Announcing the 2026 - 4th Annual Houston Bluesfest Lineup!
Mathias Lattin
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Mathias Lattin
Houston-born guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer Mathias Lattin has become one of the most electrifying young forces in contemporary blues — an award-winning artist whose unmistakable Houston sound is now being heard on stages alongside some of the biggest names in the genre.
At just 20, Mathias swept the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, winning both the Band Division and Best Guitarist honors — an extraordinary double victory that immediately put the Houston musician on the national blues map.
And he hasn't slowed down.
Mathias has since shared the stage with Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Samantha Fish and Joe Bonamassa, while building a national touring career of his own. His debut album, Up Next, showcased another dimension of his talent: Mathias wrote and produced the project himself, blending blues with the jazz, soul, funk and R&B influences that shaped him growing up in Houston.
But Mathias' story is also deeply connected to the story Houston Bluesfest exists to tell.
He was just 12 years old when fellow Bluesfest artist Jonn Del Toro Richardson invited him into Houston's blues community at the legendary Big Easy. There, surrounded by musicians who knew the music, lived the music and passed it forward, Mathias began developing the voice that is unmistakably his today.
Now he comes home to headline the 2026 Houston Bluesfest — not simply as the next generation of Houston blues, but as one of the artists defining what that generation sounds like.
Rooted in Houston. Recognized nationally. And taking the blues forward on his own terms.
That last section is the positioning I think we were missing. He's not “one to watch.” We're booking him because he's one to see now. And it makes the Houston Bluesfest story much stronger: Trudy Lynn represents an extraordinary living connection to Houston's blues heritage; Mathias is already taking that heritage onto major stages today. It's the AND you wanted — heritage and evolution, legends and the artists carrying the music forward.
Trudy Lynn
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Mathias Lattin
Houston Blues Living Legend • The Voice of the Fifth Ward
To tell the story of Houston blues is to tell the story of Trudy Lynn.
Born Lee Audrey Nelms and raised in Houston's historic Fifth Ward, Trudy didn't simply discover the blues—she grew up in the middle of it. Duke and Peacock Records were just blocks from her home, her mother's beauty salon sat near the legendary Club Matinee, and as a girl Trudy would sneak a look at the artists coming through the neighborhood, including Bobby “Blue” Bland, Big Mama Thornton and other giants of blues and R&B. Music filled her own home, too, where her father played harmonica and the family held talent shows on the front porch.
Her own journey to the stage began while she was still a teenager, when legendary Texas guitarist Albert Collins invited her up to sing at Walter's Lounge on Lockwood. That moment helped launch a career that has now spanned more than six decades—from Houston clubs and Texas stages to major festivals around the world.
Along the way, Trudy has become one of Houston's most celebrated blues voices. Her Royal Oaks Blues Café reached No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, she was inducted into the Houston Music Hall of Fame, and her career honors include the Houston Blues Society's Living Legend Blues Award and the Jus' Blues Music Foundation's Willie Mitchell Lifetime Artist Award. Her official biography now counts 16 Blues Music Award nominations.
Her importance to Houston's musical history is also captured in the documentary When Houston Had the Blues, where Trudy is featured as part of the story of the women who helped define Houston blues, alongside names including Big Mama Thornton, Jewel Brown and Katie Webster.
And she's not finished writing that history. In 2026, work began on Trudy Lynn's autobiography, being co-written with blues journalist David Whiteis for publication by the University of Illinois Press—another fitting recognition of a remarkable life lived in the blues.
Now, Trudy Lynn returns to the Houston Bluesfest stage, bringing the music back to a festival that celebrates the city and community from which it grew.
Fiery, soulful and unmistakably her own, Trudy doesn't simply perform Houston blues. She is part of its living history.
