Biography
Julius Daniels occupies a notable position in Piedmont blues history despite having laid down only a handful of tracks. Among the earliest Black performers from the southeast to enter a recording studio, he influenced later blues musicians through his distinctive fusion of finger-picked blues with sacred numbers and country songs.
His debut session took place in 1927, when he shared billing with guitarist Bubba Lee Torrence. Guitarist Wilbert Andrews joined him for the follow-up session.
Born in the small South Carolina community of Denmark in Bamberg County, Daniels resided in Pineville, located in Berkeley County, from 1912 until 1930. He moved to Charlotte that year and remained in the North Carolina city for the rest of his life, holding a range of positions that included work as a fire fighter.
His most recognized piece, “99 Year Blues,” has been interpreted by Jim Kweskin, Chris Smither, Hot Tuna, and Johnny Winter. It is frequently cited as a possible origin for “Viola Lee Blues,” the number Cannon’s Jug Stompers cut in the 1920s and the Grateful Dead revived in 1966.
His debut session took place in 1927, when he shared billing with guitarist Bubba Lee Torrence. Guitarist Wilbert Andrews joined him for the follow-up session.
Born in the small South Carolina community of Denmark in Bamberg County, Daniels resided in Pineville, located in Berkeley County, from 1912 until 1930. He moved to Charlotte that year and remained in the North Carolina city for the rest of his life, holding a range of positions that included work as a fire fighter.
His most recognized piece, “99 Year Blues,” has been interpreted by Jim Kweskin, Chris Smither, Hot Tuna, and Johnny Winter. It is frequently cited as a possible origin for “Viola Lee Blues,” the number Cannon’s Jug Stompers cut in the 1920s and the Grateful Dead revived in 1966.
Albums