Toronzo Cannon – 11/4

“Deep, contemporary Chicago blues…razor-sharp guitar and compelling, forceful singing” — The Chicago Tribune

“Cannon is at the front rank of Chicago bluesmen. He creates wide-screen modern arrangements for wry, thoughtful songs, molding an ensemble sound that’s both tempestuous and scrupulously controlled.” – MOJO

Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon defies expectations. The blistering guitarist, soulful vocalist, songwriter, and city bus driver fuses rock‑inspired blues guitar with keen, slice-of-life songs. His Alligator Records debut, The Chicago Way (2016), brought him to the international stage. His album The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp features twelve originals, including the title track, Insurance, Stop Me When I’m Lying, Ordinary Woman, The First 24, The Silence Of My Friends, and I’m Not Scared.

“It’s not about the solos,” Cannon says. “It’s about the songs. People get used to everyday life, so it’s easy to miss the things around them. I write about those things.” His songwriting draws on deep Chicago roots, the wisdom of his grandparents, and years of observing the public while driving a bus.

Born in Chicago on February 14, 1968, Cannon grew up near Theresa’s Lounge and learned from the music pouring out of the club. He bought his first guitar at 22 and, though he started with reggae, turned to the blues. He absorbed licks from Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Hound Dog Taylor, B. B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix, J. B. Hutto, Lil’ Ed and others, while developing his own biting guitar sound.

From 1996–2002 he played as a sideman for Tommy McCracken, Wayne Baker Brooks, L. V. Banks and Joanna Connor. He formed The Cannonball Express in 2001 and became a full-time bandleader by 2003. His early albums include My Woman (2007, self-released), Leaving Mood (2011, Delmark) and John The Conqueror Root (2013, Delmark), which was nominated for a Blues Music Award.

The Chicago Way generated wide media attention: CNN filmed Cannon leading a tour of Chicago blues clubs; MOJO declared the album the #1 Blues Album of 2016; readers of Living Blues also ranked it #1. Cannon and the album were nominated for four Blues Music Awards in 2017. He has played major cities across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, and has appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival on multiple occasions.

Blues Music Magazine: “His guitar playing has all the fire and spontaneity of the Chicago legends he carries; his songwriting is a timely and original look at the world he sees by day on a bus and in blues clubs by night, and his assertive voice is the perfect vehicle to deliver the message.”

PBS Chicago Tonight: “Cannon is just your typical CTA bus driver who moonlights as a sought-after Chicago blues musician. As a guitarist, singer and songwriter, he drives the sound of Chicago blues from the city to blues clubs and festivals around the world.”

Event details:

DOORS: 5:30PM
SHOWTIME: 7PM
Date: November 4, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Event Category: Live Music
Event Tags: Blues, Chicago Blues, Toronzo Cannon

Venue:
- The 443 Social Club & Lounge
- 443 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203

Ticket info:
- The 443 is an intimate listening room with table service that seats 75 people.
- The green squares/circles on the floor plan are bar-height tables; the orange squares are regular-height tables.
- Most seats are sold as “Tables for Two” (ticket admits TWO people).
- A limited number of single seats are available; single attendees may share a table with other single attendees.
- Multiple tickets purchased under the same name will automatically be seated together (up to 6 people).
- Requesting a specific table is a perk reserved for VIP Patron members.
- If anyone in your party needs special seating arrangements (walker, cane, service animal, wheelchair, low table requirement, or you want to be seated with another party), please EMAIL US after you place your order.

Links:
- Website: https://www.toronzocannon.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toronzocannon
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toronzocannon
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zqygsU5SAxzfK5hop7As6?si=4sb7k2xwTsCpIx85yG2LPQ
- Tickets (Eventbrite): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toronzo-cannon-at-the-443-social-club-tickets-1994375629194?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Video: https://youtu.be/VSBSY9smvBs?si=z0ORfFgldTYrDOvZ