Ben Powell

For Ben Powell, blues music is about roots, originality and feeling."How do you feel ?.... cause if your on, that's how you'll play". Powell blends county blues, early jazz and roots music with influences ranging from Blind Boy Fuller and Charlie Patton, to Jelly Roll Morton and Django Reinhardt. Lately his own songs have been flowing, "there's so much going on right now in the world... so much to address, lots of blues fuel" Ben is set to begin a new all original recording in the fall of 08', due for release in spring 09'. His performances mix his originals with covers of material by all these artists and more. The depth of his original work and its attention to authentic detail, makes for a smooth transition between his own material and that of his musical inspirations.Powell has been writing, recording and performing in San Diego for more than 10 years. He's recently completed two new CD's "Not Home Yet" Vol.1 & 2, featuring blues songs of the past by his favorites, a follow up to his "Spirit of the Law" on Mingi Records.Ben is a true student of the blues greats; on any given afternoon you're as likely to find him poring over an old biography of Jelly Roll Morton as listening to a classic Blind Lemon Jefferson record."Powell possesses a gravelly voice, reminscent of Boz Skaggs, which compliments his outstanding rhythmic acoustic guitar work perfectly." --Ren Zenner, Coast News"Going to see Ben Powell perform is like taking a trip back in time to a crowded, smoky little bar at the end of a gravel road in some little southern town. With songs about love and loss, hard work and heartbreak, and even home cookin', Powell's work communicates as the blues should, and speaks with emotion and soul." --Harley Orion, Surf City Times