Blues legend Keb’ Mo’ trades collaborations for solo show

Blues legend Keb’ Mo’ may be performing solo at the Bing Crosby Theater on Sunday, but his most recent work has found him teaming up with other artists.

Last year, Keb’ Mo’ and fellow legend Taj Mahal released “TajMo,” a collection of both originals and covers that featured appearances by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Sheila E., Lizz Wright and more.

“He’s a stellar human being, just a brilliant man,” Keb’ Mo’ said of Taj Mahal on the duo’s website. “Making this record was a really big deal for me. I learned a lot working with him.”

The feeling was mutual for Taj Mahal.

“Keb’s really good at keeping the ball up in the air,” he said. “I got to see quite a few sides of him, and I was really impressed. He’s a hell of a guitar player, and I’m just amazed at some of the stuff that he put out there.”

The album was named the Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2017 Grammys and the 2018 Blues Foundation Awards.

“TajMo” won album of the year at the Blues Foundation Awards and Keb’ Mo’ was named the best contemporary blues male artist.

More recently, Keb’ Mo’ collaborated with Rosanne Cash on an anthemic single called “Put A Woman In Charge,” which was released Sept. 28.

“ ‘Put A Woman In Charge’ is about trying something else,” Keb’ Mo’ said on his website. “There have been a lot of great achievements made by men or by the masculine, but maybe, just maybe, we’ve gotten too comfortable with the imbalance of men in power and have fallen short by not listening and embracing what women have to offer when they lead. I think the song should be heard and conversations need to be had. It’s about empowering each and every one of us to contribute, and to be brave to step forward and speak up.”