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Biography

How does one measure a life? Success, awards, and wealth are conventional metrics, but for Eric Bibb the measure goes deeper—into the questions he poses through his music. With a career spanning five decades, over forty albums, three Grammy nominations, a multitude of Blues Foundation awards and countless more accolades, Bibb has secured his legacy as a legendary figure in the blues and roots genre.

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Photo by Jan Malmström

Born into a lineage of activism, Eric's father, the late Leon Bibb, was a key figure in the civil rights movement, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King. Immersed in the Village folk scene during his youth, Eric found inspiration in the visits of luminaries like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger. Influenced deeply by the sounds of Odetta, Richie Havens, and Taj Mahal, he synthesized these elements into a style uniquely his own.

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Beyond conventional genres, Bibb is labeled a bluesman, but he defies categorization, seamlessly sliding between musical realms. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music reflects his thoughts on current world events and his own lived experiences, whilst remaining entertaining, uplifting, inspirational and relevant.

 

Bibb’s catalogue is now over forty albums strong, a testament to an artist whose message and musicality continue to deepen with time. His ethos shone brightly in 2023’s Grammy-nominated Ridin’, inspired by Eastman Johnson’s painting A Ride for Liberty, and resonated through 2024’s In The Real World, recorded at Peter Gabriel’s iconic Real World Studios to widespread acclaim. Now, with his forthcoming album One Mississippi — out January 30th, 2026 via Repute Records — Bibb embarks on his most ambitious and musically adventurous chapter yet.

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Featuring thirteen original songs written or co-written with Grammy-nominated producer Glen Scott, alongside a poignant cover of Janis Ian’s “One Mississippi,” the album is a call for peace, justice, and unity in a divided world. Recorded with a stellar ensemble of international musicians, One Mississippi bridges Bibb’s rich blues heritage with a fearless contemporary vision - blending classic roots, soul, and Americana into something timeless.

A lifelong storyteller, Bibb continues to pose the question that runs through his remarkable body of work: Am I the change I long to see?

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As Eric reflects on his musical journey, gratitude pervades. Evolution is evident in his voice and guitar playing, with his words providing grounding in truth and fostering a vision of unity amid a world filled with divisive rhetoric. Eric Bibb is more than a blues troubadour; he is a storyteller and philosopher. His legacy is not just in the notes he plays or the stages he graces but in the questions he poses and the hope he instills.

© 2025 Eric Bibb.

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