Jesse Fuller

The Profile

American one-man-band performer and songwriter, inventor of the fotdella, best known for the song "San Francisco Bay Blues" and for mid‑20th century recordings including Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals And Blues.

Invented the fotdella (a foot-operated bass instrument); performed as a one-man-band using guitar, harmonica, kazoo and fotdella; nicknamed "The Lone Cat"; recorded Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals And Blues (1958).

A 1958 album, Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals And Blues, is described by the reviewer as a formative and much-loved record. Jesse Fuller is presented as a distinctive one-man-band who invented the fotdella and played guitar, harmonica and kazoo. The review praises his personal interpretations of traditional material and highlights tracks such as Take This Hammer, Stagolee and Hesitation Blues.