Toronzo Cannon grew up on Chicago’s South Side, just steps from the legendary Theresa’s Lounge, where the sounds of blues icons echoed through the streets and into his soul. Though he came to the guitar later in life, his passion for the blues quickly ignited, fueled by influences like Buddy Guy, Hound Dog Taylor, Albert King, and Jimi Hendrix. Cannon’s fierce guitar style and emotionally charged vocals reflect both the gritty realism of Chicago and a deep respect for the genre’s roots.

After paying his dues as a sideman with artists like Tommy McCracken, Wayne Baker Brooks, L.V. Banks, and Joanna Connor from 1996 to 2002, Cannon formed his own band, The Cannonball Express, in 2001. He released critically acclaimed albums beginning with My Woman (2007), Leaving Mood (2011), and the Blues Music Award–nominated John the Conqueror Root (2013). Signing with Alligator Records in 2015, his breakthrough albums The Chicago Way (2016) and The Preacher, The Politician or The Pimp (2019) firmly established him as one of the most innovative and vital voices on today’s blues scene. Known for intensely felt original songs and searing guitar solos, Cannon continues to push the boundaries of contemporary blues—don’t miss his high-energy performance at the Iridium on October 17, 2025, at 8:30 PM.