Joanna Connor (born August 31, 1962)[1] is an American Chicago-based blues singer, songwriter and guitarist.[3]

Joanna Connor
Connor in 2018
Connor in 2018
Background information
Born (1962-08-31) August 31, 1962 (age 61)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Blues, blues rock[1]
Occupation(s) Singer, guitarist, songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar
Years active 1980s–present
Labels Blind Pig, Ruf, M.C.,
Keeping the Blues Alive
Website joannaconnor.com

Early life edit

Connor was born in Brooklyn of New York City, and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts.[1] After moving to Chicago in 1984, she was drawn to the Chicago blues scene, eventually sharing the stage with James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and A.C. Reed.[4]

Music career edit

By 1987, Connor had started her own band, and recorded her first album for Blind Pig Records in 1989.[1][5]

In 2002, Connor left Blind Pig Records, and signed a recording contract with M.C. Records (a small independent record label).[1][6]

In 2021, Connor released the No. 1 blues album 4801 South Indiana Avenue,[7][8] via Joe Bonamassa's Keeping the Blues Alive Records.[9]

While on tour in 2022, Connor performed live at Kingston Mines, a blues club.[10][11]

In 2023, Connor was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the instrumentalist category, for guitar.

Discography edit

Albums edit

  • Believe It! (Blind Pig Records) (1989)
  • Fight (Blind Pig Records) (1992)
  • Living On The Road (1993)
  • Rock & Roll Gypsy (Ruf Records) (1995)
  • Big Girl Blues (Blind Pig Records) (1996)
  • Slidetime (Blind Pig Records) (1998)
  • Nothing But The Blues (live in Germany) (2001)
  • The Joanna Connor Band (M.C. Records) (2002)
  • Mercury Blues (M.C. Records)[12] (2003)
  • Unplugged at Carterco with Lance Lewis (Bluesblaster Records) (2008)
  • Live 24 (live at Kingston Mines) (2010)
  • Six String Stories (M.C. Records) (2016)
  • Rise (M.C. Records) (2019)
  • 4801 South Indiana Avenue (KTBA Records)[13] (2021)
  • Best of Me (Gulf Coast Records) (2023)[14]

Singles edit

  • "Slippin' Away" (Da Music/Deutsche Austrophon) (1995)
  • "I Feel So Good" (KTBA Records) (2021)[15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Skelly, Richard. "Joanna Connor: Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-09-02.]
  2. ^ "Joanna Connor / Discusses working with Joe Bonamassa on new album | MetalTalk". 15 January 2021.
  3. ^ Fanelli, Damian (May 19, 2017). "Watch Joanna Connor Shred on Slide Guitar". Guitar World. Retrieved 2018-11-24.]
  4. ^ "Joanna Connor Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  5. ^ "Joanna Connor: Bio". Joanna Connor. 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-24.]
  6. ^ "Shop: Joanna Connor". M.C. Records. Retrieved 2018-11-24.]
  7. ^ "Blues Albums". Billboard. 2 January 2013.
  8. ^ "4801 South Indiana Avenue - Joanna Connor | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "How Joanna Connor built a guitar rig that keeps her blues sound raw and real". Guitar World. 12 March 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "About Kingston Mines". Kingston Mines. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Joanna Connor Chicago Tickets, Kingston Mines". Songkick. March 12, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "Joanna Connor Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  13. ^ Diggins, Mark (January 30, 2021). "Album Review: Joanna Connor - 4801 South Indiana Avenue". The Rockpit. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Joanna Connor Albums and Discography". AllMusic.
  15. ^ "Joanna Connor Albums and Discography - Singles". AllMusic.

External links edit