Demetria Taylor has been performing at BLUE CHICAGO since 2010. She is
the seventh child of eight from the family of the late blues legend
Eddie Taylor Sr. and is helping keep the legacy of her father alive.
Eddie is best known as the rhythm guitarist in the band of Jimmy Reed
but he also had his own solo career and recorded some wonderful sides
for the VJ label including the classic "Bad Boy". Her mother Vera
Taylor was also a blues singer. Demetria has fond memories of blues
greats and friends of the family coming by the house-- including Floyd
Jones, Carey Bell, Sunnyland Slim, Johnny Littlejohn, Sam Lay, Willie
Kent, Tail Dragger, Eddie Shaw, Johnny B. Moore and Magic Slim. Born
in Chicago, Demetria grew up surrounded by Blues music listening on
records to her biggest influences including Etta James, Bessie Smith,
Big Mama Thornton and most importantly, "The Queen of The Blues" Koko
Taylor (no relation to the Eddie Taylor family). Demetria started
playing drums at age 14, coached by her older brothers Larry and Tim,
both professional blues drummers. She played in family shows across
Chicago which also featured brother Eddie Taylor Jr. on guitar. She
also sang in the gospel choir at Trinity All Nations Church on
Chicago's south side. "I put God first and everything else will work
out", says Demetria, who is married with eight children. "I feel that
singing is something I was born to do. Sometimes on the stage my eyes
tear up as I feel the music I'm singing. I love to listen to all types
of music, but the blues caught my ear. I'll never give up my dream."
Demetria has toured nationally and internationally and performs in
many clubs and festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival. Her
first album, Bad Girl, is on Delmark Records. Demetria was nominated
in 2012 Blues Music Awards for "Best New Debut Artist".
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03/03/2020 Last update