Capturing the rhythm and soul of live performances at Houston Bluesfest: a visual journey through unforgettable moments

Based out of Houston, Texas, Jonn is an internationally renowned guitarist singer songwriter with two Blues Music Awards for Best New Artist Debut Award for his album Tengo Blues and with Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy.  He also played guitar on Pinetop Perkins Last of the Mississippi Blues Men that garnered a Grammy for Best Tradition Blues Album.  The album Time Slips On By which he recorded with Rich DelGrosso was nominated for a Blues Music Award and Blues Blast Award and was in Downbeat Magazines Top 100 Albums of the Year.  The recording Drivin' Me Wild that he recorded with Sean Carney received great reviews in the genre.  His work with Otis Taylor introduced him to a diverse world of musical possibilities playing alongside many great artists worldwide.  He also won the "Albert King" award at the Internal Blues Challenge in 2005.  Jonn's style blends Blues, R&B, Country, Latin, and Rock to give its own soulful flare.  Jonn continues to tour extensively both in the U.S. and Europe.

Born Carolyn Bradford in Houston in 1972, Carolyn Wonderland began her musical journey at an early age—reportedly playing guitar by six and even fingerpicking by eight due to an early pick mishap that shaped her signature style. By 15 she was already performing at Houston’s Fitzgerald’s, eventually leading her own band, The Imperial Monkeys, and earning multiple local music awards as her reputation grew. Over decades, she has developed a vivid musical style that blends blues, Tex-Mex, cosmic soul, country, swing, zydeco, gospel, cumbia, and rock ’n’ roll—delivered through her fearless guitar work, multidimensional vocals, and formidable songwriting.

A veteran performer, Wonderland has been on the road virtually nonstop since adolescence, sharing stages with icons such as Townes Van Zandt, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Dylan, and John Mayall. In 2018, she made history as the first—and only—female lead guitarist in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, a lineage that traces back to legends like Eric Clapton and Peter Green. Her solo career has flourished under Alligator Records: Tempting Fate (2021), produced by Dave Alvin, earned her critical acclaim, multiple Blues Music Award nods, and induction into the Austin Music Hall of Fame; her latest release, Truth Is (2025), continues that momentum with emotionally potent originals and commanding performances.

Carolyn Wonderland delivers electrifying live shows—featuring searing guitar, soulful vocals, and razor-sharp songwriting—that connect deeply with audiences. Beyond her music, she embodies grit and compassion: after a period living in her van during tough times, she co-founded H.O.M.E. (HomeAustin.org) to support older musicians facing housing insecurity, alongside peers like Marcia Ball. Her artistry and activism make her both a formidable performer and a heartfelt community leader—an ideal and inspiring highlight for the 2024 Houston Bluesfest lineup.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.

At the age of 70, Houston’s master soul-bluesman Leonard “Lowdown” Brown will release his debut record, Blues is Calling Me, via Music Maker Foundation. Leonard “Lowdown” Brown is a songwriter and electric guitar-slinging blues legend in the Houston music scene. His virtuosic fingerwork and formidable voice seem effortless, evidence of his raw talent and over four decades of dedication to his craft. In 2003, Brown was included in Roger's Wood's book Down in Houston: Bayou City Blues and as such is one of Houston's living blues legends. Leonard Brown grew up in the Chicago area singing with his siblings in traveling gospel choirs . Around the age of six, Leonard’s father gave him his first guitar and he hasn’t stopped playing since. By his early twenties, Brown was playing in the Chicago music scene in gospel and quartet groups but had a thirst to try out other styles of music. He took inspiration from the artistry of Wes Montgomery, B.B. King, R.L. Burnside and T-Bone Walker’s fingerpicking to create his own style. His path changed directions in 1980, when he graduated from a two-year training program at General Electric and was assigned to work in Houston. A stranger to the city, Brown found his community through music. Leonard quickly became a mainstay of Houston’s music culture and was dubbed as the “Lowdown” by the organizers of Benson and Hedges Houston Blues Festival in 1988–and the catchy name has stuck for a reason. Brown was a founding member of Houston Blues Society and served on the first board of directors.  Brown has opened for acts including Sister Sledge, ZZ Hill, Johnny Taylor and Bobby Bland.  As he continues his journey, Leonard “Lowdown” Brown is grateful to be included in the Music Maker Foundation community, which supports & promotes traditional American musical artists. Through Music Maker, Leonard played at the Telluride Blues Festival and Baton Rouge Blues Festival. Brown had a cover story in the May 2024 issue of Living Blues Magazine. Brown is now a member of the Music Maker Blues Review, recently performing at the Music Maker 30th Anniversary Celebration in Durham, NC. His first album with Music Maker was Blues is Calling Me, released in 2023. His next album Big Blues Show was recorded at Music Makers new studio, and is due for release in early 2025.

 Eric Demmer  won the 2021 and 2022 Blues Music Awards for their participation in the category of Best Blues Rock Album. Eric Demmer a Gulf Coast Records label artist, received an invitation to play with the legendary guitarist Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown in 1993. He remained a member of his band until he passed away in 2005. Eric has won the 2021 and 2022 Blues Music Awards for his participation in the category of Best Blues Rock Album. The albums are “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” and “Resurrection” by Mike Zito. He was nominated for the 2023 Blues Blast Magazine Award in two categories: Best New Artist Album Debut and Best Horn Player. Eric’s sound is a blend of high-energy blues, funk, and rock-n-roll. Eric’s music is a fusion of various musical styles and influences. In November of 2022, his album "So Fine" debuted at number five on the Billboard Blues charts. "So Fine” is a personal and professional expression of his relationships.

Cris Crochemore honed his guitar skills in his native Brazil. The Rock and Blues styling quickly secured him a place in the Houston Blues scene and providing an opportunity to perform with Blues legend Diunna Greenleaf, The Keeshea Pratt Band and James Boogaloo among many others blues artists. He represented Houston in the 2020 w Tweed Smith, in the semifinals IBC . He adds to his credit 5 CDs (3 studio, 2 live) and 1 DVD.  In 2021 he won the Houston Blues Society Challenge, being the 2022 Houston representative on Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge. In 2024 he won Houston Blues Society as well as a duo/solo artist. Cris Crochemore “The Brazilian Bluesman”