Legendary Rhythm & Blues cruise (LRBC) #39, which set sail from San Diego on October 28, had a new crop of blues musicians on board. We called them the “youngsters” of blues music. They’re young, talented, have great vocals and play instruments, love blues music, and are the future of blues music. If anyone tries to convince you that blues music is losing momentum, just introduce them to Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, Mathias Lattin, and Dylan Triplett, and members of their bands. Their presence on the cruise was a collaborative effort between Kimberly Horton, President of the Blues Foundation, and Roger Naber, founder of the LRBC (and one of the founders of the KCBS), to introduce a different element into the cruise. They brought an exciting vibe to the usual traditional sounds of blues music. They were energetic, extremely supportive of each other, and just totally into the enjoyment and abandonment of making music and entertaining audiences.
Grammy winner, Kingfish, is the most famous of the group, and he never fails to mesmerize his adoring fans. He won this year’s 2023 Blues Blast Music Award “Electric Guitarist of the Year.” It’s so easy to see why as you watch his performances.
Dylan Triplett is the new kid on the block and won the “Sean Costello Rising Star Award” at this year’s Blues Blast Music Awards. He has impressive vocals reminiscent of old-school down-home blues performers, the look (yes, THAT look), musicality, and an irrepressible zest for performing.Another emerging blues artist is D.K. Harrell who is on the cusp of hitting it big. He is dedicated to preserving the traditional sounds created by B.B. King, Little Milton, and other great blues artists. He hopes to bring his perspective of blues to the world with the message that younger generations also have the blues. He’s out touring and performing with some of the biggest names in blues music. Watch out, World; here he comes!!
Mathias Lattin band is the 2023 IBC winning band and his brand of blues is jazz-infused, and his guitar prowess is phenomenal. He and his band can light up a stage as Kansas City discovered when they performed at the KCBS’ Blues in the Bottoms” show at Knuckleheads Saloon in September.
Together, and separately, these young men were all over the ship performing, hosting, and supporting jams, and just delighting everyone with their enthusiasm, friendliness, musical mastery, and plunge into good ole blues music.
They are the future of blues music, and, for that, all blues lovers should be proud and excited for what’s on the horizon as these young men mature, learn more from their elders, and continue their journey into becoming seasoned blues musicians
