Joe Bonamassa shares final preview of B.B. King Tribute

Few artists have influenced the modern blues world with the same conviction and consistency as Joe Bonamassa. From the moment a 12-year-old prodigy from upstate New York opened for B.B. King, his path seemed destined for legend and three decades on, that prophecy has been fulfilled; he now stands as both a torchbearer and an innovator, a bridge between the genre’s hallowed past and its still-unfolding future.

His story is build on pure drive and deep respect for heritage, across more than 40 albums released through his own J&R Adventures label, Joe has forged an astonishing legacy. With 23 number-one records on the Billboard Blues Chart and two Grammy nominations under his belt, he’s managed to keep the blues not just alive but vital as a living art form rather than a museum piece. But Joe Bonamassa’s influence extends beyond his virtuoso guitar work and formidable catalogue, his passion for preserving the soul of music runs through his philanthropic efforts as well.

In 2011, he founded the Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, a nonprofit that funds music education across the United States and more recently, during the pandemic’s most uncertain moments, his Fueling Musicians Program raised over $350,000 to help touring artists recover. Now, he turns his attention once more to the man who started it all, his earliest hero and lifelong touchstone, B.B. King. His latest project, B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, celebrates what would have been King’s centennial year with the same reverence and creative boldness that have long defined Joe’s career.

Released through KTBA Records on the 6th of February, the album gathers an extraordinary roster of collaborators to reimagine and honour King’s timeless body of work. Produced by Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the collection carries the full support of the Estate of B.B. King and The B.B. King Music Company, marking it as an officially sanctioned tribute to one of the genre’s most revered figures.

In the lead-up to the full release, the project has unfolded through five volumes, the final of which, B.B. King’s Blues Summit, Vol. V, closes the series with style and soul. Featuring performances by Marc Broussard, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, Dannielle De Andrea and Dion, the record reads like a roll call of modern artists carrying the blues flame into the future. Each artist reinterprets a track from King’s immense catalogue, creating a mosaic that spans the emotional and stylistic breadth of his influence.

The release opens with “Three O’Clock Blues,” the very first single B.B. King ever recorded, now reborn with Marc Broussard’s powerhouse vocal. Producer Josh Smith calls Broussard “one of those dudes that can sing the phone book” and he’s not wrong. Dannielle De Andrea brings another standout moment with “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer,” a vocal performance that Josh describes as “world class,” perfectly matching the emotional gravity of King’s original.

“How Blue Can You Get” sees Warren Haynes take on one of King’s most sacred songs, famously captured on Live at the Regal. Warren approaches the track with the reverence of a disciple and the energy of a master in his own right. “Warren is one of the most talented and kindest artists in the business,” Josh notes and that warmth shines through every note. Ivan Neville’s haunting rendition of “Ghetto Woman” delivers another emotional high point, his restrained yet powerful delivery breathing new life into one of King’s most socially conscious works.

The record closes with “Never Make A Move Too Soon,” featuring the legendary Dion, whose lifelong connection to the blues infuses the track with wisdom and ease. “He requested this as his all-time favourite B.B. song,” Josh explains. “It’s such a classic track with a great vibe.” With Joe Bonamassa’s soulful soloing and Marc Douthit’s saxophone cutting through the arrangement, it’s a fitting finale to a project dripping in vitality. B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 is a conversation across generations, a reminder that the blues isn’t a relic, but a living, breathing language still capable of developing. Joe Bonamassa, ever the student and teacher, understands that legacy isn’t about imitation but translation, taking what came before and shaping it anew.

Listen to B.B. King’s Blues Summit, Vol. V below