See Trudy Lynn at the 4th Annual Houston Bluesfest — October 4 at POSTBorn Lee Audrey Nelms in Houston’s Fifth Ward in 1947, Trudy Lynn is a powerhouse of electric blues and soul. She began her musical journey in the mid-1960s singing with blues icons like Albert Collins and Clarence Green, and later opened for legendary acts such as Ike & Tina Turner. Over her enduring career, she has released twelve studio albums, one live recording, and four compilations, earning acclaim for her raw and emotional vocal style, often likened to blues greats like Koko Taylor and Etta James. Her 2014 album Royal Oaks Blues Caféreached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart, marking a highlight in her illustrious discography.
The new documentary When Houston Had the Blues celebrates Houston’s rich and often underappreciated blues heritage—and it features a segment highlighting “The Ladies of Houston Blues,” including Trudy Lynn alongside Big Mama Thornton, Jewel Brown, and Katie Webster. This film sheds light on how Houston's vibrant Third and Fifth Wards became hotbeds for musical innovation, combining blues with influences from Tejano, Zydeco, R&B, and jazz.
On stage, Trudy Lynn embodies the soul of Houston blues—fiery, soulful, and deeply compelling. In her performances, she doesn’t just sing; she embodies the music’s history, emotion, and grit. Whether delivering shouts, warbles, or tender testimony, she brings the blues to life, captivating audiences with every note. As featured in When Houston Had the Blues, she stands as both a vital cultural link to the city’s musical roots and an unforgettable live performer—making her a perfect, resonant highlight for the Houston Bluesfest lineup.
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Award-Winning Guitarist • Vocalist • Houston Blues Ambassador • Houston Bluesfest Artist & Collaborator
Houston-born Jonn Del Toro Richardson is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, vocalist and songwriter whose music carries the unmistakable sound of Texas blues while drawing from the Latin, R&B, country and rock influences that surrounded him growing up in Houston. Raised in a musical family with deep mariachi roots, Jonn developed a sound that is distinctly his own—soulful, fiery and unmistakably Houston.
His career has earned recognition at the highest levels of the blues world. In 2005, Jonn helped power Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy to victory at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where he was also individually honored with the Albert King Award for Most Promising Guitarist. His solo album Tengo Blues, produced by Anson Funderburgh, went on to win the 2017 Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist Album.
Jonn's guitar can also be heard on Pinetop Perkins' Grammy-winning Last of the Mississippi Blues Men, and throughout his career he has performed and recorded alongside an extraordinary roster of blues artists including Diunna Greenleaf, Otis Taylor, Bob Margolin, Hubert Sumlin, James Cotton, Bob Stroger, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Anson Funderburgh. His work has taken him from Houston stages to festivals and venues around the world.
But Jonn's impact on Houston blues extends beyond his own performances. He has long been a connector, collaborator and mentor within the city's blues community. One great example is fellow 2026 Bluesfest artist Mathias Lattin: Mathias recalls meeting Jonn as a 12-year-old guitarist, when Jonn invited him onto a jam and then encouraged him to join the weekly blues jam Jonn hosted at The Big Easy—an early chapter in the development of an artist who would later become an International Blues Challenge winner himself.
For Houston Bluesfest 2026, Jonn once again takes on a role larger than his own set. As both a featured artist and part of the team helping bring the festival to life, Jonn helps connect Houston's blues legacy with the artists carrying it forward. His relationships throughout the blues community, collaborative spirit and deep knowledge of the music help make Houston Bluesfest not simply a concert, but a celebration of the people and stories behind Houston blues.
This October, expect more than a Jonn Del Toro Richardson performance. Expect collaborations, special guests and the kind of spontaneous musical moments that happen when some of Houston's finest blues artists share a stage.
See Jonn Del Toro Richardson at the 4th Annual Houston Bluesfest — October 4 at POSTA two-time Blues Music Award winner, Jonn's accolades include the Best New Artist Debut Award for his album Tengo Blues. He also contributed guitar work to Pinetop Perkins' Last of the Mississippi Blues Men, which earned a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. His dynamic performances have graced stages worldwide, including the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, where he led the J2M Allstars, a collective of top-tier blues musicians.
