Experience the Houston Bluesfest 2024: A Celebration of Live Music

Based out of Houston, Texas, Jonn is an internationally renowned guitarist, singer, and songwriter celebrated for his contributions to the blues genre. He has won two Blues Music Awards, including the Best New Artist Debut Award for his album *Tengo Blues*, along with Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy. Notably, he played guitar on *Pinetop Perkins Last of the Mississippi Blues Men*, which won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. His album *Time Slips On By*, recorded with Rich DelGrosso, not only earned a Blues Music Award nomination but also a Blues Blast Award and was listed in Downbeat Magazine's Top 100 Albums of the Year. The recording *Drivin' Me Wild*, featuring Sean Carney, garnered impressive reviews within the genre. Jonn's collaboration with Otis Taylor opened doors to a diverse musical landscape, allowing him to perform alongside many great artists worldwide. In 2005, he was honored with the

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, making her a must-see at the upcoming Houston Blues Festival. 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 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 Player magazine 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, and further enriching the live music events scene.

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. As a songwriter and electric guitar-slinging blues legend in the Houston music scene, Leonard “Lowdown” Brown captures the essence of live music events with his virtuosic fingerwork and formidable voice, showcasing his raw talent after over four decades of dedication to his craft. In 2003, he was featured in Roger Wood's book Down in Houston: Bayou City Blues, solidifying his status as one of Houston's living blues legends. Growing up in the Chicago area, Leonard sang with his siblings in traveling gospel choirs. At the age of six, he received his first guitar from his father and hasn’t stopped playing since. By his early twenties, Brown was immersed in the Chicago music scene, performing in gospel and quartet groups while seeking to explore various music styles. Inspired by the artistry of Wes Montgomery, B.B. King, R.L. Burnside, and T-Bone Walker’s fingerpicking, he forged his own unique sound. In 1980, Brown's journey took him to Houston after graduating from a two-year training program at General Electric. As a newcomer, he quickly found his community through music and became a fixture in the local scene, earning the nickname “Lowdown” from the organizers of the Houston Blues Festival in 1988—a title that has endured for a reason. A founding member of the Houston Blues Society, Brown also served on its first board of directors. He has opened for acts such as Sister Sledge, ZZ Hill, Johnny Taylor, and Bobby Bland. As he continues his musical journey, Leonard “Lowdown” Brown is grateful to be part of the Music Maker Foundation community, which supports and promotes traditional American musical artists. Through Music Maker, he has participated in notable events such as the Telluride Blues Festival and the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. Brown was featured on the cover of the May 2024 issue of Living Blues Magazine and is now a proud member of the Music Maker Blues Review, having recently performed at the Music Maker 30th Anniversary Celebration in Durham, NC. His first album with Music Maker, Blues is Calling Me, was released in 2023, and his next album, Big Blues Show, recorded at Music Maker's new studio, is set to be released in early 2025.

Eric Demmer won the 2021 and 2022 Blues Music Awards for his notable contributions to the Best Blues Rock Album category. As a Gulf Coast Records label artist, Eric received an invitation in 1993 to play alongside the legendary guitarist Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, remaining an integral part of his band until Brown's passing in 2005. In addition to his previous accolades, Eric's albums, including “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” and “Resurrection” by Mike Zito, have helped him earn recognition again in the live music events scene. He was also 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 captivating fusion of high-energy blues, funk, and rock-n-roll, which resonates with fans at events like the Bluesfest 2024 and the Houston Blues Festival. His album

Cris Crochemore honed his guitar skills in his native Brazil, mastering Rock and Blues styling that quickly secured him a place in the Houston Blues scene. This success led to opportunities to perform with legendary blues artists including Diunna Greenleaf, The Keeshea Pratt Band, and James Boogaloo. Cris represented Houston at the 2020 International Blues Challenge alongside Tweed Smith in the semifinals. His impressive discography includes 5 CDs (3 studio and 2 live) and 1 DVD. In 2021, he won the Houston Blues Society Challenge and went on to represent Houston at the Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge in 2022. By 2024, he not only took home accolades from the Houston Blues Society but also made a mark as a duo/solo artist. Known as “The Brazilian Bluesman,” Cris is a noteworthy presence at live music events including the upcoming Bluesfest 2024 and the Houston Blues Festival.