Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. In 2007, singer Dave Howard took over the vocal duties, bringing his gritty and soulful vocals and adding another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor.

Musselwhite’s version of the blues ventures far beyond conventional honky-tonk - this is raw, passionate music from a howlin’ blues legend who’s still invigorated by a youthful spirit. It’s Charlie’s mix of wild country abandon seasoned by years of playing urban electric blues in Chicago. Robben Ford is one of the premiere electric guitarists today, particularly known for his blues playing as well as his ability to be comfortable in a variety of musical contexts.

The Hot Club of Cowtown has grown to be the most globe-trotting, hard-swinging Western Swing trio on the planet. Today, after a two-year hiatus, the Hot Club of Cowtown has resumed touring and recording in anticipation of a forthcoming release in the Fall of 2008. The band--Elana James on violin and vocals, Whit Smith on guitar and vocals, and Jake Erwin on bass and vocals--still swings harder than ever as it continues to develop it’s unique, ever-changing sound. This journey, which began with the roots of the Hot Jazz era, Americana music, vintage pop and folk music and continues to unfold into the new sound of the group’s original songs.

The celebrated singer Mahogany comes to town to pay tribute to Kansas City blues legend Big Joe Turner, and the comparison is hardly a stretch. Mahogany hails from the same city, radiates the same larger-than-life persona, seduces with the same silky baritone. He even played a Turner-inspired character on the big screen a decade ago. Mahogany is a rare vocalist who “pumps some welcome new blood into a tradition desperately in need of a transfusion.” - Washington Post

Best known for his work in Prince's Revolution, saxophonist Eric Leeds goes far beyond jazz foundations, taking elements from hard rock and pop. Having been a key member of Prince side projects, The Family and Madhouse, Leeds has also shared the stage with James Brown and George Clinton. He also has a body of solo work that is bold and diverse, melding rock and pop elements with funk and Latin beats.
Trumpeter Brian Lynch is one of the most respected bebop and Latin players in the business. Lynch got his start in New York with the Horace Silver Quintet, and also appeared in the final lineup of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Currently he works with Eddie Palmieri's Afro-Caribbean Jazz group as well as producing a body of solo work that places him among the elite post-bop stylists of today.

Toure grew up on the Senegal River, the southern border of Mauritania. This fecund intersection of pan-African cultures gave Toure a broad palate of early musical experiences. Moving to Paris exposed him to very different musical worlds, notably American pop andfusion. Toure has taken these unique experiences to form a musical language all his own. With vocals in five languages, the BBC called Taure's music "a glorious fusion" of African and European elements and " a testament to the power of music to transcend linguistic barriers." With vocals in five languages, the BBC called the album "a glorious fusion" of African and European elements and "a testament to the power of music to transcend linguistic barriers.

“One of the unique qualities of Lou’s work is that he incorporates a great deal of the whole jazz tradition in his playing. He’s listened to just about everyone, and not only alto players. With this knowledge of the entire jazz language, Lou is definitely an individual voice.”- HORACE PARLAN
“ Donaldson has a dazzling technique and at his best is a strong, inventive, expressive player.” - LAWRENCE KOCH
Alto saxophonist and singer, Lou has played with Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Clifford Brown and Horace Silver. His early work for Blue Note showed his impressive mastery of the bop style, until he began to develop his own distinctive approach—a bluesy, soulful sound that used organ and guitar as an essential foundation for his sax playing.

"Mr. Pizzarelli is innately cool, sly and playful in the mode of his biggest influence, Nat King Cole." - New York Times
John Pizzarelli is a preternaturally talented guitarist with a voice as silky as his solos, his performances steeped in cool jazz and the Great American Songbook. He gets the Nat King Cole comparisons quite a bit, and they're fair, but after a career that's spanned nearly three decades and over twenty acclaimed recordings as a bandleader, it's time to offer a modest proposal: Pizzarelli is, well, Pizzarelli - a jazz legend in his own right.
Pizzarelli is touring in support of his latest acclaimed record, "Dear Mr. Sinatra," an album of the legendary singer's favorite tunes and some overlooked gems.
" A strumming that gets you humming with buttery vocals that are beyond smooth." - The Journal News

Johnny Reno’s band is swingin’! In his words, “we’re gonna swing like Frank, we’re gonna drink like Dean-o, we’re gonna party like Barney Fife.” Take the classic organ/sax/guitar combo sounds of Blue Note Records from the 50’s and 60’s, throw in some classic Sinatra and Bobby Darin vocals and you’ve got the swinging cocktail jazz sounds of Johnny Reno and the Lounge Kings. “With the sound of the Blue Note organ combos of Jimmy Smith, Groove Holms and Bill Davis having a renaissance,” Johnny explains, “I though, why not combine a little of the vocal style of Sinatra with the organ combo sound, and blend the styles for something a little different?”

James Brown was a hero across Africa, and his exuberant soulfunk anthems and calls for black pride had a massive influence on performers like Fela Kuti. So it was an inspired idea to present an African Tribute to his work, the legendary Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley have formed a pan-continental soul/funk supergroup with special guests Cheikh Lo and Vieux Farka Toure.