Biography

Keb’ Mo’ was born in 1952 and developed an early appreciation for gospel and blues when he was growing up. He started playing guitar in a calypso band as a teenager, and throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s Keb’ Mo’ performed with a number of backup bands for other musicians. A collaboration with Papa John Creach led to his first steady gig when Keb’ Mo’ was only 21, and his music can be heard on four of Jefferson Airplane’s albums.  Keb’ Mo’ also began work as a writer around this time, and he continued to perfect his craft for the next two decades, until in the early 1990’s Keb’ Mo’ began pursuit of a solo career.

Keb’ Mo’, the artist’s debut effort, was released in 1994. Just Like You followed two years later, and earned Keb’ Mo’ his first Grammy Award. Additional albums followed, including: Slow Down (1998), The Door (2000), Sessions at West 54^th: Recorded Live in New York (2000), Big Wide Grin (2001), Keep It Simple (2004), Peace… Back by Popular Demand (2004), Suitcase (2006), Live and Mo’ (2009), and The Reflection (2011.) Throughout the years, Keb’ Mo’ has also contributed music in collaboration with other artists, including Amy Grant (on her Greatest Hits 1986-2004 album); Tracy Chapman (on “Ain’t No Sunshine” in 2005); and Otis Taylor (providing banjo and vocals on tracks for the album Recapturing the Banjo.) Keb’ Mo’ also sings “I See Love,” the opening song for the television show Mike & Molly.

In addition to his musical performances, Keb’ Mo’ has also been seeing playing the characters Robert Johnson (in the film Can’t You Hear the Wind Howl, 1998); the Angel of Music (in episodes of Touched by an Angel, 1997); and Possum (in the film Honeydripper, 2007.) A three-time Grammy Award winner, Keb’ Mo’ continues to write and perform, both as a solo artist and in collaboration, with plans for future projects on the horizon.