Shirley King

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"High energy, get down, get funky, jump up and jiggle your business Chicago blues... I give this group my highest recommendation."
–Maryam Ahmad, Assistant Dean of Multicultural Affairs, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

"The Blues Legend Raised A Musical Gem."
–Prevue Magazine

"She blew my mind, she was like Etta James, Koko Taylor and B.B. King all rolled into one."
–Charles Hayden, Vue Weekly

Being the blues singing daughter of B.B. King has earned Shirley King the title “Daughter of the Blues,” but she is an outstanding singer and performer in her own right.

Her father's career exposed her to the company of great singers. Born and raised in Memphis, Shirley began singing in the church choir at age nine. When she was 13 she met another music legend – Etta James. Young Shirley was so impressed by Etta's performance that she made Etta her musical role model. Ruth Brown and the late Mahalia Jackson also greatly influenced the fledgling singer.

She says, "I grew up around the stage watching my dad become famous, but I never imagined I'd become a blues singer too." Ms. King came late to the blues, first trying it on in 1990. Within six months, she was a regular performer at the Kingston Mines. Two years later she saw the release of her first CD, "Jump Through My Keyhole" on the Japanese GBW label.

Once her father caught her act he lent his full support to Shirley's efforts at carrying on the blues tradition. She admits that having a legendary father helped her get through doors, but it was her talent, charisma and high-energy stage presence that got her invited back. From traditional blues to gospel to funky R&B to smooth soul, Shirley defies genre and her singing and stage antics will fire you up!

Shirley has sung at major blues clubs and festivals worldwide. She toured the U.S., Canada, Italy, France and Iceland as “The Daughter of the Blues.” She has performed with B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Albert King, Little Milton, Tyrone Davis, Otis Clay, Jerry Butler, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Eddie Clearwater, Billy Branch and many others.

She has also worked with kids as an artist-in-residence with the highly acclaimed Urban Gateways Arts in the Schools Program at Chicago Public Schools, and continues to expose school children to the history blues has played in American culture. Shirley always rocks the house whether it’s a museum, on-campus performance, fest or nightclub.