Jesse Fuller

The Profile

Jesse Fuller (1896–1976) was an American one‑man‑band blues musician and songwriter, best known for “San Francisco Bay Blues” and for inventing the foot‑operated bass instrument he called the fotdella. He became widely known during the 1950s–60s folk revival.

Nicknamed “The Lone Cat”; American blues and folk‑blues one‑man band; inventor of the fotdella; signature song “San Francisco Bay Blues”; 1958 album Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals And Blues mixes traditional material with his distinctive performance style.

A passionate, five-star review celebrates Jesse Fuller’s 1958 album Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals And Blues. It highlights Fuller’s one‑man‑band setup—12‑string guitar, harmonica, kazoo, and the self‑invented fotdella—and his highly personal interpretations of traditional material. Noted tracks include Take This Hammer, 99 Years, Tiger Rag, Stagolee, and Hesitation Blues. The reviewer praises his sensitivity, vigor, and unique style.