Five veteran bluesmen with long and storied careers playing America's original musical artform as handed down through the years by the black men and women whose lives were shaped by tribulation and hardship in the American south, largely at the hands of slavery, and refined and electrified in the big citys up north after emancipation....

Long is the list of greats who formed and influenced these gentlemen today, and fortuitous circumstance brought them together while performing at Jamey's House of Music in Lansdowne PA, where they played with other well known blues acts.

Jamey's is one of the premiere blues rooms in the northeast with regular appearances by major national and international blues artists as well as regional and local players. AC Steel and the Perpetrators is one of the featured groups that calls Jamey's home. They are all highly accomplished players, and the band is tight and well oiled. AC Steel provides crisp guitar work and handles the vocals along with Glenn Bickel, and the combination of Hammond organ and Frank McKitty's tenor sax gives a distinct Chicago feel to the sound. Bassist Jamey Reilly and drummer Joe Biase drive a deep pocket for the band to swing in.

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Hailing from Durham, NC, Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who’s been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work, and his evolved musical style – combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. Jon has released nine solo albums to date, along with two albums with duo partner FJ Ventre, a Jon Shain Trio live album, and one album of co-writes with Joe Newberry.... Shain’s newest album, Restless Soul Syndrome, recorded at Good Luck Studio this past year, was released April 9, 2024. Shain is also the author of the music books Gettin’ Handy With the Blues – a Tribute to the Legacy of W.C. Handy and Jon Shain’s Fingerstyle Guitar Method, both published by Mel Bay Publications. In 2019, Shain won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in the solo/duo category.

Jon relishes musical partnerships with many accomplished players, and will share the stage with Bob Beach, one of the technically finest and most inventive harmonica virtuosi in today's musical world. Bob has for many decades provided a profoundly soulful counterpoint to some of the most well known artists in the world.

Jon grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a Merrimack River mill-town that had already seen its better days by the time he was a child in the 1970s. His family’s business was a small textile dyeing company, and he worked in the factory during the summers throughout his teens. At the same time, Shain began to discover his love of American roots music and songwriting, specifically drawn to the narratives about regular people and themes of social justice.

Shain headed south to North Carolina in 1986, to study American History at Duke University and to continue his musical journey, as well. In addition to studying with jazz professor Paul Jeffrey, he also had the good fortune to learn the piedmont blues tradition firsthand by playing in Big Boy Henry’s backing band. It was at this time that Shain also got to meet and play with John Dee Holeman and a number of the great older NC blues players. Shain's classes in school were heavily concentrated in southern history, English, and world religions. That mixture of the academic environment and the real-world blues music is what has most informed his musical direction.

Shain cut his touring teeth from 1989-1998 founding the Chapel Hill, NC folk-rock group, Flyin' Mice and their spin-off group, WAKE. The band performed with acts such as David Grisman, Tony Rice Unit, Hot Tuna, and the Dixie Dregs, released four CDs, and played clubs, schools, and festivals up and down the East Coast, building a legion of fans.

After the band’s breakup, Shain went solo, returning to his roots by touring in the folk and blues circuit. Shain has also become a sought after guitar teacher and studio producer. In 2021, he produced Donna Herula’s blues radio chart-topping album, Bang at the Door.

Over the last several years, Shain has headlined listening rooms both as a solo and with duo partner FJ Ventre throughout the US and he's done two solo tours in Europe. He has opened shows for John Hiatt, Keb’ Mo’, Little Feat, and many other roots legends. When Shain is not recording, producing other artists, or performing, he stays busy giving private instruction in guitar, and teaching group workshops in songwriting and blues guitar.

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A consummate multi-talented entertainer and performer, Ty Stephens has performed around the world, gaining an international audience with a cool, urban-tinged adult-contemporary sound, based on jazz, funk and RandB. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ty Stephens is an award-winning singer/songwriter, entertainer and recording artist (Grand Prize Winner Jazzmobile/Anheuser-Busch Solo Jazz Vocalist Competition, NYC, 2006, and First Place Winner RandB/Blues Category of the International Songwriting Competition 2002 for "Somethin' Strange"), co-writer and original cast of "From My Hometown," co-writer/production, choreographer and star of the long-running "Shades Of Harlem" revue show, and co-writer/production, choreographer and currently starring in the new off-Broadway hit "On Kentucky Avenue" (Songbirds Unlimited Productions/StepForward Entertainment).... He has appeared on Broadway in the original productions of "Sophisticated Ladies" and "Marilyn, An American Fable". He has recorded with industry legends Harry Belafonte, Peggi Lee, dance music icon Dan Hartmann, disco pioneer Nile Rogers ("Beevis and Butthead"), master drummer Baba Olatunji, renowned trumpeter Chuck Mangione, singer Gwen McCrae, Def Jam premier artist Alyson Williams, among others.

