A blues guitarist who infused his style with musical influences from Africa, the
Caribbean and Latin America, Taj Mahal helped pioneer world music while
rejuvenating the roots and traditions of American folk music. Born Henry Saint
Clair Fredericks in New York City (May 17, 1942), he soaked up a love of music
from his jazz pianist father and gospel singing mother before taking up the
guitar as a 13-year-old and forming a doo-wop group. Naming himself Taj Mahal
after dreams he had of Gandhi and India, he formed R&B act The Rising Sons with
Ry Cooder and went on to work with Howlin...