Toronzo Cannon & Joanna Connor in Chicago

Toronzo Cannon is an American blues singer, guitarist and songwriter born in Chicago in 1968. Raised in Bronzeville, he began playing guitar at 22 and worked with musicians including Wayne Baker Brooks, L.V. Banks and Joanna Connor before starting a solo career. His albums include John the Conquer Root, The Chicago Way, The Preacher, the Politician or the Pimp and Shut Up & Play!; the first two received Blues Music Award nominations. Toronzo Cannon formed the Cannonball Express in 2001 before pursuing work under his own name. As a solo performer, he has headlined concerts, played Chicago clubs and appeared at festivals internationally.

Joanna Connor is an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Brooklyn and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her music centers on powerful vocals and electric slide guitar, documented on albums including Believe It!, Six String Stories and 4801 South Indiana Avenue, which was produced by Joe Bonamassa. After moving to Chicago in 1984, she worked in the city’s blues clubs and formed her own band in 1987. She later toured the United States and Europe and maintained a long-running club engagement with her band at Kingston Mines.