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Seeing Buddy Guy perform at a local university at the age of 10 left a paramount impression. And so, Joanna Connor’s musical odyssey began. Playing saxophone, guitar and singing through her school years were her passions, and eventually led to her performing professionally at age 17. But her hunger to become a guitarist first and foremost and her desire to immerse herself in the Blues, propelled her to move to Chicago in 1984.“It was my university. I went out every night of the week. Within a month I had my first gig with the legendary Johnny Littlejohn." A few weeks later Joanna became a part of Dion Payton and the 43rd St Bluesband which became the house band at the legendary Checkerboard Lounge, on Chicago's south side, then owned by Buddy Guy. From then on things kicked into overdrive. Joanna played with Buddy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Sammy Lawhorn, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Magic Slim, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, and Koko Taylor, just to name a few. Oh, and let’s not forget Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page who played with her at Kingston Mines.
Joanna went on to form her own band in 1988 with weekly appearances at the Kingston Mines in Chicago. Her formidable guitar playing, and distinctive soul-churning vocal ability caught the attention of Blind Pig Records, who released her debut album “Believe It” in 1990.
Joanna and her band shared stages with Blues, Rock and Jazz greats, including Luther Allison, BB King, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Jimmy Page, Robert Cray, ZZ Top, Joe Cocker, Etta James, and SO many others.
National and International accolades in the press and radio media resulted into a decade of world tours, a dozen recordings on Ruf Records, MC Records and others, a German documentary on WDR Television, and a multitude of TV appearances and radio features. Joanna also has signed endorsement deals with , Victoria Amps, Gibson Guitars and Orange Amps.
Headlining the Chicago Blues Festival and two 15 plus year residencies at the House of Blues and The Kingston Mines, honed Joanna’s considerable guitar and vocal chops even further. And she brings all that experience and talent to Macomb Heritage Days on Saturday, June 27th LIVE an a FREE concert from the Pepsi Stage at 7:30.
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Event Venue
Chandler Park, Macomb, IL, United States, Illinois 61455
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
