Anthology

John Mayall is a pioneering English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose musical career spans over 50 years.

Best known as the founder of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Mayall helped introduce the world to music greats like Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor and Buddy Whittington.

In the process, Mayall has been an ambassador for all styles of blues and jazz.

Mayall,76, first got into American music by listening to his guitarist father’s extensive jazz record collection and felt drawn to the blues. Strongly influenced by such greats as Leadbelly, Albert Ammons, Pinetop Smith, and Eddie Lang, from the age of 13 he taught himself to play and develop his own style with the aid of a neighbor’s piano, borrowed guitars, and secondhand harmonicas.

His latest album, “Tough,” was released in 2009.