You know Selwyn Birchwood right? He won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis held by The Blues Foundation. Here’s the page on the Blues Foundation website announcing it.
If you don’t know Selwyn, he’s a young, 33 year-old, blues guitarist out of Tampa. He’s been around for a few years and working his way up. He had a great year and in 2014 he won the International Blues Challenge (IBC).
Selwyn Birchwood wins IBC Albert King Award and This Gibson Guitar
He also won the Albert King “Best Guitarist” award in the competition that year, and got himself the Gibson 335 you see in this picture as well as a Category 5 amp.
Yes 2014 a good year for our local boy here in Tampa Florida, Selwyn Birchwood.
So we all were eagerly awaiting his show at the Palladium Sidedoor venue on March 23rd of that year. This is one of the best places to see an artist perform. The room only holds about 150 people and if you can get close to the stage you can see some great players “up close and personal.” And the sound is always good. I mad a video of Southern Hospitality there a couple of months ago and the video and show came out great.
And the always interesting Steve Arvey and his Delta Swamp Rats opened the show. Videos here.
And Selwyn’s show that night did not disappoint. The band was hot and the crowd was with him. It was the first time I got to really hear Selwyn doing his thing, so I do admit I was anxious to see what all the talk was about. Like I said… he did not disappoint.
And about the band…
The fact is, that without his band Selwyn might not be doing as well as he is. They are clearly the cream of the crop when it comes to blues musicians. And it’s obvious they are older and wiser than Selwyn when it comes to the blues. I’m sure they’ve been a big part of his education and a big reason for his success. The band includes Huff Wright on bass, Curtis Nutall on drums, and Reggie Oliver on baritone sax. This band is truly special
But again, you be the judge.
Selwyn Birchwood Today
Since winning the IBC back in 2014, Selwyn has been working hard to take advantage of that win. He tours nationally and gets nominated in various categories at the Blues Music Awards pretty much every year. In 2024 he was nominated in two categories—”Song of the Year”. “Band of the year” and “Contemporary Blues Male Artist.” He has several albums out now too. Here’s where you can find him on Spotify.
Here’s Selwyn’s website if you’d like to learn more about him and catch his next show.
