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Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, better known under stage name Taj Mahal, is American blues icon, a self-taught singer-songwriter and musician who plays multiple instruments including the guitar, piano, banjo, and harmonica. Born in Harlem, New York in 1942, Mahal grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. In his early age Henry Jr. developed an interest in African music. He began classical piano lessons and also studied the clarinet, trombone and harmonica. In college he led a rhythm and blues band and once he moved to Santa Monica, California in 1964 he formed Rising Sons with fellow blues rock musician Ry Cooder and Jessie Lee Kincaid. Since that time he developed strong international career as a blues and root music artist.
In 2014, Taj Mahal received the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement award.
