Chicago Bluesman Toronzo Cannon Performs At DNC Party In Philadelphia
Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon appeared at a private, invite-only Democratic National Committee event hosted by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other dignitaries on Wednesday, July 27 at Philadelphia's World Cafe Live. In addition to performing a full set with his band, Cannon sat in with Blues Traveler for a crowd-pleasing Sweet Home Chicago. According to Chicago Magazine, the event, dubbed Celebrate Chicago, “is the buzz, the one everyone wants to go to. It’s the hot party."
Cannon -- a full-time Chicago Transit Authority bus operator -- has become one of Chicago's most recognized and most popular bluesmen through the sheer force of his music, his songs, his live charisma, and most impressively, his passion for what he is doing. He’s battled his way to the top of the ultra-competitive Windy City blues scene, has already played multiple tours of Europe and continues to deliver roof-raising performances around the U.S.A.
His label debut, The Chicago Way, is comprised of all self-penned songs, inspired by his deep, homegrown Chicago roots and powered by his blistering guitar playing and soul-baring vocals. Cannon’s songs – from searing blues anthems to swinging shuffles to soulful ballads to roof-raising rockers – tell timeless stories of common experiences in uncommon ways.
He’s played the Chicago Blues Festival on ten separate occasions, either as a sideman, a special guest or, most recently in June as a main stage headliner. He's been featured on Chicago's WGN-TV and WTTW-TV. When he’s home, Cannon drives a Chicago Transit Authority bus by day and performs by night. Using every vacation day and day off and working four ten-hour shifts a week, Cannon arranges his schedule to gig out of town as much as possible. It isn't easy, but, like all of the Chicago greats who have come before him, blues is his calling. "I am proud to be part of a movement,” he says, anxious to hit the road and bring his music to new fans in new places. “I’m proud to be standing on the shoulders of every great Chicago blues musician who came before me."
