Wilbert A. Crosby is a guitarist, producer and music instructor who was born and still resides in Chicago, IL. Crosby has had the opportunity to perform and record with Pops Staples, Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, Charlélie Couture, Carey Bell and Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater among many others.

He has possessed a deep love for Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Soul and Funk music his entire life. His father was a local tenor saxophone player in Chicago back in the 1950’s and his godfather was Howlin’ Wolf’s drummer: S.P. Leary, one of the architects of Chicago Blues drumming.  Crosby was surrounded by legendary artists from birth. By the time he was 10 years old he was playing guitar with his father’s band during rehearsals.

Wilbert continued to develop his gift through performance, academic studies, and mentorship. His mentors include Wayne Bennett, Mighty Joe Young, Gregory Washington, Otis Rush, and Cash McCall. These apprenticeships deepened his understanding of music and improvisation.

In 1983, Wilbert began playing with Pops Staples and went on his first international tour. It was these tours that prepared the young Crosby for his life as a touring musician.

Adept at composition, Wilbert has composed and arranged for other artists, including harmonica master Carey Bell. Out of this collaboration came the critically acclaimed album, “Good Luck Man” (1997). The album won Best Traditional Blues Album at the W.C. Handy Awards (now The Blues Awards). Wilbert also garnered the Albert King award with Matt Skollar’s band in 1996 held by The Blues Awards. He also performed at the White House during the Clinton and Bush administrations.  He performed the Grammy awarded song, “Have A Little Faith” with Mavis Staples at the 2005 Grammy Awards.  Additionally, he played with Pops Staples at the 1995 Grammy’s in an all-star jam with Bonnie Raitt, Phil Upchurch, WahWah Watson, Isaac Hayes & Maria Muldaur.

As mentorship was such a significant force in shaping Wilbert as an artist and human being, he is now dedicated to mentoring teenage musicians when he is off the road. For 10 years he has been an instructor at the The Chicago West Community Music Center teaching underprivileged youth using the Berklee Pulse Music Method. He has transformed the lives and launched the careers of many aspiring musicians from (his own neighborhood) Chicago’s underserved West Side. Wilbert has worked with the Southland High Schoolers for many of their recorded performances.  He also has private students as well.

In addition, Wibert played with Aretha Franklin from 2013 until her untimely death in 2018. He has recorded with George Benson and he currently plays guitar for the BB King Band featuring Tito Jackson. He played on the soundtrack for the Movie Respect.

For over four decades Wilbert has toured nationally, internationally and of course throughout Chicagoland, mesmerizing audiences with his pristine technique, dynamic stage presence and Blues drenched sound. His music knowledge encompasses the spectrum of America’s Black music genres keeping him in high demand.

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