Billy Branch's non-traditional path to the blues has made him a fixture in Chicago's blues scene. He learned to play from such stalwart harmonica players like: Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell. His big break came in 1975 during a harmonica battle when he beat Chicago legend, Little Mac Simmons at the Green Bunny Club. Branch eventually replaced Carey Bell and worked with the legendary Willie Dixon for six years. Billy is also passing on the blues tradition to a new generation through his Blues In The Schools program. He is a dedicated blues educator and has taught in the Chicago school system for over twenty years as part of the Urban Gateways Project.