Mississippi bluesman David Lee Durham passed, he was 64. Born in Sunflower, Mississippi, in 1943, David Lee Durham was raised in the blues. He grew up moving from farm to farm to pick cotton. Music was his release. Durham is a self-taught musician.
He finally got his hands on a four-stringed guitar when he was twelve years old and taught himself to play the Jimmy Reed songs he heard on the radio. Once he got down Jimmy Reed's sound, he went on to practice the styles of other Delta bluesmen. Durham can't read music; his ear has taught him all he knows. Most know him as the front man for The Ladies' Choice Band, which originated in 1975. For the past few years The Ladies' Choice Band has been the Sunday night house band at Club Ebony in Indianola, where they also open for B. B. King at his annual homecoming concert. In 2004, the band won the Delta's Regional Blues Challenge. That same year, the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola named Durham "Blues Musician of the Year." His signature sound inspired a new band, The True Blues Band and Durham became the front man again.
Sad to see him go, his Struggling and Straining was my favorite.
In the departure of Mr. David Lee Durham, I now miss the Mississippi Delta more than ever. For 5 years I've known you. Thank you sir for the time we shared. Thank you sir for the music and instruction you gave me. You will truly be missed.
I'm so sad to hear this. I met David at the Lucerne Blues Festival, and right away found him talented and charming. Another big loss for the blues community.
Post new comment