Grammy nominated blues-soul singer Candice Ivory wraps the blues standard “Catfish Blues” in a new groove (Feat. Jimmy Duck Holmes)

 Grammy nominated blues-soul singer Candice Ivory wraps the blues standard “Catfish Blues” in a new groove, (Feat. Jimmy Duck Holmes)

forthcoming album ‘New Southern Vintage,’ out September 12th on Nola Blue Records
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​Grammy-nominated blues-soul singer Candice Ivory brings a fresh, hypnotic groove to the classic blues standard “Catfish Blues.” Reimagined with a rhythmic sway and anchored by rich piano trills, soulful harmonica, and expressive vocals from both Ivory and Holmes, the track is raw, gritty, and emotionally immediate it grabs you from the first note. This is far from the original version; it’s a bold reinterpretation. Ivory showcases her versatility by transforming the song into something entirely her own, with standout performances by Ben Levin on piano, Damion “Yella P” Pearson on harmonica, and Holmes on understated guitar.
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The accompanying music video features original artwork by Ivory, a visual extension of her artistic vision she describes as “Southern Surrealism.” Saturated with bold, vivid colors, the lyrics are interwoven into fluid shapes and forms. Influenced by the conceptual legacy of John Cage, Ivory employs “prepared canvases,” layering mixed media acrylic and permanent marker onto canvas and board. The figures in her work reflect the spirit of Southern life and embody the narrative heart of “Catfish Blues.”
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​Candice Ivory opens up about the inspiration behind her forthcoming album, New Southern Vintage:

“New Southern Vintage is a tribute to the deep roots of Southern folk traditions and the trailblazers who shaped them especially the women and men who’ve inspired me most,” Ivory shares. “Blues legend Memphis Minnie, with songs like ‘World of Trouble’ and ‘Shout the Boogie,’ is one of my guiding lights. And my great-uncle, Will Roy Sanders frontman of The Fieldstones, one of Memphis’s greatest blues bands of the ’70s and ’80s—was another major influence. His song ‘I’m in Trouble’ is part of this album’s heartbeat.”

The record also brings together a remarkable mix of living blues icons and fresh new voices. Among the veterans are Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, torchbearer of the Bentonia school of Mississippi blues guitar, and respected folk-blues scholars and musicians David Evans and Andrew Cohen.

“But blues is a living, evolving art form—both timeless and contemporary,” Ivory says. “That’s why I’ve invited some extraordinary younger artists to join me on this journey. Longtime collaborator Robert Allen Parker, Public Enemy’s Khari Wynn, and my Memphis-based band the Blue Bloods all contribute to the album. You’ll also hear Ben Levin, Damian ‘Yella P’ Pearson, and Chris Stephenson. Plus, a few international guests—Jan Hartmann, Antonio Vergara, Takuto Asano, and Yubu Kazungu whose voices blend beautifully with the Southern soul of this record. It’s proof that no matter how far the blues travels, it always finds its way back home.”

The album’s lead single, “Catfish Blues,” arrives alongside a visually arresting stop-motion video that combines Ivory’s music and visual art. Known for her self-described “Southern Surrealism,” the video features her original mixed-media works, interwoven with the lyrics and textures of the song.

“The use of stop-motion felt like the perfect way to fuse Candice’s visual and musical artistry,” says Sallie Bengtson, President of Nola Blue Records. “This project is a powerful expression of creative synergy, and we’re thrilled to kick off preorders for New Southern Vintage with such a captivating piece.”

An internationally recognized vocalist, composer, and recording artist, Candice Ivory was selected for Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead residency at the Kennedy Center at just 18. She studied voice and composition at New York’s New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and began performing as a teenager on Memphis’s iconic Beale Street with blues and jazz legends like Billy Gibson, Calvin Newborn, and Charlie Wood. She has released three acclaimed albums: Path: Undefined (2003), Questography (2005), and When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie (2023).
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In 2025, she is a Blues Music Award nominee and will be honored by the Jus’ Blues Foundation with the prestigious Millie Jackson Classy & Sassy Award.