Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Shemekia Copeland
(Photo: Joseph A. Rosen)The blues was on full display during The Blues Foundation’s 42nd Blues Music Awards on June 6.
This year’s ceremony was held virtually due to continued COVID precautions, but that didn’t stop Shemekia Copeland from becoming the show’s big winner with three awards including the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award.
Copeland was recognized with the Contemporary Blues Female Artist award (an award she also received in 2020), and also took the prize for Contemporary Blues Album with Uncivil War.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram took home two awards, winning both Contemporary Blues Male Artist and Instrumentalist–Guitar.
Other multiple award winners were Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, whose album, 100 Years Of Blues, won awards for Album of the Year and Traditional Blues Album, and Mike Zito, who won in the Blues Rock Artist category as well as the Blues Rock Album category for Mike Zito And Friends–Rock ’n’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry.
Bettye LaVette won for Soul Blues Female Artist and Bobby Rush took the prize for Acoustic Blues Album with Rawer Than Raw. Rush performed during the show and appeared onstage to accept his award. Kenny “Beady Eyes” Smith, Instrumentalist–Drum winner, continued a family tradition. His father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, has won 16 BMAs. Newcomer King Solomon Hicks was awarded Best Emerging Artist Album for Harlem. Other awards included Rick Estrin & the Nightcats’ win for Band of the Year and Walter Trout’s win for Song of the Year, “All Out Of Tears.”
The show featured Big Llou as the host and performances by Bobby Rush and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, John Nemeth & the Blue Dreamers, Shaun Murphy, Don Bryant, Watermelon Slim and Southern Avenue.
Awarded by The Blues Foundation’s members, the BMAs are recognized as one of the highest honors given to blues musicians each year. This year’s event was presented by Global Electronic Technology.
For a complete list of winners, go to blues.org. DB
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet will record live at New York’s Village Vanguard for ECM records on Aug. 26–27.
Jul 22, 2026 12:46 PM
One of Joe Lovano’s buzz terms is “the moment of now” and with seemingly infinite patience — despite a schedule…