At Houston Bluesfest, Jonn Del Toro Richardson serves as both performer and host, bringing together an array of musical talents for a one-of-a-kind collaborative experience. His sets are renowned for their spontaneous energy and seamless blending of diverse influences, making each performance a festival highlight. Witness the magic as Jonn curates an unforgettable evening, turning the stage into a celebration of blues and beyond.
Leonard "Lowdown" Brown
Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Houston’s own Leonard “Lowdown” Brown is a master of soul-blues guitar and vocals, known for his effortless fingerpicking and commanding stage presence. Over four decades, he’s become a cornerstone of the Houston music scene, captivating audiences with his raw talent and dedication to the craft. Influenced by legends like B.B. King, R.L. Burnside, and T-Bone Walker, Brown's sound is a blend of deep blues and soulful grooves.
In 2023, at the age of 70, Brown released his debut album, Blues Is Calling Me, through the Music Maker Foundation.The album showcases his rich vocals and masterful guitar work, earning praise for its smooth grooves and heartfelt lyrics.Tracks like “Find a Bridge” and “Juke Joint” reflect his life experiences and musical journey.
Brown's music has garnered attention beyond the local scene; his performance of “America Hymn” was featured in the Disney+ / National Geographic series America The Beautiful, narrated by Michael B. Jordan. He has also graced stages at renowned festivals such as the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and the Baton Rouge Blues Festival.
As a featured guest at the Houston Bluesfest, Leonard “Lowdown” Brown brings decades of musical mastery and soulful storytelling to the stage. His performance is a testament to the enduring spirit of blues and its power to unite and uplift audiences.
Cris Crochemore Band
Cris Crochemore Band
Brazilian-born. Houston-based. Blues forged across two continents.
Cris Crochemore is a powerhouse guitarist, vocalist and bandleader whose high-energy sound brings together the raw traditions of blues with the fire of blues-rock. A veteran performer with more than three decades on stage, Cris began his career in Brazil, performing hundreds of shows and major festivals before making Houston home in 2018.
Now firmly rooted in Houston's blues community, Cris has performed and collaborated with acclaimed artists including Diunna Greenleaf, Keeshea Pratt and Tweed Smith, and is a member of Greenleaf's Blue Mercy band. His career has taken him from major Brazilian blues festivals to Memphis and stages across the United States.
In 2026, the Cris Crochemore Band won the Houston Blues Challenge, earning the honor of representing Houston at the 2027 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. It's the latest chapter in Cris's long relationship with the competition: he previously represented Houston in Memphis with Tweed Smith & The Internationals and again in 2025 with Marcelo Naves.
At Houston Bluesfest 2026, Cris brings exactly what the festival celebrates: authentic blues, international influence, blistering guitar and the continuing evolution of Houston's blues sound.
See Cris Crochemore Band live at the 4th Annual Houston Bluesfest — October 4 at POST.A genuine protégé of Bo Diddley, young Hamilton's first chance to jam with the legend came backstage in Houston at just 16—a moment that blossomed into a lifelong mentorship, collaboration, and even a gift of a red guitar from Diddley himself. Since then, he has forged his own sound, landing in the “center” of the blues-soul-rock triangle, as Guitar Playermagazine once described it. His 2007 album Ain’t Just Temporary climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. Loomis has released eight albums to date, showcasing his versatility as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer, all while redefining modern blues with soulful riffs and funky grooves.
On stage, Loomis is pure energy—described by Blues Blast Magazine as “a non-stop turbo of power,” he invites the audience into the performance with dynamic showmanship that often becomes interactive and unforgettable. Whether delivering intimate solo moments or high-octane full-band explosions, he connects deeply with fans, turning newcomers into lifelong followers. Beyond the stage, he’s also known for paying it forward—his album Give It Back highlights his commitment to mentoring younger musicians, carrying on the generous spirit of his early mentors.
