Jed Potts

Jed Potts is a Scottish blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter from Edinburgh. He is best known as the frontman of the blues trio Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters, and is also co-founder of the rock duo Under-Volt. Active since the late 2000s, Potts has gained recognition in the UK blues scene for his authentic 1950s/60s-inspired electric blues style and dynamic guitar playing. He has released multiple albums with his band, collaborated with international blues artists, and is regarded as a leading figure in contemporary Scottish blues.

Early Life

Potts grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, and began playing guitar at the age of 9. Although his parents were not musicians, they exposed him to a wide range of music and took him to live concerts from an early age. As a child he attended blues shows by legends like B.B. King and Robert Cray, experiences which sparked his passion for the blues. By his mid-teens, Potts was performing live; he played his first gig at age 16 and immersed himself in Edinburgh's blues scene thereafter. Potts has described blues as his musical “first language,” noting that the genre influences everything he plays.

Musical Career

Formation of The Hillman Hunters (2008–2017)

In 2008, Potts formed Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters, an electric blues trio based in Edinburgh. The band's lineup features Potts on guitar and vocals, with Charlie Wild on bass and Jonny Christie on drums. In its early years the group built a reputation performing classic blues covers and originals in clubs and festivals across Scotland. Their sound paid homage to 1950s and ’60s American blues greats – “from Freddie King to Howlin’ Wolf” – delivered with youthful energy and passion. Over the next decade the Hillman Hunters played major events like the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (often to sold-out crowds) and opened for renowned blues acts including Ian Siegal, the Nimmo Brothers, and The Hoax.

By 2017, Potts and his band had become integral to the Scottish blues circuit, known for “supplying only the deepest of grooves and the rudest of shuffles” in their live shows. In 2015 Potts earned an opportunity to broaden his experience abroad: he was selected for an Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival exchange project that sent him, along with Scottish blues veteran Sandy Tweeddale, to the United States to scout talent. During that trip Potts met American blues harmonica player Brandon Santini, sparking a transatlantic collaboration. Potts would later appear as a guest guitarist on Santini's album The Longshot (recorded in Memphis in 2018), which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Blues Chart upon its release in 2019. Around the same period, Potts also performed with other notable artists – for instance, he joined acclaimed Scottish vocalist Maggie Bell on stage as part of an expanded lineup of the band Blues ’n’ Trouble.

Debut Album and Collaborations (2018–2019)

Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters released their self-titled debut album in 2018. The record featured a mix of vintage blues covers from the 1950s/60s alongside the band's original songs. The album earned positive reviews in the blues press; Blues in Britain magazine hailed it as “sensational,” praising the trio's authentic approach and noting the young band's growing reputation beyond Scotland. That same year, Blues Matters magazine spotlighted Potts and his group as rising talent in a “Blue Bloods” feature on new blues artists. Potts continued to gig extensively following the album release, solidifying his presence on the UK blues scene. In early 2019, he traveled to the U.S. to join Brandon Santini for the latter's album sessions, contributing guitar work to The Longshot. The album's success and critical reception further raised Potts's international profile, leading to repeat collaborations – including a U.S. tour with Santini in early 2020.

In addition to his work with the Hillman Hunters, Potts has been involved in various side projects and collaborations. He was a long-time member of the Edinburgh ensemble The Blueswater, an award-winning rhythm & blues band known for high-energy shows (often performing multiple gigs per day during the Edinburgh Fringe festival). He has also played with funk/jazz collective The Katet and frequently performs in duet with Edinburgh blues singer Nicole Smit. These collaborations showcase Potts's versatility, though he maintains that “the blues is always there” in his playing, regardless of genre.

“Talkin’ Apollo 13 Blues” and New Directions (2020–present)

In April 2020, Potts released a solo single titled “Talkin’ Apollo 13 Blues,” a tribute marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 moon mission. The track adopted a storytelling “talking blues” format in the folk-blues tradition, with Potts performing solo on acoustic guitar. Talkin’ Apollo 13 Blues” garnered attention beyond the UK; one publication noted that Potts “gained international recognition” for the innovative tribute song. Following this success, Potts refocused on developing original material for his trio. During the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters wrote and recorded a series of new songs, moving away from their earlier reliance on blues standards. The band began releasing these as singles—starting with “Where's Your Man” in late 2020 and “Swashbucklin’” in early 2021—signaling a fresh creative phase centered on Potts's songwriting.

