April 2026 Newsletter

Western New York Blues Society April 2026 Newsletter

Happy Spring Everyone! This month’s 716 show is the last one until October. In the meanwhile, if you need a blues fix, check out the “tear-out” page at the end of the newsletter for some ideas.

Contents

Blues Cruise – Save the Date!
April Show: Artist Spotlight on Tommy Z
May Bonus Show: The Great American Music Showcase – May 7
March Show Review by Ida Goeckel: Son Henry & The Revelators
Volunteer Opportunities
Tear-out: Get Yer Blues On

Save The Date:

2026 Blues Cruise

Sunday August 16

4-7 pm

2. April Show: Spotlight on Tommy Z

For the April 15 installment of the 716 Blues Series, the Western New York Blues Society is proud to feature Tommy Z, one of Buffalo’s most respected blues artists.

Tommy Z has built a career around a sound that blends traditional electric blues with elements of rock and soul. A strong guitarist and songwriter, he is known for performances that combine tight band grooves with expressive, melodic soloing. He has released several albums, including Blizzard of Blues,

Sometimes Nobody Knows, and Plug In and Play. His 2016 release Blizzard of Blues reached the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart, and he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

On stage, Tommy Z delivers confident, guitar-driven blues rooted in tradition but full of energy and personality. His shows remain a highlight of the Western New York blues scene for fans of live, authentic blues music.

YouTube Sneak Peek: Tommy Z YouTube Videos

Tommy Z will be playing live at Sportsmen’s Tavern on April 15, 7-10 pm. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for members

3. Bonus Show: The Great American Music Showcase #1

On May 7, The WNY Blues Society and The Buffalo Hive are teaming up to present The first of several Great American Music Showcases. This first one is a one-night lineup built around craft, rhythm, and real musical storytelling. Set inside Nietzsche’s, the event draws on Buffalo’s industrial past, when the promise of work brought people north during the Great Migration and from across the world, shaping Western New York into a true musical crossroads.

That history still lives in the music. Blues, jazz, folk, celtic, country and global rhythms met here, changed here, and continue to define the sound of the region.

From lap steel blues and Americana songwriting to celtic rhythms and improvisation, each artist carries that story forward. This is not a single genre night. It is a snapshot of the American melting pot, music built by hand and meant to be heard live. Mark your calendar, you don’t want to miss it!

4. Show Review – Son Henry & The Revelators

Reviewed by Ida Goeckel

The latest WNY Blues 716 Series brought a standout night with Son Henry and The Revelators, a band that blends experience, feel, and deep roots in the blues tradition. As Ida Goeckel writes, Son Henry is “no stranger to the blues,” bringing a decades-long career and a sound that moves easily between styles.

The band delivered “tight, funky, and fluid band energy,” locking into grooves that felt both polished and alive. Throughout the night, Son Henry showcased his range, moving seamlessly between instruments and styles, with vocals that shift “from raw, authentic roots style, to polished smoothness.”

The set mixed familiar blues with original material, all driven by strong storytelling and connection with the audience. Offstage, Ida found him “laid back, humble, and dedicated,” a reflection of the authenticity that carries through his music.

Look for Ida Goeckel’s full review and interview here:

https://thebuffalohive.com/review-profile-wny-blues-716-series-son-henry-and-the-revelators/

4. Volunteer Opportunities

The Western New York Blues Society is looking for volunteers to help support and grow our programs.

Education Chair
Lead the reestablishment of Blues in the Schools and youth mentoring programs. This role is ideal for someone passionate about blues education.
Contact: Scott Russell [email protected]
Volunteer Coordination Chair
Help ensure Society events are properly supported, and coordinate volunteers for concerts, festival tables, and membership drives.
Contact: Scott Russell [email protected]
Marketing Support Volunteers
Assist by taking photos and writing short reviews of shows we sponsor, and other blues events if interested.
Contact: Carolina Torres [email protected]

Tommy Z’s April 15 show is the wrap for our 2025-26 season of 716 Series. But don’t forget we still have AMJAM on the 18th! Stay tuned as we also have some pop-up events like the Great American Music Showcase on May 7th. This is the first of hopefully many showcases we will be doing in collaboration with the Buffalo Hive, and there’s an amazingly interesting and diverse line-up. Also, keep in mind that Rochester’s Son House Blues Night runs straight through the summer, so if you need a blues fix, it’s not that far to travel in nice weather.

Hope to see you there!

– Carolina.