Glenn Kaiser

    Glenn Kaiser

    Also credited as Glenn Kaiser and Friends, Kaiser

    Chicago, Illinois19 reviews across 11 releases

    acousticbluesblues rockgospel blues
    DiscogsBandcampFacebook

    Glenn Kaiser is a Chicago-based Christian blues musician and pastor who came out of Milwaukee's Jesus People movement before joining the Jesus People USA community in the early 1970s. He helped establish Resurrection Band, whose hard-rock approach carried a strong blues influence. His solo work made the roots more explicit. Trimmed and Burnin' in 1990 used sparse acoustic arrangements shaped by early blues, while Slow Burn, recorded with Darrell Mansfield, gave Kaiser's songwriting a looser and more personal setting. By Spontaneous Combustion in 1994, he had moved to amplified Chicago blues, using electric guitar with horns, organ and gospel backing. Kaiser's rough voice suited both the worn edges of the music and lyrics centered on Christian faith, human trouble and devotion.

    Resurrection Band ended after more than 25 years, although former members later appeared together for occasional festival performances. Kaiser continued as a solo musician and formed the three-piece Glenn Kaiser Band, which focused on blues performance. His later work kept moving between traditional blues, worship music and rhythm and blues rather than settling into one format. He also remained active within Jesus People USA as a pastor and speaker. Solo recording continued into the 2000s and beyond, including collaborations and live appearances. Kaiser remains a living Chicago-based musician whose career extends from the early Jesus People movement through ongoing blues work.

    11 releases reviewed