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Albert Cummings’ journey to becoming one of today’s most respected blues guitarists didn’t follow the traditional path. Raised in Massachusetts, Cummings grew up around music, gravitating toward the banjo at age twelve. Bluegrass was his first musical passion, but everything changed when he discovered Stevie Ray Vaughan.While attending college in 1987, Cummings saw Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble perform live. The experience had a profound impact on him and inspired him to turn his attention back to the guitar – this time with an entirely different sense of purpose.
Music, however, wasn’t yet his career. Cummings studied building and construction at Wentworth Institute of Technology and went on to establish himself as a successful builder and master carpenter. He was already well into his twenties before he performed blues guitar publicly. At age 27, an impromptu opportunity to sit in with a band at a friend’s wedding helped set him on a second path – one that would eventually take him to stages around the world.
Cummings began performing throughout the Northeast with his band Swamp Yankee, quickly earning a reputation for his powerful guitar playing and energetic live performances. An appearance at a Northeast Blues Society open jam eventually led to the opportunity to compete in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in 1999. Around this period, Cummings and Swamp Yankee independently released The Long Way, introducing audiences to the combination of blues, rock and working-class storytelling that would become a hallmark of his music.
Then came a remarkable full-circle moment. The music of Stevie Ray Vaughan had inspired Cummings to pursue the electric guitar. Years later, Vaughan’s legendary rhythm section – bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton of Double Trouble – heard Cummings play and recognized something special. The two ultimately joined Cummings in Austin, Texas, to produce and perform on his breakthrough solo album, From the Heart. Keyboardist Reese Wynans also appeared on the recording.
Released in 2003, From the Heart introduced Cummings to a much wider blues audience and helped establish him as an artist in his own right. More importantly, working alongside the musicians who had once inspired him proved to be an invaluable education. What began with Cummings sitting in the audience watching Double Trouble had evolved into those same musicians becoming collaborators, mentors and friends.
His growing reputation caught the attention of respected blues label Blind Pig Records, beginning another important chapter in his career. True to Yourself followed in 2004, and Working Man arrived in 2006. The albums further developed Cummings’ muscular blend of blues and rock while his relentless touring established him as a formidable live performer.
Over the years that followed, Cummings continued to evolve without losing the authenticity at the center of his music. Albums including No Regrets, Someone Like You and Believe expanded his sound and audience, while his live shows remained the foundation of his career. His music carried the influence of artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King and Jimi Hendrix, but increasingly reflected a voice and guitar style unmistakably his own.
In 2022, Cummings released TEN, another milestone in his recording career. The 13-track album demonstrated his willingness to move beyond traditional blues boundaries, incorporating elements of rock, country and Americana. The project also featured Vince Gill on “Last Call.”
Two years later came one of the defining recordings of his career. Released February 16, 2024, through Cummings’ independent Ivy Music Company, Strong brought him together with Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge. Recorded at Nashville’s famed Ocean Way Recording Studio, the album blended blues, rock and soul with the raw emotion and guitar-driven energy that have defined Cummings’ career.
The album’s title seemed particularly fitting for an artist whose career had been built through persistence, independence and decades of life on the road. Strong delivered a career milestone, reaching #1 on Billboard’s Blues Album Sales Chart.
From a young banjo player in Massachusetts, to a builder who didn’t perform blues publicly until his late twenties, to recording alongside the musicians who first inspired him, Albert Cummings has built his career much the same way he approaches his music – with patience, craftsmanship and an uncompromising commitment to doing things his own way.
Today, Cummings stands as a seasoned guitarist, singer, songwriter and performer whose music bridges traditional blues and contemporary blues-rock. Yet after decades of recordings, international touring and a #1 Billboard album, the heart of what he does remains remarkably simple: pick up the guitar, connect with an audience, and play the music he loves.
