Alexis Korner (1928-1984) was a pioneering British blues musician, singer, and songwriter. He is often credited with helping to bring blues music to a wider audience in the UK and beyond.

Korner was born in Paris, France to an Austrian Jewish father and a Greek mother. His family moved to London when he was young, and he grew up in a household that was passionate about music. He began playing the piano at a young age, and later took up the guitar.

In the early 1950s, Korner began performing in London clubs and bars, playing a mix of jazz, skiffle, and blues. He formed the band Blues Incorporated in 1961, which became an important part of the UK blues scene. The band's members included future Rolling Stones members Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and Jack Bruce, as well as saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith.

Korner was known for his deep, gravelly voice and his skill on the guitar, particularly the slide guitar. He recorded numerous albums over the course of his career, including "R&B from the Marquee" (1962), "Blues Incorporated" (1964), and "Alexis Korner and Friends" (1971).

In addition to his music, Korner was a passionate advocate for the blues, and he played an important role in popularizing the genre in the UK. He hosted a weekly radio show on the BBC called "Rhythm and Blues" and was a frequent collaborator with other musicians, including Cyril Davies, John Mayall, and Peter Green.

Korner continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, but his health began to decline in the mid-1980s. He died of lung cancer in 1984, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important figures in the UK blues scene.

• Alexis Korner - guitar/vocals
• Peter Thorup - vocals - b. Denmark.

1. "The New Church" (1970)

• Alexis Korner - guitar/vocals
• Peter Thorup - vocals
• ...various jazz musicians