Biography
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, a guitarist whose sound draws primarily from blues while incorporating elements of rock, R&B, and hip-hop, issued his debut album at age 20 after already attracting notice from established figures in rock and blues circles. Having taken the stage publicly since age 11 and shared bills with Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Ingram unveiled Kingfish in 2019, a recording that displayed a robust approach spanning hard-edged blues-rock riffs and understated acoustic blues phrasing. The album positioned him as a significant presence in contemporary blues, a standing he reinforced two years later with the release of his follow-up, 662. In 2023 he issued Live in London.
Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1999 and a cousin of country artist Charley Pride, Ingram started on drums at six and switched to bass at nine. Exposure to a Muddy Waters documentary alongside his father sparked his blues interest; at eleven his parents gave him his first guitar, after which he joined classes at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. Instructors Bill "Howl-N-Madd" Perry and Daddy Rich identified his promise during sessions at the Ground Zero Blues Club, where Perry bestowed the nickname "Kingfish." In 2014 Ingram performed for Michelle Obama when Delta Blues Museum students appeared at the White House. The following year the Rhythm & Blues Foundation presented him with its Rising Star Award, and Tony Coleman of B.B. King's band later facilitated an introduction between Ingram and King at a Mississippi festival.
Eric Gales featured Ingram on the 2017 album Middle of the Road. Buddy Guy, Bootsy Collins, Dave Grohl, and Rakim publicly endorsed the young guitarist's playing. Producers of the series Luke Cage discovered online footage and cast him in a supporting part while placing his versions of "The Thrill Is Gone" and "I Put a Spell on You" on the soundtrack. Following high school, Ingram expanded his touring to clubs and festivals across the United States, Europe, and the Netherlands. In 2018 he traveled to Nashville to record his debut with producer Tom Hambridge, whose prior credits included work with Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, and George Thorogood. Alligator Records released Kingfish in May 2019; guest spots came from Buddy Guy and Keb' Mo'. The album earned a nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards and won Album of the Year at the Blues Music Awards, one of five honors Ingram collected that night.
Ingram delivered his second studio album, 662, in summer 2021. Once again produced by Tom Hambridge and largely co-written by the artist himself, the Grammy-nominated set preceded further festival appearances throughout North America and Europe. In September 2023 he digitally issued the Zach Allen-produced Live in London, captured with drummer Christopher Black, bassist Paul Rogers, and pianist/Hammond B-3 organist Deshawn Alexander. The two-disc, fifteen-track collection surveyed material from throughout his career.
Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1999 and a cousin of country artist Charley Pride, Ingram started on drums at six and switched to bass at nine. Exposure to a Muddy Waters documentary alongside his father sparked his blues interest; at eleven his parents gave him his first guitar, after which he joined classes at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. Instructors Bill "Howl-N-Madd" Perry and Daddy Rich identified his promise during sessions at the Ground Zero Blues Club, where Perry bestowed the nickname "Kingfish." In 2014 Ingram performed for Michelle Obama when Delta Blues Museum students appeared at the White House. The following year the Rhythm & Blues Foundation presented him with its Rising Star Award, and Tony Coleman of B.B. King's band later facilitated an introduction between Ingram and King at a Mississippi festival.
Eric Gales featured Ingram on the 2017 album Middle of the Road. Buddy Guy, Bootsy Collins, Dave Grohl, and Rakim publicly endorsed the young guitarist's playing. Producers of the series Luke Cage discovered online footage and cast him in a supporting part while placing his versions of "The Thrill Is Gone" and "I Put a Spell on You" on the soundtrack. Following high school, Ingram expanded his touring to clubs and festivals across the United States, Europe, and the Netherlands. In 2018 he traveled to Nashville to record his debut with producer Tom Hambridge, whose prior credits included work with Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, and George Thorogood. Alligator Records released Kingfish in May 2019; guest spots came from Buddy Guy and Keb' Mo'. The album earned a nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards and won Album of the Year at the Blues Music Awards, one of five honors Ingram collected that night.
Ingram delivered his second studio album, 662, in summer 2021. Once again produced by Tom Hambridge and largely co-written by the artist himself, the Grammy-nominated set preceded further festival appearances throughout North America and Europe. In September 2023 he digitally issued the Zach Allen-produced Live in London, captured with drummer Christopher Black, bassist Paul Rogers, and pianist/Hammond B-3 organist Deshawn Alexander. The two-disc, fifteen-track collection surveyed material from throughout his career.
Albums
Singles
