Joanna Connor at Jimmy’s

Joanna Connor is a powerhouse blues guitarist and vocalist whose fiery slide guitar and soulful voice have earned her a global following. Raised in Worcester, MA, she was inspired early by artists like Louis Armstrong and Buddy Guy. At 17, she began performing professionally, and by 1984, she had moved to Chicago to immerse herself in the blues scene, calling it her “university.” There, she played alongside legends like Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, and Buddy Guy. Her 1990 debut Believe It launched a career that includes over a dozen albums, international tours, and viral performances that reignited her fanbase. In 2021, she topped the Billboard Blues Chart with 4801 South Indiana, produced by Joe Bonamassa. Her latest project with her band, The Wrecking Crew 23′, is a bold, all-original record released through Gulf Coast Records. “Music chose me,” says Joanna “and the blues world is better for it.”