One String Sam

    This is One String Sam's second appearance at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. He was on last year's Saturday afternoon Detroit blues show, and if that appearance is any indication, look out! Sam mesmerized the audience that afternoon with his slinky, winding one string blues raga.

    Sam plays an incredibly simple one string instrument he built himself. It's fretless, and plays the notes of one chord. Just slide a glass up and down the wire. I got to see Sam last Zenta New Year's Eve at a small house party. The intimate surroundings made his performance overpowering - the man casts a spell. It's real Juju music, born in grey and grimy Detroit, but with deep roots in lushly green Africa. One String Sam is an original, playing the music of ancients.

                             ---Jim Dulzo