One act came from France and the other from Phoenix, but they both proved to be outstanding at this year’s International Blues Challenge finals, which took place May 9th in Memphis’ historic Orpheum Theatre.

The Wacky Jugs, representing France Blues, left Memphis with a first-place finish in the Band Division, while T.C. Carter Band took home the Gibson Guitar Award for Best Band Guitarist (Piedmont Blues Preservation Society.) Eric Ramsey from the Phoenix Blues Society triumphed in the Solo/Duo Division and also took home the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award.

After the cancelation of two festival seasons due to Covid-19, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell made a triumphant return, as 475,000 festivalgoers attended the event over seven days and two weekends, Festival organizers announced today.

“Jazz Fest fans make the Festival come to life,” said Quint Davis, Producer/Director of the event. “Thanks to everyone who was in that number. This was Jazz Fest at its very best.”

Following the recent announcement of their ambitious new 4-album studio and film project, I Am The Moon, Tedeschi Trucks Band has unveiled the dates for their highly-anticipated annual return to New York’s Beacon Theatre this fall.  The 12-piece, rock and soul collective led by singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks will play seven nights in New York City - September 29 & 30; October 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8.

One of the most ground-breaking, original, and fearless figures of popular music was undoubtedly the legendary Frank Zappa. And paying tribute to his late icon is The Zappa Band – a group largely comprised of former members of Frank’s bands. And for the first time ever, the group (who had previously opened a string of shows for prog greats King Crimson) will be headlining their own tour for much of June – beginning in New York on the 12th, and then wrapping up in New Hampshire on the 26th.
 

GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Billy Strings performed three sold-out shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium this past weekend with special surprise guests Bryan Sutton (Friday), Bob Weir (Saturday and Sunday) and Les Claypool, Marty Stuart and Ronnie McCoury (Sunday).

Three-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, musician and activist Fantastic Negrito (neé Xavier Dphrepaulezz) is unafraid to call it like it is—to deliver the painful truth to our ears and let it soak into our eyes. Today, Fantastic Negrito delivers “They Go Low,” the fourth and final pre-release single off his forthcoming visual album White Jesus Black Problems, out June 3 via Storefront Records.