"Deeper In Fantasy: "The whole album seems to be a sort of musical aphrodisiac..." - The St Croix Avis (U.S. Virgin Islands)

"Jazz-influenced baritone, with its haunting gospel overtones..." - The Sunday Mail Magazine (Zimbabwe)

"Deeper In Fantasy: It's the best album by a male artist I've come across this year..." - Soul Express Magazine (Finland)

Ty studied dance and performed with John Hines Dance Theatre (Philadelphia), in New York at the Alvin Ailey School, The Rod Rodgers Dance Co., Fred Benjamin Dance Co., Chamber Dance Ensemble, and has also appeared in "The Wiz" (summer stock) and "The Genius of Ray Charles" (Spirit Productions - London, (UK), Lyon (France), Mumbai (India), Niagara Falls (Canada)), to name a few.

He has also starred in numerous TV and radio commercials, including KMart, ATandT, Burger King, McDonald's, Yugo cars, Colt 45 Malt Liquor (with Billy Dee Williams), Mars Bars (with Luke Perry), Crystal Light, SOS Soap Pads, and many more.

Ty appears regularly in Russia as a guest artist with Russian drummer Oleg Butman's jazz trio and sax great Igor Butman's Big Band. He celebrated his fifth tour of Japan with superstar Toshi Kubota's 25 Anniversary "Gold Skool" tour 2011-2012, a sixth tour, "L.O.K.," in 2015, and a seventh in the summer of 2017!

"Aquarian Mind: Smooth and extraordinary vocalist backed by great soulful music... very true to the art of music." - GHP Radio (Oklahoma)

"Aquarian Mind: ...worth the waiting... above bar... magnificent!" - Soul Express.Net (U.K)

With his band (the) SoulJaazz, Ty has spent six seasons at the world famous Sporting Club in Monte Carlo as the Sporting Orchestra and enjoyed four tours of eastern Russia through the U.S. State Department and The Vladivostok Philharmonic, and most recently, a second tour of Busan, Korea, also with the U.S. State Department.

Ty's original recordings include "Aquarian Mind," "Deeper In Fantasy" and "Musichameleon", plus the brand-new "Good Medicine". The band is currently completing two new releases: a spiritual LP and a standard jazz CD.

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Jamey's is one of the longest running blues jams in the region, as well as the #1 original Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam...

Jamey's Blues Union is the cream of the amazing players that call Jamey's home. It is the distillation, the essence, the A list if you will. Focussing on classic blues, mostly the less famous B side gems from great artists past and present - including many originals, frontmen Philadelphia Slim and Roger Girke soar on the deep pocket provided by Joe Biase and Jamey Reilly. Take it from the fans - these cats bring the heat.

Blues lovers and players know that this is THE place to come for some really indescribably delicious all-day breakfast cooked to order by Chef Suyun, a dozen thirst-quenching ice-cold beers on tap from Conshohocken Brewing Company as well as wines and mixed drinks, fresh ground coffee and espressos, superb live blues music, great service and friendly people. The vibe is home-like and cool, and the sound is second to none.

Jamey's provides a full professional grade backline, so players only need to bring their instrument to jump up on stage and jam.

The open mic jam runs from 1 pm to 3 pm, and the host band lays down a set from noon to 1 pm to get things rolling and then supports guest jammers as needed. The always rocking SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH rocks a HAPPY HOUR from noon to 1pm. Featuring two bucks off draft beers and hard ciders, and a dollar off wines and mixed drinks, and a 10% discount on all menu items!

Admission is 100% free! Plus, it is wheelchair accessible, and has plenty of free local parking. Being right in the center of downtown Lansdowne, next to the train station, there is abundant public transportation as well.

