B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 Brings Together 40+ Artists in a 32-Track Celebration, Curated by Joe Bonamassa
by Paul Cashmere
Joe Bonamassa has honoured one of the most towering figures in blues with the release of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, a sprawling 32-song tribute celebrating what would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday. Featuring more than 40 guest artists and released via Bonamassa’s KTBA Records, the album spans blues, rock, soul, and beyond, reflecting King’s enduring influence on generations of musicians.
The project grew from a simple realisation, Bonamassa says: “What we figured out was that nobody was really doing a tribute record to him. It wasn’t really on anyone’s radar. So in January of 2025, we decided to start the B.B. King Blues Summit 100 album.” Over the following months, he curated, produced, and recorded the project alongside co-producer Josh Smith, ensuring each track honoured the spirit of King’s music while allowing participating artists to bring their own interpretations.
At the centre of the release is the long-anticipated version of The Thrill Is Gone, featuring Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan. One of the most iconic songs in blues history, the track was approached with meticulous care. “For Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan doing The Thrill Is Gone, we used real strings, real horns. The budget was whatever it cost, because you only get one chance to do this correctly. And I think we nailed it,” Bonamassa explains.
The album’s production philosophy emphasises authenticity and collaboration. Rather than a conventional compilation, core tracks were recorded first, with artists invited to contribute to songs that held personal meaning. “We weren’t making sound-alikes,” Bonamassa says, “We played it in the spirit of B.B. King, but we did our own versions.” With over 50 musicians across 32 songs, the result is both expansive and cohesive, representing one of the largest gatherings of blues talent in decades.
The album features a roster that spans the intergenerational spectrum of blues music, including Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo’, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, George Benson, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Marcus King, Warren Haynes, Dion, Larkin Poe, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bobby Rush, Michael McDonald, Slash, Aloe Blacc, and Trombone Shorty. Bonamassa intentionally balanced iconic performers with emerging voices, creating a collection that feels both celebratory and forward-looking.
Bonamassa’s connection to King began early. Invited on tour at age 12, the mentorship shaped his understanding of musicianship, generosity, and responsibility within the blues community. That relationship underpins Blues Summit 100, guiding everything from artist selection to production decisions, and helping ensure the album reflects King’s legacy in both spirit and execution.
The release was rolled out gradually, beginning on King’s centennial in September 2025, allowing individual performances to shine before revealing the full album. It has drawn attention across national media and has been lauded for its scale, ambition, and reverence. Proceeds support the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, ensuring the blues continue to thrive through education, preservation, and direct support for musicians.
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 is available now digitally, as a double CD, and as a 180-gram triple LP vinyl edition. Bonamassa will bring the spirit of the album to stages throughout 2026, featuring select collaborators and tributes woven into live performances.
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – Full Tracklist
Disc 1:
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss feat. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Don’t Answer The Door feat. Marcus King
To Know You Is To Love You feat. Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks
Let The Good Times Roll feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt
Sweet Little Angel feat. Buddy Guy
When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) feat. Larry McCray
When Love Comes To Town feat. Slash, Shemekia Copeland & Myles Kennedy
The Thrill Is Gone feat. Chaka Khan & Eric Clapton
Watch Yourself feat. Jimmie Vaughan
Why I Sing The Blues feat. Bobby Rush
Sweet Sixteen feat. Jimmy Hall & Larry Carlton
Don’t You Want A Man Like Me feat. Larkin Poe
I’ll Survive feat. Keb’ Mo’
Heartbreaker feat. Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere feat. George Benson
Chains And Things feat. Gary Clark Jr.
Disc 2:
How Blue Can You Get feat. Warren Haynes
You Upset Me Baby feat. Chris Cain
Ghetto Woman feat. Ivan Neville
Night Life feat. Paul Rodgers
Ain’t Nobody Home feat. Jade MacRae & Robben Ford
Bad Case Of Love feat. Joanne Shaw Taylor
Never Make A Move Too Soon feat. Dion
Three O’Clock Blues feat. Marc Broussard
Think It Over feat. Train & Chris Buck
It’s My Own Fault feat. Kim Wilson
Every Day I Have The Blues feat. D.K. Harrell
Please Accept My Love feat. John Nemeth
So Excited feat. Aloe Blacc
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer feat. Dannielle De Andrea
Playin’ With My Friends
Better Not Look Down feat. Kirk Fletcher
U.S. Spring Tour 2026
February 21, South Bend, IN, The Morris Performing Arts Center
February 23, Cedar Rapids, IA, Paramount Theatre
February 25, Madison, WI, Overture Center for the Arts
February 27, Peoria, IL, Prairie Home Alliance Theater
February 28, Cincinnati, OH, Taft Theatre
March 2, Wilkes-Barre, PA, F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
March 4, Springfield, MA, Springfield Symphony Hall
March 6, Westbury, NY, Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
March 7, Pittsburgh, PA, Benedum Center
March 8, Red Bank, NJ, Count Basie Center for the Arts
March 10, Reading, PA, Santander Performing Arts Center
March 11, Virginia Beach, VA, Sandler Center
March 13, Durham, NC, DPAC
March 14, Greenville, SC, Bon Secours Wellness Arena
March 17, Knoxville, TN, Knoxville Civic Auditorium
March 19, Huntsville, AL, VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
March 20, Macon, GA, Atrium Health Amphitheater w/ special guest Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
March 21, Clearwater, FL, The BayCare Sound w/ special guest Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
March 25-29, Miami, FL, Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea XI
April 10-12, Miramar Beach, FL, Sound Wave Beach Weekend
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