Jimmy Reed (Mathias James Reed) was one of the most influential bluesmen of the post-World War II period. With a blues style that was rhythmically relaxed and uncommonly accessible, Reed sold more records in the 1950s and early 1960s than any other blues artist save B.B. King. His "sweet" style of blues, rooted in traditional Delta groundwork, made its mark on listeners, both black and white, and had a profound effect on rock groups such as the Rolling Stones and solo artists like Bob Dylan.

Where Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf confronted their listeners with gritty, urgent blues, Reed was more apt to stroke them with laid-back blues grooves that hit a responsive chord almost instantly. It's no surprise that Reed was able to cross over regularly onto the pop charts. With non-threatening vocals, gentle harmonica riffs, and walking bass passages, Jimmy Reed and his blues were downright difficult not to like.

A big chunk of credit for Reed's success must go to guitarist Eddie Taylor, his near-constant companion and the creator of the rhythms that fueled Reed's blues, and to Reed's wife, Mary Lee "Mama" Reed, who wrote many of his songs. Yet it was Reed who delivered the goods. It was he who set the feel of the songs and projected the warmth and the easy flow that made the Jimmy Reed repertoire so distinctive and popular.

Reed was born September 26, 1925 in Dunleith, Mississippi. It is this beginning that provided the exposure to the Blues. His tools for the blues were a Harmonica, Guitar and his pleading, boasting, chuckling or threatening voice. Reed's simple but evocative sound of walking bass lines mixed with high and slow harp did develop that unique, stacatto style, a blowing style with a lot less suck than someone such as Little Walter or Sonny Boy Williamson.