Blues lovers new and old can come to play, eat, drink, chat and enjoy a day soaked in the blues. Guests also like to host gatherings or parties during the brunch, as there are tables and chairs for dining in our stage side Little Art Gallery, and comfortable seats to listen to the music - and it does not cost them a thing to meet up there! No reservations are needed. Just load up some friends and head on down!

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The Philadelphia Blues Society Presents is a monthly showcase of member artists and bands or working artists invited by the society.... The Philadelphia Blues Society is a member, charitable activity and community supported, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, EIN 93-3829904, whose goal is to support “The Blues” as an African American cultural tradition, widely acknowledged as “America’s Original Musical Artform” which has become a wholly American experience across all races and ages.

The Philadelphia Blues Society is a Blues Foundation Affiliate.

Formed in 2023, the Philadelphia Blues Society exists to fulfill its mission by enabling live performance and helping to educate the community about the history and expression of a truly American artform. Our goal is to spread the love of The Blues!

The mission of the Philadelphia Blues Society is to present, promote and preserve the blues and in all its forms throughout the greater Philadelphia region and support local, regional and national talent, nurturing an appreciation of the blues in school and community settings.

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Two popular Philadelphia base bands are looking forward to a night of great music at the legendary Jamey's and hope you'll come out to support original indie music!...

Super Sabbath is a Philadelphia-area classic rock band with a spirit for creating raw, passionate unfiltered musical ideas both on stage and in the studio. The band is devoted to finding new exciting sounds, while still honoring the ideas of their inspirations. Super Sabbath’s sound is born from the spirit of 60s-70s pop, rock, and blues. The band’s inspiration comes from bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd, and Rush.

Super Sabbath’s self-titled debut album was released in November 2023. The album is a 7 song classic rock journey that encompasses their first year playing as a unit and highlights their musical prowess and growth over the period spent preparing it.

Since the release of their fist single “Unbroken By Its Time”, the band has accumulated over 5,000 all time listeners and over 12,000 streams on Spotify alone. The band has performed around Philadelphia and surrounding venues on the Main Line.

David Lopez - Drums Will Christman - Bass Jude Nieuwenhuijsen - Guitar

Brothers Ian and Quinn Martin began working together under the name The Bonsai Children around March of 2025 after deciding to form an in-house family unit of songwriting, performing, and producing. Ian and Quinn would play all the instruments in the studio recordings and then have friends and other fellow musicians join in to play the music live, transforming their sound into something even more unique when performed outside of the studio. The group name originates from Ian’s solo career as "Nai", a continuation of his last released album: Spirits Of The Bonsai Children.

All of their work is created and released by the two of them. Composed, performed, mixed, mastered, designed, and published without any outside help or guidance. 100% organic noise and sound.

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Emanuel Casablanca: A Blues Maestro Redefining the Genre Emanuel Casablanca, a native of Brooklyn, New York, emerges as a beacon of authenticity and passion in the realm of blues and blues-rock music. With his upcoming third studio album, "Hollywood Forever," poised for release on April 11, 2025, Casablanca continues to enthrall audiences with his unparalleled talent and boundless creativity.... Throughout his illustrious career, Casablanca has left an indelible mark on the music industry, collaborating with an impressive array of legendary musicians. From Grammy-nominated Eric Gales to world-renowned guitarist Paul Gilbert, and Blues Music Award winners Albert Castiglia and Jimmy Carpenter, Casablanca's discography reads like a who's who of the blues world. His previous albums have seen him join forces with the likes of Blues Music Award nominee Kat Riggins, Elliot Sharp Blues Music Award nominee Joanna Connor, bassist and producer Bill Laswell, and drummer Daxx Nielsen, among others.

But Casablanca's impact transcends mere musical collaborations. As an outlaw blues musician unafraid to confront societal injustices head-on, he has founded The Emanuel Casablanca Foundation, a platform dedicated to promoting human rights and social justice causes worldwide. Through the foundation, Casablanca seeks to raise awareness and support for nonprofit organizations addressing a myriad of issues, from civil rights to environmental sustainability via live performances and event production. One of these events include the Hudson Blues and Comedy Festival, which will premiere on Juneteenth 2025 in Hudson, New York.

In addition to his musical and philanthropic endeavors, Casablanca is poised to make his mark in the world of cinema with his upcoming starring role in "Broken Strings," a film by M.G. Cinecraft. His multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication to his craft continue to cement his status as a true Renaissance artist.

