Benoit has crafted his signature sound – one that is straightforward yet deeply expressive.

In recent years, recognition has come knocking for Benoit, who was inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists and began his venture as a record producer with the launch of Whiskey Bayou Records. These milestones honor a guitarist who embodies blues tradition while infusing it with a palpable passion and a unique voice.

Eric Gales

The indomitable Eric Gales commands attention through his distinctive guitar style, often being compared to Jimi Hendrix, not merely for his choice of a flipped Fender but for his profound musical expression. One could argue there’s a bit of Stevie Ray Vaughan in his sound, a richness that becomes immediately apparent when his fingers fly over the frets.

Listening to Gales’ interpretation of “Little Wing” or the tracks from his album “Bookends,” one hears how he makes every note his own. His music stands as a celebration of the blues roots and a courageous step into the realms of rock, powered by the unmistakable pitch-shifting twang of a DigiTech Whammy pedal, showcasing that traditional blues can indeed welcome the winds of change.