Praise for Albert Cummings:
“[The Long Way (2000) is a] barrage of guitar pyrotechnics that calls to mind a grand mix of the styles of past masters like Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix.” – Bluesprint Magazine
“[On True To Yourself (2004)] he attacks his axe with unbridled ferocity and deep soulfulness…his depth and expression are matched only by his terrifying technique and tone.” – Guitar One
“This recording [Working Man (2006)] is the calling card of a blues star who has arrived. Cummings’ guitar work is sizzling. This is one of the top blues albums of 2006.” – Billboard
“Though Albert always walks a fine line between rock and blues, he demonstrates effortlessly [on the live recording, Feel So Good (2008)] that the blues makes everybody feel great.” – Bostonblues.com
“The blues is best served up live, with an enthusiastic audience and a killin’ band, and that’s exactly what guitarist Albert Cummings does on Feel So Good. Cummings effortlessly shifts from chimney subdued stylings to raucous roadhouse raunch to soaring yet stinging lead lines, driving his audience to frenzy in all the right places.” – Guitar Edge Magazine
“[Feel So Good is] one of the best live albums recorded in a long time.” – Music Connection
“Cummings’ first live album [Feel So Good] provides the perfect showcase for the fiery guitarist’s axe-handling skills and enormous onstage charisma.” – Blurt
“All the tracks on [No Regrets (2012)] pop with Cummings’ emotive style not just in terms of what he’s producing, slamming and bending his Strat’s six strings, but also in terms of where he pushes his simple yet soulful voice…That Stevie Ray tonality and combustion is not hard to hear in Cummings’ playing, but make no mistake—he’s not a Vaughan clone. Stylistically, compositionally, lyrically, and vocally he is very much a distinct entity.” – The Phantom Tollbooth
“[On Someone Like You (2017)] Albert gets into Robben Ford territory soloing effortlessly over the rhythm changes…these forays into jazz-blues are a real treat and leave the listener longing for more.” – Blues Rock Review
Ten (2022) “Cummings directs his strong vocals front-and-center, and it pays off.” — Blues Rock Review
Strong (2024) “Equally powerful vocals with masterful versatility and delivery.” — Blues Rock Review
“A master class in tense, terse playing.” — Rock & Blues Muse
“His muscular guitar work is simply outstanding.” — Rock & Blues Muse
“Cummings effortlessly shifts from subdued stylings to raucous roadhouse raunch to soaring yet stinging lead lines.” — Guitar Edge Magazine
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰!
𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬
Jimmy's features a full-service restaurant, and food is available for purchase at every performance.
• 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲: Dinner service begins as soon as doors open at 5:30pm.
• 𝐍𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝: Enjoy seamless full table service directly from your ticketed seat.
• 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞 & 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐬: Pair your meal with selections from our wine book—proud recipient of the Wine Spectator Award for four consecutive years (2023–2026).
• 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: Arrive early for a relaxed pre-show meal, or order food and drinks throughout the performance at your convenience. Kitchen service runs from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Arrive early, settle in, and let us make your evening exceptional!
𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 & 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬
Our Box Office is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM to assist you with ticket purchases and inquiries.
𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬:
• In Person: Visit us at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH
• By Phone: Call our Box Office at 888-603-5299 (ext. 1) to speak with a representative
• Online: Secure your tickets at jimmysoncongress.com
𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club only sells tickets through Ticketmaster and our official website. Tickets bought through third-party resellers are not guaranteed to be valid.
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦
Stay connected with daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, artist announcements, show highlights, and more.
Follow us: instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues
𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 & 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
Our 2026 concert schedule is live, and tickets are now available! From world-renowned jazz legends to rising stars across blues, soul, funk, and R&B, we have a packed year of unforgettable performances.
𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://jimmysoncongress.com/events/
𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
Give the gift of live music. Jimmy’s gift cards can be used toward any concert or food & beverage purchase.
You can purchase a gift card:
• Online at jimmysoncongress.com
• By Phone at 888-603-5299
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 – 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive:
• Early access to ticket sales
• New artist and show announcements
• Sunday Jazz Brunch updates
• Exclusive promotions and special event notices
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: www.jimmysoncongress.com/subscribe
𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲’𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩:
Want first access to tickets and special perks?
Join Jimmy’s Membership Circle, our exclusive membership program offering:
• Advance notice and presale access to all ticketed shows
• Invitations to special events and private receptions
• Additional VIP benefits throughout the year
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://jimmysoncongress.com/jimmys-inner-circle/
We’re proud to have 800+ members supporting live music with us—thank you!
𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is available to host a wide range of private events, including:
• Corporate gatherings
• Holiday parties
• Weddings & receptions
• Milestone celebrations
Our venue features award-winning acoustics, state-of-the-art technology, exceptional cuisine, and an elegant atmosphere.
𝐓𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬:
• Email: [email protected]
• Event Request Form: jimmysoncongress.com/book-an-event
Thank you for supporting live music and the arts at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club—where world-class talent meets a one-of-a-
kind experience in the heart of Portsmouth.
#JimmysJazzAndBluesClub #PortsmouthNH #LiveJazz #JazzClub #BluesMusic #JazzInNewEngland #SupportLiveMusic #DinnerAndJazz #DinnerAndMusic #DinnerAndDrinks #LiveBands #SupperClub #EatLocalPortsmouth #PortsmouthDining #PortsmouthEvents #MusicInPortsmouth #SeacoastNH #SeacoastEvents #VisitPortsmouth #HistoricPortsmouth #MusicLovers #JazzConcert #LiveMusicVenue #JimmysJazzBlues #JazzMusic #VisitNH #LocalPortsmouthEats #DowntownPortsmouth #AlbertCummings
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Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH 03801-4005, United States
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Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.