Blues icon. Soul man. Rock and roller. Robert Cray is all these things – and more. The Georgiaborn, Washington-raised musician first picked up a guitar after seeing The Beatles on TV then, having witnessed Jimi Hendrix perform in Seattle, determined that his destiny would also follow a similar path. And so he has: across the past half century Robert Cray’s developed into one of American music’s most singular artists.

“I guess you’d have to say that we were lucky,” reflects Cray on his life in music, “because, growing up in the 1960s, the different music played on the radio really opened us up. I mean, we even had Albert Collins play our high School graduation party.”

From forming a teenage garage band, through to striding the stage alongside several of the world’s greatest guitarists, Robert Cray’s story is one of struggle and commitment. Struggle and commitment that led to Cray enjoying phenomenal success – selling millions of albums and countless concert tickets, winning five Grammy Awards, being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, recipient of the Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award, designing two signature model Fender guitars – yet for Robert what’s always mattered most is the music. Every note he plays counts, every song he sings is delivered as if it is his last: integrity and intensity are what has guided Cray’s musical career. He has never cheapened his output or delivered a substandard performance. Indeed, his commitment to making music of the highest standard has won Cray both a loyal audience and the respect of many of popular music’s most legendary figures.

Think about it: Robert Cray has shared stage and/or studio with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Albert Collins, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Memphis Horns and Hi Rhythm Section. Cray’s stinging guitar playing and soulful voice, his skills as a band leader and performer, mark him as keeper of the flame for American roots music, an artist who never fails to deliver.

“We were so lucky just be able to see them,” says Cray of trading guitar licks on stage with legends of blues, rock and soul, “let alone share the stage with them – what an experience!”

Cray’s rise to the top was, like his music, a slow burn, he first building a following in small towns across the Pacific Northwest. Even before Cray had a record deal he enjoyed local hero status – so much so in 1978 he was cast (as a musician) in Animal House, the blockbuster comedy that made John Belushi famous. 1978 was also the year Cray recorded his debut album, Who’s Been Talkin’, although Tomato Records’ internal problems held up Talkin’s release until 1980. And then, just as Talkin’ was winning great reviews, Tomato collapsed into bankruptcy. Got the blues? Young Robert certainly could have claimed he had them. But Cray isn’t given to complaining, instead he persevered, committed then, as he is now, to taking his music to the people.

After Tomato, Cray and his band – today consisting of Richard Cousins (bass guitar – there since high school days), Dover Weinberg (keyboards) and Les Falconer (drums) – used the momentum the album gave them to play further afield. By now Cray was buddies with a young guitarist from Texas: Stevie Ray Vaughan.

“We played in 1979 at the San Francisco Blues Festival,” recalls Cray, “and I watched Stevie’s show and he’s just smoking. Afterwards Richard and I went up and chatted with him and we just hit it off. Stevie was great – if we were in Austin he’d always come and join us on stage.”

Signing to Hightone, Cray’s 1983 album Bad Influence established him internationally: he was invited to play Carnegie Hall, toured Europe, later finding Eric Clapton recording Bad Influence’s title track. 1985 saw Cray’s False Accusations album increase his standing as the foremost singer of blues noir songs, while that year’s Showdown! – a sizzling collaboration with guitarists’ Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland – won Robert huge acclaim from blues musicians and fans: the new guy’s the real deal! Signing to Mercury Records, Cray’s 1986 album Strong Persuader ensured he became the first blues/soul musician to breakthrough in the MTV era.

Strong Persuader won Cray rave reviews from pop and rock critics, topped charts worldwide, saw Cray grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and winning the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Recording in 1988. Strong Persuader, with its songs of infidelity, guilt and unease, while not in any sense conventional Top 40 music, proved so strong an album it broke through barriers, sold millions of copies and would prove extremely influential (2026 being the 40th anniversary.) Cray’s breakthrough allowed both young and older blues and soul musicians to gain wide attention and radio play: John Lee Hooker’s career resurrection came soon after with The Healer, and Robert plays on that seminal album.

“It was great to be able to travel around the world,” says Cray of Strong Persuader’s success. “It afforded us a lot of great opportunities that we were lucky to experience.”

Cray’s being modest here: suddenly he found himself the hottest guitarist working – Tina Turner invited Robert to support her huge European tour (every night, after playing with his band, Cray would join Tina on stage to play A Change Is Gonna Come), then Keith Richards called, requesting Cray join the band backing Chuck Berry for Taylor Hackford’s celebratory feature length documentary Hail Hail Rock ‘N’ Roll. Here Cray not only got to play with the mercurial Berry (+Linda Ronstadt and Etta James, amongst many notable artists), he also formed a friendship with Steve Jordan, then drummer for the project and Richards’ solo band.

Now internationally famous, Cray found himself in intense demand: he toured with The Stones and played with B.B King, Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton. Headlining in noted music festivals – these included Glastonbury in the UK and Crossroads Guitar Festival in the US – and kept developing his sound over a selection of strong albums across the 1990s. Cray’s songwriting has addressed ageing, love, loneliness, domestic turmoil and US politics.

As an artist Robert Cray’s aged like fine wine – his voice has developed a greater range and expressiveness, this he’s put to use on masterful interpretations of such Southern soul standards as I Forgot To Be Your Lover (William Bell), Your Good Thing Is About To End (Mable John) and Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Otis Redding). At the same time, Cray’s guitar playing now possesses an additional depth, a growl that can hint at a caress then signal emotional upheaval.

His recent run of albums – 2014’s In My Soul, 2017’s Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm and 2020’s masterful That’s What I Heard (all produced by Steve Jordan: now the Stones’ drummer) – are amongst the very finest he’s made. Every song here is deeply felt, whether an agonized song of loss, an angry protest number, or a dance tune that gets audiences pumping (My Baby Likes To Boogaloo is great funky fun).

