James Superchikan Johnson

About me:

For the latest news, tour dates, bios, and press kits, please visit Super Chikan's web site.

Super Chikan is a Clarksdale, Mississippi-based blues musician and artist who is known throughout the world not only for his Delta blues but also for his folk-art guitars. Since his 1997 debut album "Blues Come Home To Roost", James has gone on to release "What You See" (2000), "Shoot That Thang" (2001), "Chikan Supe" (2005), "Sum Mo Chikan" (2008), and "Chikadelic", recorded at the Juke Joint Studio in Notodden, Norway, which will be released internationally later this year.

In the Clarksdale area, Super Chikan is probably best-known for performing regularly at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero blues club, and for being Freeman's favorite blues performer. Super Chikan has toured and performed at festivals in Africa, Japan, UK, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Russia and Switzerland, and has performed for the President of the United States. He was nominated for the Best New Artist Blues Music Award in 1998, and has received five Living Blues Critics Awards. In 2004, Super Chikan received the Mississippi Governorʼs Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Here are some reviews of Super Chikan's performances and recordings:

"James 'Super Chikan' Johnson is at his best delivering no-nonsense Delta shuffles punctuated by his distinctively crisp, angular leads and piercing tone… Searing lava-flow intensity one minute, back-road sparse eloquence the next." David Whiteis, Living Blues

"As original as the Southern folk art he creates, 'Super Chikan' today is the most authentic performer of real deal Delta blues. Growinʼ up near Clarksdale juke joints such as Redʼs or Margaretʼs Blue Diamond Lounge, Chikan has internalized the deepest music that hangs in the air every day." Art Tipaldi, Boston Blues

"He is one of the most original and inventive of artists playing today. …He can play the feathers off of guitars. He makes good use of the 'wah-wah' pedal and he is one of the most entertaining acts you will ever see, and one hell of a guitar player to boot. A definite must to see if he is anywhere near your yard, both for his originality of playing and his fun filled show." Bob Gottlieb, Acoustic Music

"All is right with the world once again. Super Chikan has blessed us with another wonderful recording of his unique vision of Mississippi Delta blues. His blues are done with a wink and a grin, and a good time is always guaranteed. Heʼs known worldwide as one of the most entertaining Blues performers." Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes

For more information, a press kit, photos, and more, please visit Super Chikan's new web site at www.superchikanandthefightingcocks.com.

For bookings, please contact Sara Negri Whitmer by sending email to Sara at MusiciansMutual.com. For information about the Musicians Mutual Agency, please contact Charles 'Rags' Ragsdell by sending an email to Rags at MusiciansMutual.com.

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Here are a few videos of some past performancs!