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 all expectations. The blistering guitarist, soulful vocalist, singular songwriter, and city bus driver fuses his muscular, rock-inspired blues guitar playing with original, keenly detailed slice-of-life songs. With his 2016 Alligator Records debut, The Chicago Way, Cannon burst onto the international stage. He has played major cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and recently performed in Japan.

The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp features twelve Cannon originals, ranging from the social commentary of the title track to the up-to-the-minute truths of Insurance to the trademark Cannon humor of Stop Me When I’m Lying and Ordinary Woman. He gets serious on The First 24, The Silence Of My Friends and I’m Not Scared. Cannon’s blazing guitar and soul-baring vocals are front and center; his songwriting draws on deep Chicago roots, the wisdom of his grandparents, and years of observing the public while driving a bus.

“It’s not about the solos,” Cannon says. “People get used to everyday life, so it’s easy to miss the things around them. I write about those things. I know the problems of Chicago, the hardship, ’cause we’re always a scapegoat. But I choose to love and respect the city because of the Chicago blues giants that came here from down south. I’m proud to be standing on the shoulders of every great Chicago blues musician who came before me.”

Born in Chicago on February 14, 1968, Cannon grew up near the Robert Taylor Homes and would stand outside Theresa’s Lounge to soak up live blues from artists like Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. He bought his first guitar at 22, initially focused on reggae, then found his voice in the blues. He absorbed sounds from Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Hound Dog Taylor, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix, J.B. Hutto, Lil’ Ed and others, but his biting, stinging guitar sound is his own.

Cannon played as a sideman from 1996–2002, formed The Cannonball Express in 2001, and became a full-time bandleader by 2003. His albums include My Woman (2007), Leaving Mood (2011), and the Blues Music Award–nominated John The Conqueror Root (2013). The Chicago Way (2016) brought wider attention: MOJO named it the #1 Blues Album of 2016, Living Blues readers did the same, CNN filmed him leading a tour of Chicago blues clubs, and he received four Blues Music Awards nominations in 2017. He was also invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game on September 13, 2017.

Cannon has played the Chicago Blues Festival on ten occasions. When he’s home he drives a CTA bus by day and performs by night. Blues Music Magazine praised his fire and spontaneity, timely songwriting, and assertive voice. PBS Chicago Tonight described him as "just your typical CTA bus driver who moonlights as a sought-after Chicago blues musician."

Event details:
- Date: November 4
- Time: 7:00 pm–9:00 pm (Doors: 5:30 pm, Showtime: 7:00 pm)
- Category: Live Music
- 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.
- Floor plan: green = bar-height tables; orange = regular-height tables.
- Most seats are sold as "Tables for Two" (ticket admits two people).
- Limited single seats are available; single attendees may share a table with other singles.
- Multiple tickets purchased under the same name will 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
- Video: https://youtu.be/VSBSY9smvBs?si=z0ORfFgldTYrDOvZ
- Tickets (Eventbrite): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toronzo-cannon-at-the-443-social-club-tickets-1994375629194?aff=oddtdtcreator