We are sad to learn of the passing of West Virginia blues artist Nat Reese.  He died Friday, June 8, 2012 at age 88.

Nat was on faculty at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival the last couple of years, representing the rich regional songster tradition, combining blues, swing, folk songs and standards into a well-rounded repertoire. He possessed a great voice, solid guitar technique and a charismatic stage presence.

Nat began playing the guitar as a young man and performed in various string bands throughout the coalfield areas of Virginia. He later became the leader of the Starlight Gospel Singers before teaming up with fiddler Howard Armstrong. He recorded a number of albums and occasionally toured Europe.

In 2009 he was inducted in the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He most recently collaborated with Phil Wiggins and an album by the pairing has been recorded and will hopefully be released soon.

To read an in depth interview with this great musician visit: (http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/reese.htm).

(Photo by Roz Powell)