With "Hollywood Forever," Emanuel Casablanca invites listeners on a transcendent journey through the soul-stirring sounds of blues and blues-rock. This album serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre.

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Jamey's is one of the longest running blues jams in the region, as well as the #1 original Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam.... Blues lovers and players know that this is THE place to come for some really indescribably delicious all-day breakfast cooked to order by Chef Suyun, a dozen thirst-quenching ice-cold beers on tap from Conshohocken Brewing Company as well as wines and mixed drinks, fresh ground coffee and espressos, superb live blues music, great service and friendly people. The vibe is home-like and cool, and the sound is second to none.

This day we put the focus on the wives and mothers of the world and pay tribute to them in the best way we know how!

Jamey's provides a full professional grade backline, so players only need to bring their instrument to jump up on stage and jam.

The open mic jam runs from 1 pm to 3 pm, and the host band lays down a set from noon to 1 pm to get things rolling and then supports guest jammers as needed. The always rocking SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH rocks a HAPPY HOUR from noon to 1pm. Featuring two bucks off draft beers and hard ciders, and a dollar off wines and mixed drinks, and a 10% discount on all menu items!

Admission is 100% free! Plus, it is wheelchair accessible, and has plenty of free local parking. Being right in the center of downtown Lansdowne, next to the train station, there is abundant public transportation as well.

Blues lovers new and old can come to play, eat, drink, chat and enjoy a day soaked in the blues. Guests also like to host gatherings or parties during the brunch, as there are tables and chairs for dining in our stage side Little Art Gallery, and comfortable seats to listen to the music - and it does not cost them a thing to meet up there! No reservations are needed. Just load up some friends and head on down!

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John Flynn is an American singer-songwriter and activist known for his powerful music and tireless efforts on behalf of the lost and the lonely, the shackled and scarred....

His career has embodied an authentic troubadour odyssey that moved legendary folk DJ Gene Shay to call Flynn "the most quintessential folk singer in my life", and Deana McCloud, Executive Director of the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma to write, "John Flynn is the real deal. His work follows in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, and other social justice troubadours as he speaks the truth and gives a voice to society's disenfranchised. His work fills your heart and opens your eyes as he continues to walk the walk of a true advocate for equality, justice, and peace."

Long-time friend and Flynn champion, Kris Kristofferson has called John "an important artist whose work in prisons, rehabs, and half-way houses is distilled into the truth and the beauty of heartfelt and heartwarming slices of life". In 2007 Kris cited Flynn to TV Guide Magazine as one of his favorite country artists, saying, "He's got a great heart and I like the way he thinks".

You can hear a pin drop when Philadelphia-based songwriter Aaron Nathans steps up to the mic. People in the know quiet down, lean in, and listen. His songs bob, weave, transfix you with their beauty and groove, and then twist when you least expect it. A former newspaper man with a wide-ranging baritone, he brings a journalist’s eye to tell wider truths about the human condition by shining the light on the smallest details. A leader in the Philadelphia community of songwriters, Aaron is a three-time Kerrville New Folk Finalist, a 2026 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival emerging artist, and a winner of the South Florida Folk Festival songwriting contest.

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For more than 25 years, “4AM” has been entertaining audiences throughout the Delaware Valley with its unique blend of musical talent, versatility, and professionalism....

The band’s core lineup features:   Derrick Baldwin – Keyboards and Vocals
Harry Lindsay – Percussions
Kevin James – Drums
Ron Bass – Reeds
Red – Guitars  

Depending on the venue and event, “4AM” can expand to a seven-piece ensemble by adding a featured female vocalist and a violinist.  

The group has built a strong reputation through long-standing performances, including providing live music for Manayunk Brewery’s Sunday Brunch for more than 15 years and Charley B’s First Fridays in Philadelphia for over 11 years. While both engagements were temporarily paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, they resumed shortly thereafter. They are frequent contributors to many of the area’s outdoor festivals, including “Roxtoberfest” in Roxborough and The West Chester FoodFest.   

4AM specializes in a wide variety of musical styles, including RandB, reggae, soul, pop, adult contemporary, jazz, and dance music. Their ability to adapt to different audiences and occasions is what sets them apart. In fact, their name reflects their philosophy: “4AM” stands for “For All Music,” a testament to the band’s commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment across genres.

