Joanna Connor is a prominent blues guitarist celebrated for her fiery slide guitar playing, soulful vocals, and dynamic stage presence. Her career spans decades, marked by collaborations with blues legends, a Billboard chart-topping album, and a viral video that introduced her to a global audience.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Connor's journey into the blues began after she moved to Chicago in 1984. Drawn to the city's vibrant blues scene, she found herself sharing the stage with iconic figures such as James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, and A.C. Reed. This early exposure shaped her musical foundation and set her on a path to becoming a respected blues artist.
Career Highlights and Accolades
Connor's discography includes numerous albums released on various labels, including Blind Pig Records and M.C. Records. In 2021, her album "4801 South Indiana Avenue," produced by Joe Bonamassa, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart. This album title refers to the address of a defunct Chicago blues club Theresa’s Lounge. In 2023, she received a Blues Music Award nomination in the instrumentalist category for guitar, further solidifying her reputation as a leading blues guitarist.
Key Albums
- Believe It! The Joanna Connor Band (M.C. Records): Showcases Connor's band and her guitar prowess.
- Mercury Blues (M.C. Records): A collection of blues tracks that highlight her vocal and instrumental talents.
- Six String Stories (M.C. Records): Features Connor's storytelling through her guitar playing.
- Rise (M.C. Records): Demonstrates her continued evolution as a blues artist.
- 4801 South Indiana Avenue (Keeping The Blues Alive): A collaboration with Joe Bonamassa that achieved chart success.
Collaborations and Influences
Joanna Connor's career has been enriched by collaborations with notable musicians. Her work with Joe Bonamassa on "4801 South Indiana Avenue" brought her widespread recognition. Bonamassa, known for his business acumen in the music industry, co-produced the album with Josh Smith at Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios.
Joe Bonamassa
Bonamassa's involvement was pivotal in Connor's recent success. He recognized her talent and offered his support, leading to a fruitful collaboration. "I have known of Joanna for years. In fact, I opened for her at the House of Blues in Chicago 20 years ago," Bonamassa explained. He was impressed by a video of her playing, noting the "fire and fearlessness with which she played that I had not seen in modern times - especially on a slide."
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Reese Wynans
The album also features Reese Wynans, a keyboardist who previously worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan. Connor described the experience of working with Wynans as "incredible," highlighting his fantastic playing on the record.
Jimmy Page
One of the unique moments in Connor's career was a jam session with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page at Kingston Mines in 1985. Page's surprise appearance and impromptu performance with Connor and other musicians left a lasting impression.
Musical Style and Influences
Connor's musical style is rooted in the Chicago blues tradition, incorporating elements of rock and soul. She draws inspiration from legendary bluesmen like Luther Allison, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy. Connor's approach to the blues is both traditional and innovative, as she puts her own spin on the genre while honoring its rich history.
Raw and Timeless Feel
Her music maintains a raw, timeless feel, capturing the energy and emotion of live performance. Connor's slide guitar playing is a defining characteristic of her sound, marked by its intensity and expressiveness.
Pushing the Envelope
"I wasn’t the first person to combine blues and rock, don’t get me wrong. But, in that blues world, kind of pushing the envelope and doing different things - it didn’t make me popular with a lot of the blues purists or the blues foundations. Maybe it’s selfish but I’m here to speak my story and to please myself and be honest to myself," Connor said.
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Live Performances and Chicago Blues Scene
Joanna Connor has been a fixture in the Chicago blues scene for many years, with a long-standing residency at Kingston Mines. This club, known for showcasing live blues music, has been a significant venue for Connor, providing her with a platform to hone her skills and connect with audiences.
Kingston Mines
"Performing at Kingston Mines coupled with a residency lasting approximately two decades on the Back Porch stage at House of Blues shows Connor as a great example of the way that, prior to pandemic, club residencies, suburban appearances and summer street fests could all combine to keep Chicago musicians working on a nearly full-time basis."
A Thriving Blues Community
Despite the changing landscape of Chicago's blues clubs, venues like Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy’s Legends, and Rosa’s continue to support live music and provide opportunities for musicians like Connor.
The Viral Video and Renewed Recognition
A pivotal moment in Connor's career came with the viral video of her performing in a backyard in Norwood, Massachusetts. The video, which has garnered millions of views, showcased her electrifying guitar playing and introduced her to a wider audience.
Unexpected Fame
"I mean, I don't know. This has been my thing. And I don't mean to sound like a bitter person. But I always, every time I did a festival or was on, had a good opportunity, the audience always loved it. But the industry, you know, I had some labels behind me, but it was, I was never the favorite child of the music industry or the blues world," Connor reflected.
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Internet's Impact
The internet played a crucial role in Connor's renewed recognition. "It seemed like the people at that level kind of didn't open doors for me in a sense, but whatever, whatever is meant to be is meant to be. But the thousands of the people liked what I did. And so when the internet came along, you know, I was jazz kicking and screaming into it. I was like, wow, the people have a voice now to say what they like. And they can find things like this, whereas before, you know, if a record executive didn't want you to be heard."
Personal Life and Influences
Connor's personal life has also influenced her music. Her mother, who had a diverse taste in music, exposed her to blues, jazz, R&B, and classical music from a young age. This early exposure instilled in her a deep appreciation for the blues and shaped her musical sensibilities.
Early Influences
"It was my mom. Like, literally, she had the best music taste ever and a huge, broad scope of music she listened to. So I literally grew up hearing blues and jazz and R&B and classical and everything. And she but she loved blues and jazz, most of all, even reggae. When the first reggae album came out, The Harder They Come, I was 10. My mom brought it. So it's like she was the one. So like I didn't have to discover blues, it was in my living room."
Slide Guitar Inspiration
Her introduction to slide guitar came from a guitar teacher who was a Ry Cooder fanatic. This teacher introduced her to the techniques and styles of blues legends, setting her on the path to mastering the slide guitar.
Overcoming Challenges and Maintaining a Positive Outlook
Throughout her career, Joanna Connor has faced challenges and obstacles. However, she has remained resilient, focusing on her music and connecting with her audience.
The Importance of Live Performance
"It’s that energy exchange that you get with the crowd. And the magic of the moment. You never know what any night is going to bring - which can be good and bad. But that whole feeling that happens with the energy of the people listening and the musicians is a big circle. That’s a really spiritual element of music - that emotional side. And when that’s removed, it’s tough," Connor said.
The Enduring Power of the Blues
"It’s a music that Joe and I love and respect that we’ve listened to for so much of our lives. So it’s important to us personally but also as an art form. It’s gone through a lot of changes. It’s constantly evolving. But blues is the mother of all modern music if you really look at it. So it needs its respect and it needs to survive. Because it is that important and it is that vital. And it really is a gift from America to the world. So we really need to appreciate it," Connor said.
Joanna Connor's Weight Loss Journey
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