A 17-year-old American guitar prodigy joins international musicians at Mumbai's annual Blues festival

Quinn Sullivan started his career touring with Buddyacircu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Guy and BB King and is currently one of the best Blues guitar playersldquoYou damn right Irsquove got the blues from my head down to my shoesrdquo says Buddy Guy the Blues legend whenever on stage with the guitar The lines sum up what enthusiasts in the city can expect at the seventh edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival The 80yearold bent his strings thrice at the festival held annually at Mehboob Studios in Bandra The veteran wonrsquot be a part of the music fest starting today but his disciple Quinn Sullivan will take the legacy forward He will be joined by wellknown names like the Grainne Duffy Band and Supersonic Blues MachineWarrenacircu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Mendonsa of Blackstratblues will represent the Indian contingent at the festivalYoung gun on stageThe 17yearold guitar prodigy has been sharing the stage with Buddy and BB King since he was eight But Sullivan achieved stardom even earlier He appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show at the age of six An electric guitar hung round his neck he belted out The Beatlesrsquo Twist and Shout to perfectionGrainne Duffy at one of her earlier performancesSullivanrsquos third album Midnight Highway released last year and he will be using the platform to strum his originals for listeners in India ldquoI will be playing songs from my new record but there will be a few from Cyclone and Getting There his first two albums toordquo says Sullivan who will be playing at the festival for the second time In the 2015 edition he had Buddy for company ldquoEveryone will miss Buddy this time around But I am happy to be back and headline with my band In my last trip I saw India from close quarters and learnt about the people and the music It opened my eyes to so many things culturally and personallyrdquo he addsSullivan is also keen to check out Indian bands during his stay ldquoI had no idea about Blues bands in India not at all The first time I heard there was a following for Blues music here was when we were notified about playing at the fest two years ago I want to listen to the bands in India and meet more local peoplerdquo he saysBlues for allThe definition of the genre has evolved over the years While Howlinrsquo Wolf a master of Chicago Blues had said Blues is everything related to our daily lives ldquoIf you donrsquot have money to pay your rent you still have the Bluesrdquo Duffy who started her Blues and Soul career in 2007 calls it the grammar of all genres Along with her band she toured all major festivals including Glastonbury this will be her first in India ldquoNo matter what music is popular Blues is the foundation of everything It is the raw power and sentiment that appeals to people It makes them react People are usually in a trance when Blues is playedrdquo shares Duffy who is inspired by Fleetwood Mac and Bob DylanShe believes that Blues is evolving with modern Rock and Pop acts as well ldquoI hear the genre often integrated in songs by todayrsquos bands and acoustic singersongwriters It might be blended with different styles but it is growing One such artiste who blends Blues with his style of country is Chris Stapleton He performs in stadiums across the USrdquo she addsDuffy will be playing songs from her selfpenned album Out of the Dark ldquoThe sound is similar to Blues Soul Rock and Root They have a little Irish feel in places Most of the set will incorporate these songs and some new ones that I recorded for my next album I will also do covers of Dylanrsquos songsrdquo informs DuffyAmong Indian artistes Blackstatblues the Blues Rock project of guitar player and music arranger Warren Mendonsa will be a part of the festival like they have been in the pastOn Today to February 12 6 pm onwardsAt Mehboob Studios No 100 Hill Road Bandra WCall 26421626 Cost Rs 2500