Hudson Whittaker (born Hudson Woodbridge, January 8, 1903 – March 19, 1981), known as Tampa Red, was an American Chicago blues musician.
He is best known as a blues guitarist who had a distinctive single-string slide style. His songwriting and his bottleneck technique influenced other leading Chicago blues guitarists, such as Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Nighthawk and Muddy Waters, and many others, including Elmore James and Mose Allison. In a career spanning over 30 years, he also recorded pop, R&B and hokum songs. His best-known recordings include “Anna Lou Blues”, “Black Angel Blues”, “Crying Won’t Help You”, “It Hurts Me Too”, and “Love Her with a Feeling”.
instruments played
Guitar
kazoo
Piano
Slide
Vocals
Also Known As
Hudson Whittaker
Associated Acts
Thomas A. Dorsey Ma Rainey Frankie Jaxon Blind John Davis Big Maceo Merriweather Sonny Boy Williamson I Little Johnny Jones Big Walter Horton Sonny Boy Williamson II
Birth Name
Hudson Woodbridge
Genres
Chicago blues, hokum
Labels
Vocalion Bluebird RCA Victor
Years Active
1920s 1960s
Name
Tampa Red
Nationality
United States of America