Taj Mahal (musician)

Taj Mahal
Mahal in 2005
Born
Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr.

(1942-05-17) May 17, 1942 (age 82)
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Spouse(s)Anna de Leon,
Inshirah Mahal (1976–Present)
RelativesCarole Fredericks (sister), Aya de Leon (daughter), Deva Mahal (daughter)
Musical career
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • banjo
  • harmonica
  • piano
Years active1964–present
Labels
Websitetajblues.com

Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr. (born May 17, 1942), better known by his stage name Taj Mahal, is an American blues musician. He plays the guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, and many other instruments,[1] often incorporating elements of world music into his work. Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his more than 50-year career by fusing it with nontraditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa, India, Hawaii, and the South Pacific.[2]

  1. ^ Evans, et al., xii.
  2. ^ Komara, 951.