George 'Mojo' Buford Benefit to take place in St. Paul on Sunday

By Erik Thompson Fri., Dec. 9 2011 at 1:36 PM

Categories: Concert Preview

Photo By Tim Holek

Celebrated bluesman George "Mojo" Buford had a long and storied musical life.

He was born in Hernado, Mississippi in 1929, and later relocated to Chicago in 1952 to form the Savage Boys, an outfit that would eventually become known as the Muddy Waters, Jr. Band. Buford was an accomplished blues harmonica player, and would frequently lend his talents to Muddy's band throughout the '50s, '60s, and '70s. He moved to Minneapolis to start his own band in 1962, earning the nickname 'Mojo' since audiences everywhere would clamor for his version of Waters' smash hit, "Got My Mojo Working."

Buford sadly passed away in October at the age of 81, without money enough to afford his own funeral. This Sunday, the Minnesota Blues Society is putting on a star-studded Tribute to and Benefit for Mojo Buford at St. Paul's Wilebski's Blues Saloon.

Buford recorded some of his own albums for the Mr. Blues label, as well as the renowned British blues label, JSP Records, but he will always be most famous for his superb work with Waters. His passing has not only saddened his family, but also placed quite a financial burden on them, and this benefit is not only a tribute to Buford and his music, but it's also a fundraiser to help ease the economic strain on his family.

Starting at 2:00 p.m. this Sunday at Wilebski Blues Saloon in St. Paul, family, friends, and fellow musicians will gather to pay tribute to George 'Mojo' Buford. The partial list of performers is quite a formidable collection of bluesmen themselves, who no doubt will honor and celebrate the life and music of Mojo Buford. And yes, of course there will be a jam!

Curt Obeda with Members of the Butanes
Willie Murphy
Dan Schwalbe with members of the Rough Cuts
Jeremy Johnson
Steve Vonderharr
John Franken
Robb Henry
Mick McCormick with members of the Barking Ducks
Bill Black

Harold Tremblay
Maurice Jacox
Marty Bryduck
Dave "Cool Breeze" Brown
Steve Clarke

More information on the benefit can be found on the event's Facebook page.

For everyone who cannot attend but would still like to help out Buford's family, a non-profit account has been set up for people to contribute any dontation, no matter the size.

You can make a check out to "George Mojo Buford Benefit Memorial" and send to the

George Mojo Buford Benefit Memorial
c/o Elizabeth Markoe
668 Viking Dr. E
Maplewood, MN 55117

Rest in peace, Mojo. And may your music and spirit always live on.