Some musicians find the blues. Kenny Neal was born into it.

His official biography calls him one of the strongest modern voices of Baton Rouge swamp blues, and the family tree explains why. His father, harmonica player Raful Neal, was a fixture on the Baton Rouge blues scene, and his circle included Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo. According to the bio, Harpo gave Kenny his first harmonica when the boy was 3.

Neal was born in New Orleans on Oct. 14, 1957, and he started young. By 13 he was playing in his father's band, and at 17 he landed a job playing bass for Buddy Guy. Music ran through the whole family. Kenny put several of his siblings together as the Neal Brothers Blues Band in Toronto before coming back to the States, and several other Neal brothers have played in bands of their own.

His recording career took off in 1987, when he cut his debut album with Florida producer Bob Greenlee. Kingsnake Records first released it as Bio on the Bayou. A year later, Alligator Records signed Neal and reissued the album under a title that put his hometown front and center: Big News from Baton Rouge!! He recorded four albums for Alligator between 1989 and 1994, built on stinging guitar, sturdy harmonica and a gravelly voice.

Neal's talents also took him to Broadway. In 1991 he appeared in a production of Mule Bone, performing acoustic versions of Langston Hughes poems set to music by Taj Mahal.

He's still recording and touring. His album Straight From The Heart came out May 22, 2022, with tracks including Blues Keep Chasing Me, Louise Ana and Bon Temp Rouler. His website currently lists a Jan. 14, 2027, date on The Big Easy Cruise, sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

To dig into the Baton Rouge blues sound, start with Big News from Baton Rouge!! and work forward. Upcoming dates are posted at kennynealmusic.com.