About Jimmy Blue

Jimmy “Blue” Phipps’ journey to the blues has been a lifetime in the making. Born in Philadelphia, PA, with family roots in the southwest corner of Georgia, he grew up surrounded by a rich musical heritage. Summers were spent soaking in the deep blues at his grandmother’s and Aunt Nan’s home on Pineland Plantation, while the rest of the year he listened to family records featuring legends like Ray Charles, B.B. King, Little Milton, and Fats Domino.

Jimmy first attempted to follow in the footsteps of his cousin, John Lofton, the principal trombonist for the LA Philharmonic, but found the trombone wasn’t for him. It wasn’t until he heard Muddy Waters’ album Hard Again that he discovered his true calling. The gritty vocals of Muddy and the powerful harp of James Cotton stirred something in him, and he knew the blues was where he belonged.

Over the years, Jimmy has performed with the award-winning blues band Blue Light Special, gaining widespread acclaim. He’s shared the stage with blues greats like Magic Slim, Guitar Shorty, Linsey Alexander, Charlie Love, Bryan Lee, Johnny Winter, The Nighthawks, and many others.

After taking time off to raise a family, Jimmy is back and ready to make music again with his new band, The Jilted Playboys. If you’re looking for a rocking blues experience, come check out a show—The Jilted Playboys have something special in store for you!