If you’re a blues fan, what happened on June 22, 2026 is going to blow your mind. I break down an unforgettable night at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon as Chicago powerhouse Toronzo Cannon delivers a masterclass—and welcomes a shocking superstar guest.
If you’re a blues fan, what happened on June 22 is going to blow your mind. Stay with me through the words, videos, and photos!
Every once in a while, the stars align and the universe is in perfect synchronicity. If you were among the lucky audience members at Cadillac Zack’s Monday Night Blues Party, you witnessed a masterclass from headliner Toronzo Cannon. This Chicago musician’s performance was hard-hitting, powerful, and one thousand percent unforgettable.
Although the entire set spoke to me, a couple of highlights come to mind. “Missus from Mississippi” was intense, sexy, and fierce. Watching this left-handed maestro grab and play his guitar with such force was like witnessing an intense endurance test. Another standout was a track about women over 45, delivered with exceptional humor and edge. Noteworthy were gripping performances of “Signed a Bad Contract” and “Walk it Off.” As an added bonus, special guest guitarist Dennis Jones joined the band for a track and absolutely tore it up.
Joining Toronzo on vocals, guitar, and songwriting were Mike Hightower on bass and Robert Gates on drums. The set was smothered in soul, rhythm, and raw intensity. Toronzo has a brilliant knack for engaging with the audience while singing lyrics that tell vivid stories—some of which were adult-oriented and laced with comedy.
And then, the night turned even more electric in a completely unexpected way.
Whispers began moving through the packed, enthusiastic crowd at Tarzana’s Maui Sugar Mill Saloon. Word had it that a revered, generational blues superstar from Mississippi was standing right there in the venue.
I instantly turned into a giddy, wide-eyed 16-year-old! I jumped down from my perch at the back of the room and moved onto the main floor to see it for myself. Sure enough, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi, was casually hanging out in a dive-ish bar/venue in the San Fernando Valley in California.
I have seen Kingfish live twice before—both in much larger venues—when he was still just around 19 and 20. When Toronzo invited him up to the stage, the moment was purely surreal. But even with that legendary surprise, the night belonged first and foremost to Alligator Records’ Toronzo Cannon, an artist who already had the room completely in the palm of his hand.
Opening the night was the Linn Holmes Band. Consisting of drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, and three vocalists, the stage was literally full to capacity. They delivered a high-energy set focused on pop, rock, and blues that perfectly warmed up the audience for the headliner.
Thanks to Cadillac Zack for consistently knowing the who’s who in the blues world and giving us fans the opportunity to see world-class musicians every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night.
the bluezy redhead
