Eric Bibb

Eric Bibb, born August 16, 1951, is an American blues singer and guitarist who has built a significant career primarily in Europe. He is based in London, England.

Early Life and Musical Roots

Born in New York City into a highly musical family, Bibb's upbringing was steeped in the arts. His father, Leon Bibb, was a trained singer active in musical theatre and a notable figure in the 1960s New York folk scene. His uncle was the renowned jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet. The family's circle included influential artists such as Pete Seeger, Odetta, and actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, who was Bibb's godfather.

Bibb received his first steel-string guitar at the age of seven. He recalls formative conversations with fellow musicians, including a piece of advice from Bob Dylan at age eleven: "Keep it simple, forget all that fancy stuff." By sixteen, Bibb was playing guitar in the house band for his father's television talent show, Someone New. His early musical inspirations included members of his father's band, such as Bill Lee (father of filmmaker Spike Lee), who would later appear on Bibb's album Me To You.

Developing His Sound

In 1969, Bibb performed guitar for the Negro Ensemble Company in New York. He then pursued studies in Psychology and Russian at Columbia University. At nineteen, he moved to Paris, where an encounter with guitarist Mickey Baker solidified his passion for blues guitar. Later, relocating to Sweden, Bibb found a fertile creative environment that reconnected him with the spirit of the Greenwich Village folk revival.

Settling in Stockholm, Bibb immersed himself in pre-war blues music, continuing to write and perform. His 1997 album, Good Stuff, led to a contract with the British label Code Blue. Bibb's sole release on Code Blue, Me to You, featured collaborations with his musical heroes Pops and Mavis Staples, and Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal also collaborated with Bibb on the Grammy-nominated children's album Shakin' a Tailfeather. This period saw Bibb's international profile rise, marked by extensive tours across the UK, USA, Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany.

Manhaton Records and Later Work

In the late 1990s, Bibb, alongside his manager Alan Robinson, established Manhaton Records in Britain. This venture saw the release of albums including Home to Me (1999), Roadworks (2000), and Painting Signs (2001). He also released another album, Just Like Love, on the Opus 3 label.