Nashville Jazz and Blues Festival

The Bailey Connection

The Bailey family’s history of musical artists began with DeFord Bailey, Sr., who was the first African American to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. He was a country and blues musician known as the "Harmonica Wizard" and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

DeFord Bailey Jr. was a Nashville R&B music mainstay for decades. Jimi Hendrix used part of his band and it's been said that his guitar style was influenced by "Junior."

Hershel Bailey, DeFord Bailey Sr.'s grandson, doesn't lack in his own name recognition. In 2003, Hershel was voted Male Blues Vocalist of the Year by The Nashville Blues Society. Long before that, Herschel started singing at family events as young as 9 years old. By the age of eighteen, Herschel began performing professionally as the lead singer of his father’s band.

He also performed as lead singer with The Jimmy Church Band and in 1992, he toured in Europe with them.

We look forward to Herschel's performance on Saturday, June 17, at the Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival.