Black Rock Brews & Brews Neal, Schofield & More

Sportsmens & The WNY Blues Society present

2nd Annual Black Rock Brews & Blues

Kenny Neal, Matt Schofield, Tommy Z & More

Sunday, August 11, 2024 2pm $40

Rain or Shine. Bring a chair.

Kenny Neal

Kenny Neal is truly, The Real Deal when it comes to blues and roots music. He’s a second generation Bluesman and one of the strongest modern proponents of Louisiana Swamp Blues! Kenny, the eldest of 6 brothers and 3 sisters, was born October 14, 1957 to Raful and Shirley Neal. His Dad, a harmonica player ran with and played with Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo. Slim gave Kenny his first harmonica at age 3 and at age 13 Kenny started playing in his Dad’s band. At age 17 Kenny was recruited by no other than Buddy Guy to play bass in his band. He is more than cognizant of Louisiana’s strong history of Blues but he is imaginative enough to take those traditions, combine them with a contemporary sound and steer the genre into the future.

Kenny cut his debut record for famed Florida producer Bob Greenlee, initially released by Kingsnake Records in 1988 and then reissued the following year by Alligator Records under the name of Big News from Baton Rouge. Kenny went on to cut 4 albums for the Alligator Label between 1989 and 1994. In 1991, Kenny starred on Broadway in the acclained play, Mulebone which found him performing acoustic versions of Langston Hughes’ poetry set to the music of Taj Mahal.

In 1998, Kenny signed with Telarc Records releasing 3 records between 1998 and 2001. Since then, Kenny has released numerous records on the Blind Pig Label, True Life Entertainment, Cleopatra and his current label, Ruf Records not to mention a number of independent releases. In 2017, Kenny released Bloodline on the Cleopatra Label and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contempoary Blues Album.  Kenny is a fixture at the Blues Music Awards and in 2017 he added Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Contemporary Blues Artist to his collection of BMA’s. He was again awarded Best Contemporary Blues Artrist in 2019.

Kenny’s latest release, Straight from The Heart came out in May of 2022 on the Ruf Label and includes collaborations with Grammy Winner, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Tito Jackson and Rockin’ Dopsie. Neal used this record to rewind his music to the his earliest days and pay homage to the songs and music he heard played on his family’s phonograph. When listening to it, you can tell how much fun Kenny and his band are having and how each song makes you feel like you are right there with them in Baton Rouge. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Since the Pandemic hit in 2020, Kenny came off the road and chose to spend most of his time on his ranch with family and friends in Baton Rouge. That was then, This is NOW. Kenny Neal and his Big 7 Piece Band are Better than Ever and ready to hit the road again in 2023. They were the band EVERYONE was left talking about after their performance at the 2022 Blues Music Awards in Memphis. Kenny Neal is The Blues. He has lived it and he is the torch bearer of it.

Matt Schofield

British born and now US-based, Matt Schofield continues to push the frontiers and reshape the boundaries of the British Blues tradition. A multi-award winning guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter, producer and band leader, after more than 30 years of performing, and 20 years into his solo career, Schofield's impact as one of the most influential and distinctive guitarists of his generation is unquestionable.

Along with a storied career that has taken him and his band to nearly 30 countries worldwide comes awards, industry and critical acclaim - three time "British Blues Guitarist of the Year", "British Blues Album of the Year" and the first guitarist inducted into the "British Blues Awards Hall of Fame". Mojo Magazine "Blues Album of the Year"and Guitar & Bass Magazines "Top Ten British Blues Guitarist of All Time" alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Green.

Schofield's fluid and melodic playing and iconic tone has inspired legions of guitarists, and a sought after line of signature instruments and equipment including a Two-Rock Matt Schofield amplifier.

What remains ever impressive is Schofield live. From main stages at prestigious festivals such as Montreal and North Sea Jazz, to packed houses in legendary clubs like New York's Iridium or London's 100 Club, Schofield's ability to connect with audiences immediately and profoundly is unforgettable. His authenticity, mastery of guitar, emotive vocals, and improvisational brilliance are brought to life within his innovative original compositions.

A renowned musical educator, in 2018 Matt released “Blues Speak”, his highly acclaimed TrueFire instructional series. As a clinician he has taught from Tokyo to Texas and all points in between.

Matt’s upcoming record reunites him with his original and much loved organ trio line-up, to mark the 20th anniversary of the album and band that launched his solo career.

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 Awards and commentary:

• British Blues Awards Guitarist of the Year 2010, 2011, 2012 which garnered him an induction into the British Blues Hall of Fame


• Voted Blues Album of the Year (2011) Mojo Magazine


• Penguin Book of Blues Recordings cited as one of only two living British artists to achieve the maximum four-star rating


• Guitar & Bass magazine’s Top Ten British Blues Guitarists

“In Schofield, the UK has produced the best blues guitarist from any country in decades.”  L.A. DAILY NEWS, USA

“The best of this generation’s European players. His feel for the music is incredible.”  VINTAGE GUITAR, USA

“Top ten British Blues guitarists of all time.”  GUITAR & BASS, UK

“The UK’s most exciting blues guitar player.”  GUITARIST, UK