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James Barnes — known to audiences throughout the region as JB — carries the blues in his blood. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in New Jersey after his family moved east in 1965, he grew up steeped in the sound and spirit of the music. On his father’s side, JB traces his lineage back to Mississippi, the wellspring from which so much of this tradition flows. Those “Mississippi Roots” became more than just family history; they formed the bedrock of his artistic calling. ... JB didn’t come to the blues casually. He studied the greats—those who laid the path before him, those who continue to shape the form today. That study became devotion, and in 2016, the New Jersey Blues Hall of Fame recognized that devotion, honoring him as a “Great Blues Artist.” His first recording, JB’s Favorite Things (2023), established him as an independent artist with something genuine to say. His long-running band, BBD Rhythm and Blues, which he founded in 2012, has been carrying that message across clubs, festivals, and concert halls throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware for more than a decade.

JB’s mission is plain spoken yet profound: to honor the artists who came before him while ensuring the blues remains vibrant in the present. His latest project makes that mission personal. My Mississippi Roots, released during September 2025, is more than a record — it is a testimony. The title track tells the story of JB’s father, Jerry Lee Barnes Sr., a man of quiet determination who journeyed from the deep South to the industrial North in search of work and a better life for his family. “His Mississippi Roots,” JB says, “are my Mississippi Roots.”

Produced by guitarist, songwriter, and longtime friend Anthony Krizan, My Mississippi Roots combines JB’s storytelling with contributions from a host of musicians — including his son, Jarred “Arktkt” Barnes — whose playing brings fresh fire to the tradition. The record traverses the landscape of the blues and beyond: original compositions, heartfelt tributes, and reimagined classics all rendered with conviction. From the introspective ache of “Gotta Make a Change” to the celebratory groove of “The JB Shuffle”; from the political bite of “When Did Crime Become Legal” to the reimagined soul of “Sara Smile” and the deep homage to Carey Bell in “Lonesome Stranger” — Anthony was masterful with co-writing of several of the originals along with providing some great, heartfelt blues guitar playing throughout the entire record. These songs embody both personal narrative and cultural continuity.

The record closes with “Stand Up and Give Peace and Love a Chance,” a call to conscience rooted in JB’s belief in the blues as a force for uplift as well as expression. Drawing on the 1970s funk and RandB spirit of Sly Stone, the song underscores what JB has been demonstrating his whole career: that the blues is living history, a tradition that speaks to struggle and survival, but also to joy, resilience, and the unyielding hope for something better.

For JB, keeping the blues alive is not about nostalgia — it is about honoring roots while growing branches. With My Mississippi Roots, he extends his family’s story into the continuum of blues history, reminding us that the music is as much about where we’ve been as it is about where we still hope to go.

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Jamey's is one of the longest running blues jams in the region, as well as the #1 original Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam.... Blues lovers and players know that this is THE place to come for some really indescribably delicious all-day breakfast cooked to order by Chef Suyun, a dozen thirst-quenching ice-cold beers on tap from Conshohocken Brewing Company as well as wines and mixed drinks, fresh ground coffee and espressos, superb live blues music, great service and friendly people. The vibe is home-like and cool, and the sound is second to none.

This day we put the focus on the wives and mothers of the world and pay tribute to them in the best way we know how!

Jamey's provides a full professional grade backline, so players only need to bring their instrument to jump up on stage and jam.

The open mic jam runs from 1 pm to 3 pm, and the host band lays down a set from noon to 1 pm to get things rolling and then supports guest jammers as needed. The always rocking SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH rocks a HAPPY HOUR from noon to 1pm. Featuring two bucks off draft beers and hard ciders, and a dollar off wines and mixed drinks, and a 10% discount on all menu items!

Admission is 100% free! Plus, it is wheelchair accessible, and has plenty of free local parking. Being right in the center of downtown Lansdowne, next to the train station, there is abundant public transportation as well.

Blues lovers new and old can come to play, eat, drink, chat and enjoy a day soaked in the blues. Guests also like to host gatherings or parties during the brunch, as there are tables and chairs for dining in our stage side Little Art Gallery, and comfortable seats to listen to the music - and it does not cost them a thing to meet up there! No reservations are needed. Just load up some friends and head on down!

Read more