In mid-2022, the Hillman Hunters signed with the Edinburgh-based label Wasted State Records to prepare their second album. The resulting album, Swashbucklin’, was released on 28 October 2022 and comprised nine original tracks (including the previously released singles). This sophomore record marked the band's first collection of exclusively original compositions, highlighting Potts's growth as a songwriter. Swashbucklin’ was well received in the blues community and gained notable radio airplay – BBC Radio 2 presenter Cerys Matthews featured the band's music on her blues show, introducing the Hillman Hunters’ retro-styled sound to a national audience. Around the same time, Potts expanded his musical ventures by forming Under-Volt, a heavy riff-driven blues-rock duo with drummer Vini Bonnar. Under-Volt released its debut album, Let's Just Go, in spring 2023 on Wasted State Records. Potts now splits his time between fronting the Hillman Hunters – who continue to tour UK venues and blues festivals – and performing with Under-Volt, while also remaining an active figure in Edinburgh's live music scene.

Discography

Albums

• Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters (2018) – Debut album (self-released).
• Swashbucklin’ (2022) – Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters (Wasted State Records).
• Let's Just Go (2023) – Under-Volt (Wasted State Records).

Singles and EPs

• Talkin’ Apollo 13 Blues (2020) – digital single (solo release). (Note: Several singles released by Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters in 2020–2021 – including “Where's Your Man,” “Swashbucklin’,” and “It Won't Be Long” – were later collected on the 2022 Swashbucklin’ album.)*

Style and Influences

Potts's musical style is rooted firmly in classic blues. He draws primary influence from mid-century American blues pioneers, emulating the electric Chicago and Texas blues sounds of artists like Freddie King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Critics have described his guitar playing and tone as authentically retro – his band “make music inspired by 50s and 60s American greats” yet deliver it with a “fresh and young twist”. Potts's early exposure to blues through concerts by B.B. King and Robert Cray helped instill in him a deep appreciation for the genre's traditions. He has cited blues as the foundation of his technique, saying he can't help but infuse blues feeling into everything he performs.

While honoring old-school influences, Potts also brings a modern energy and songwriting approach to his music. His work with the Hillman Hunters blends vintage-style shuffles and grooves with original lyrics and arrangements, earning the band praise for balancing tradition and innovation. On stage, the trio is known for “gritty blues played with passion and power” and for improvisational interplay reminiscent of classic blues jam bands. In the studio, Potts often favors live recording techniques – tracking songs with the full band playing together – to capture the raw spontaneity of their sound. This philosophy, he argues, adds “excitement” through the slight rough edges and “mic spill” of a live performance, as opposed to the polished, overdub-heavy production common in modern recordings.

Potts's versatility within the blues genre is evident in his projects. With the Hillman Hunters he primarily channels electric blues and rock’n’roll, but he has also explored acoustic and folk-blues forms. The single “Talkin’ Apollo 13 Blues” exemplified his ability to adopt a storytelling folk-blues style popularized by artists like Woody Guthrie. In heavier outlets like Under-Volt, he incorporates riff-driven rock elements, yet his blues-based phrasing remains a defining feature. This blend of authenticity and adaptability has led publications to regard Potts as “one of the premier bluesmen” in Scotland's contemporary scene.

Awards and Recognitions

Though early in his career, Jed Potts has received several accolades and media recognitions in the blues community. In 2018, Blues Matters magazine featured him and the Hillman Hunters in a special “Blue Bloods” column highlighting promising new blues artists. That same year, Blues in Britain lauded the band's debut album as a “sensational” release confirming their growing reputation nationally. Potts's 2020 release “Talkin’ Apollo 13 Blues” attracted international notice, with American Blues Scene magazine calling it an innovative work that earned him worldwide recognition.

Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters have since enjoyed national radio exposure; tracks from Swashbucklin’ were played on BBC Radio 2's blues programming courtesy of host Cerys Matthews. The album was also listed among the eligible releases for the 2023 Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, reflecting its impact within Scotland's music scene.

Over the years, Potts and his band have performed at numerous festivals across the UK (including Edinburgh, York, and Aberdeen Jazz & Blues Festivals) and have been invited to support well-known blues acts – achievements that underscore their standing in the live circuit. While as of yet Potts has not won formal awards like the UK Blues Awards, his contributions have been recognizsed by blues publications and audiences alike as helping to “keep the blues alive” with a new generation