Joe Bonamassa

Artist's Website

“Right now, there’s no better Blues-rock artist than Bonamassa”- Gibson.com

As Joe Bonamassa grows his reputation as one of the world’s greatest guitar players, he is also evolving into a charismatic blues-rock star and singer-songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance. His ability to connect with live concert audiences is transformational, and his new album, Black Rock, brings that energy to his recorded music more powerfully than ever before.

2009 was a big year for Bonamassa. He was awarded the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at the U.K.’s prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. He was also named Best Blues Guitarist in Guitar Player Magazine’s 2009 Readers-’ Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. Guitar Player writer Matt Blackett has said, ‘He’s an old soul, and that comes through in his bends, vibrato, singing voice, and note choices, which – which each passing year – get more restrained and refined.’

In May ’09, he played to a sold out crowd at London’s Royal Albert Hall, arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world. During the show, Bonamassa’s hero, Eric Clapton, joined him on stage for a joint-performance of Clapton’s hit ‘Further On Up The Road.’ London’s The Independent said about the show, ‘The man has arrived, and there’s no turning back.’

Bonamassa is a spokesperson for the Blues Foundation’s respected Blues In The Schools program, volunteering his time during tours to speak with groups of high school students about the heritage of blues music – the first pure American music form. Recently, he was chosen by Channel One, the largest in-school news network, to host an ongoing segment called ‘Know Your Roots with Joe Bonamassa’ in which he traces the musical roots of Channel One’-'s weekly ‘Hear It Now’ featured artist.