Little Joe McLerran

The 28-year-old old wails the Piedmont blues, music generally mastered by people 40 years his senior. But don't let that fool you. His live show wins over audiences all over the place — indeed, the world — and merges ragtime, swing and jazz. Last year, he won the International Blues Challenge. This year, he recently returned from a four-country tour of the Middle East as part of the U.S. — sponsored "Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad" program.