kent duchaine

Kent DuChaine is an American Blues singer and guitarist based in Fort Gaines, Georgia.  I first met him at a gig 6 years ago during one of his popular UK tours and have since made it to several of his performances, which mix his exhilarating instrumental and vocal virtuosity with a zest for storytelling.  In this portrait, Kent is playing his beloved 1934 National Steel guitar, nicknamed "Leadbessie".  On his t-shirt is the famous image of Robert Johnson.  In 1989, Kent began playing with the legendary bluesman Johnny Shines, and they performed over 200 shows together over a period of three years.  Shines had travelled and played alongside Robert Johnson during the 1930s and both musicians are a big influence on DuChaine's Delta Blues sound.  In this portrait I wanted to capture the character and soul of DuChaine, who still maintains a heavy touring schedule in his late sixties, as well as something of the love and lifelong dedication he has for Blues music itself.