Bruce "Mississippi" Johnson
“beautifully soulful...impressive”
Underground Press
The Award-winning London-based African American jazz, soul and blues singer Bruce Lester “Mississippi” Johnson was born in Mississippi and grew up in Indianapolis. After 7 years in the US Marines he found himself in Paris and made the decision to make singing his full time profession and has, as they say, never looked back. With his reputation on the rise in Paris he formed his own funk band that was to go on and win the Jack Daniel’s music competition in Bordeaux before joining the band of legendary blues bassist Big Joe Turner (BB King, Albert King), which gave him a chance to tour the world and at the same time hone his Blues vocal skills. It was at this time that Bruce produced his first CD "That's The Deal Baby" which was a contemporary take on old school blues and soul. Returning to Paris Bruce eventually ended up on the French version of "The Voice" leading to his being asked to join one of France's foremost "Rat Pack" ensembles, Forever Gentlemen. Tonight Bruce will be performing music of the great Gil Scott-Heron as well as his own music that he promises will be a "Blues & Groove Extravaganza."
"His voice puts me in mind of ...great vocalists such as Lou Rawls" Blues Matters; “…worth picking up just for Bruce’s soulful voice alone. Add the nostalgic feel of the ’70s funky soul...and you have something different, a ”blues” that everyone should appreciate.” Blues Rock Review; “beautifully soulful...impressive” Underground Press; "There's something you can't quite place your finger on when it comes to this vocalist. He's like an exotic butterfly you've captured and don't know where it comes from or what it will become tomorrow" Athens News