Born in Virginia, and inspired by his Southern black heritage, Tevis Hodge Jr. began playing blues at the age of 12, though he first started guitar at the age of six.  With a deep love for Black American music, Hodge is compelled to bring the traditions of his heritage to life.

Well-versed in multiple blues idioms such as the Piedmont, Delta, Texas, urban and country blues styles, he also dips into jazz, jug band, folk and even old-timey novelty tunes. Hodge’s repertoire is an eclectic mix while his performance oozes with originality and passion. Adding his own flare to the songs he covers, he seamlessly presents originals that can mingle with the classics and stay true to the source. 

At the age of 13, Hodge started to gravitate to performing at school events, open mics, and on the street. With a considerable amount of experience for his age, Hodge has enjoyed a career opening for acts ranging from Robert Cray to Living Colour, and performing onstage with such acts as Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary,) vaudeville legend Baby Gramps, “Boogie-Cat” Norman Sylvester, guitar virtuoso Mary Flower and soul extraordinaire Ural Thomas to name a few. Hodge placed as a solo semi-finalist in the 2014 International Blues Challenge and has had great reception at festivals, fairs, markets, clubs, vineyards and venues alike.

Catch Tevis Hodge Jr. performing with Johnny Ward on the Rock the Boat Blues Cruise (Sunday, July 7), benefiting Meals on Wheels People. In this special set, Hodge teams up with Johnny Ward, the notorious elder statesman of Portland’s blues and jazz scene. A harmonica ace, vocalist, saxophonist and band leader in his own right, Ward previously appeared at Waterfront Blues Festival with his 9-piece Sharkskin Revue, and jug band, The Eagle Riding Papas. Ward’s Johnny & the Jokers was one of the handful of Portland acts featured at the original ‘87 Rose City Blues Festival that gave birth to the Waterfront Blues Festival.