Joanna Connor – The Queen of Slide Who Set the Blues on Fire
If you’ve ever thought the blues was a boys’ club, let me introduce you to Joanna Connor.
The first time I saw her tear into a slide solo, I was frozen in place. I wasn’t just watching a woman play the blues—I was witnessing a force of nature.
Joanna Connor didn’t ask for a seat at the table. She walked in, plugged in, and burned it down.
And once you’ve heard her, you don’t forget her.
Who Is Joanna Connor?
Born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in Massachusetts, and reborn in Chicago, Joanna Connor found her spiritual home in the blues clubs of the Windy City.
She came up in a scene dominated by men—and didn’t just survive, she thrived. She played with James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, and earned their respect the old-fashioned way: by throwing down every night and leaving it all on stage.
For decades she’s been a secret weapon, playing guitar with passion, power, and unbelievable precision.
And in recent years, the world finally started catching up with what Chicago blues fans have known for ages: Joanna Connor is a guitar monster with soul for days.
The Sound: Slide Guitar, Soul Power, and Pure Emotion
Joanna’s signature sound hits you right in the chest:
- 🎸 Slide guitar that screams, sings, and weeps—always fiery, never fake.
- 🎤 Vocals that are raw, commanding, and full of lived-in truth.
- 🎶 A style that blends Chicago blues, funk, soul, and rock into one explosive package.
She doesn’t just play guitar—she attacks it, bends it, squeezes every ounce of feeling out of it.
And when she hits a big solo, you can almost hear the ghosts of Muddy Waters and Elmore James nodding in approval.
Albums That Lit Me Up
If you’re new to Joanna Connor, here are some records that hit hard and stay with you:
- 💿 Believe It! (1990) – Her debut. Gritty, soulful, and full of promise.
- 🎸 Slidetime (1998) – A masterclass in slide technique and groove.
- 🔥 Six String Stories (2016) – Raw, funky, and deeply personal.
- 🎙️ Rise (2019) – A mature, confident blend of blues and soul.
- 💥 4801 South Indiana Avenue (2021) – Produced by Joe Bonamassa. It’s fierce, focused, and one of her best.
That last one? It’s a statement. A woman at the top of her game, letting the world have it.
Seeing Joanna Connor Live – Pure Electricity
I finally got to see Joanna Connor live at a blues festival, and it was exactly what I hoped for—and more.
She walked onstage, cracked a smile, and within 30 seconds had everyone under her spell. Her slide solos didn’t just raise the roof—they shattered it.
She played with total abandon, like each note had to be played or she’d explode.
And when she laid into “Walkin’ Blues”? Goosebumps.
It was old school and brand new at the same time.
Why Joanna Connor Still Matters
In a genre built on feeling, Joanna Connor is the realest of the real.
She doesn’t care about flash or trends. She plays what’s inside her—and it shows.
She’s inspired countless young women to pick up a guitar and kick the door in.
But more than that, she’s proven that talent, soul, and raw firepower still matter.
She’s not just a great female blues guitarist.
She’s one of the best blues guitarists, period.
Where to Start If You’re New
Here’s your Joanna Connor starter kit:
- 🎧 4801 South Indiana Avenue – Her latest, and a scorcher.
- 💿 Six String Stories – Deep, funky, and emotional.
- 🎸 Slidetime – For slide guitar lovers.
- 📺 YouTube: Search “Joanna Connor live House of Blues” or “Joanna Connor slide guitar solo” to see her blow the roof off.
More at joannaconnorwreckingcrew.com
Joanna Connor doesn’t just play the blues—she commands it.
And when she picks up that slide, you know something powerful is about to happen.
🎸🔥💪
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