Biography

Considered one of the finest contemporary Americana and blues artists around, singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist Peter Karp has carved out his own unique niche. At once funny, poignant, irreverent, romantic and always true to life, Karp’s compositions reflect his own intriguing backstory. Raised both in the swamps of New Jersey and rural trailer parks in southern Alabama, Karp masterfully crafts music fueled with a Yankee-Rebel juxtaposition by infusing genuine emotion, humor and candor in a setting of exquisitely performed rhythms and compelling vocalization. As a songwriter Karp first garnered national attention and critical acclaim through his collaboration with guitarist Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones who recorded and toured with Karp on his first label release, The Turning Point. His next national release on Blind Pig Records, Shadows and Cracks, has Karp sharing the main stage with the venerable Delbert McClinton, New Orleans-based roots rock band, The Subdudes, and three-time Grammy winner, blues great Keb Mo. Karp’s unmistakable lyrical style, consummate handling of the slide guitar and his propensity for dynamic performances have made him a remarkably rare talent in American roots music.

"Guys like Peter Karp, James Taylor and Bob Dylan embody Americana Blues and U.S. English guys are inspired by it. It was a great night of music.”-Mick Taylor - The Rolling Stones

"Peter Karp should be a lot better known than he is. It's tempting to say he combines John Prine's wordplay, Joe Ely's rocking instincts, Billy Joe Shaver's fatalistic outlook, Tim McGraw's good looks, and an expressive tenor that combines the fire of a young Steve Earle and the lazy drawl of Mose Allison, but that wouldn't be right. Karp is his own man, an artist who blends roots music styles into something that combines and transcends blues, country, rock, honky-tonk, R& B, swamp, swing, and jazz.“– All Music Guide

"Contemporary American roots music at its finest. Karp is a diamond in the rough."
- Sing Out!