Across five decades Robert Cray has created a richly inclusive American music, revitalizing both blues and soul while rocking hard with the very best. To achieve 50 years in the music industry and still be as fresh and committed as when starting out is an achievement few can boast of but Cray can: he has released 19 studio albums, every one replete with his extremely distinctive songs, won five Grammy Awards and continues to make music that sounds like no one but Robert Cray. “All these years we have been fortunate to do what we love doing, playing the music we love playing,” says Cray with a smile. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.

VIP

• “Premium Merchandise Package Includes:
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  • Exclusive T-shirt
  • Autographed 8×10 Photo
  • Exclusive Guitar Keychain

Merchandise is shipped the week of the show date to the address provided at checkout and may arrive shortly before or after the show. This package does not include a meet and greet with the artist. Merchandise subject to change. For questions related to your VIP Package order, please email: VIP@ONELIVE.COM or call (877) 717-5816

Ricky Nye & Memorial Hall present
The Return of the 
Blues & Boogie Piano Summit 

Featuring Carl Sonny Leyland; St. Louis Steady Grinders; Ben Levin, and Ricky Nye.

Ricky Nye’s Blues & Boogie Piano Summit series delighted music lovers from across the region with performances by the top blues and boogie pianists from around the world from 1999 through 2017. By popular demand, that iconic evening of music is back and better than ever at historic Memorial Hall. Beloved Cincinnati pianist / vocalists Ricky Nye and Ben Levin share the stage with Ethan Leinwand & Valerie Kirchhoff (St. Louis Steady Grinders) and the legendary Carl Sonny Leyland (direct from California) in an unforgettable evening of traditional blues, boogie woogie and jazz, including piano duets and a grand finale to close the evening.

with Eli Gonzalez (tenor & baritone sax), Matt McCoy (bass) and Josiah Wolf (drums). 

Originally from the South Coast of England, CARL SONNY LEYLAND was drawn as a youngster to sounds of American music, including Traditional Jazz and Swing, Rock & Roll of the 1950s & early Country And Western.

At age 15 Leyland discovered boogie woogie. Captivated by the sound of the repeating eight to the bar left hand pattern, he was inspired to go to the piano & begin on the path that would become his life’s purpose.

Initially influenced by boogie woogie greats Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson & Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis, Leyland went on to fully explore the piano blues genre, becoming an authority on early & obscure styles such as those played by Cow Cow Davenport, Little Brother Montgomery, Montana Taylor, Roosevelt Sykes, Speckled Red, and others.

In 1988 Leyland came to New Orleans and became active on the club scene, quickly gaining a reputation for his authentic blues & early rock & roll stylings. He also toured with the Dallas based band Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets whose line up included blues great Sam Myers. In 1997 Leyland relocated to Southern California where he joined Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys with whom he toured for over three years. By this time his repertoire had expanded to include ragtime & early jazz styles which enabled him to become part of the traditional jazz scene around Los Angeles.

In the years since, Leyland has made frequent appearances at festivals, concerts, and recording sessions.

Whether playing solo or in a group setting Leyland possesses the necessary vocabulary to pay tribute to the greats of old, he refuses to be limit himself to this and prefers to let each performance be an opportunity to say something new. Carl’s repertoire spans the Ragtime era through the 1950s and includes a healthy amount of self written songs and instrumental compositions.

Based in St. Louis, MO, ETHAN LEINWAND (piano) and VALERIE KIRCHHOFF (vocal) are a husband and wife duo that specialize in blues, jazz and hokum from the 1920s and 30s. From the classic blues of the vaudeville stages to the low-down blues of St. Louis barrelhouses, Valerie and Ethan perform this old music with joy, compelling mastery, and an infectious energy.

Valerie Kirchhoff (aka “Miss Jubilee”) is a vocalist and bandleader born and raised in St. Louis. She has been performing professionally for over 15 years and is a beloved staple of the St. Louis music community. Valerie grew up singing in church and choir. In her teens she developed a passion for older styles of music and dance, which led her to forming her own band. She champions the female blues singers of the 20s and 30s, with a particular focus on the lesser known singers from St. Louis.

Ethan Leinwand has gained recognition as a leading exponent of barrelhouse blues piano. A self taught pianist, his unique repertoire stretches from ragtime to boogie-woogie, and tells the story of blues piano. He was born and raised in Middletown, CT and has lived in New Orleans and New York City. He moved to St. Louis in 2014 to connect with the city’s deep piano roots and thriving traditional music community.

The pair have performed across the United States – from Alaskan saloons to Mississippi riverboats – and throughout Europe. They make regular appearances at many of the nation’s top ragtime, boogie-woogie, and early jazz festivals.

“Ethan and Valerie have a certain brash tenderness that is very much appealing… and even when they perform songs that are by today’s standards “ancient,” they seem full of emotion and fun.” – Michael Steinman JAZZ LIVE

BEN LEVIN is a pianist, Hammond organist and vocalist based in Cincinnati, OH – his achievements include five albums releases on the Vizztone Label Group and he has four Blues Music Award nominations, including “Best Piano Player of the Year”.

Ben’s introduction to blues piano came at age eight when he began his years of instruction with Ricky Nye. A budding interest soon led to Ben sitting in with his father’s band The Heaters. Thanks to the encouragement of his father Aron and the guidance of Ricky, Ben began leading his own groups and has been a professional musician for over ten years. Along with a love for the music, Ben developed a true passion for the history of the blues, and has sought out collaborations with elders in the community.

In 2023 Ben collaborated with blues legend Lil’ Jimmy Reed and recorded/produced “Back To Baton Rouge”, on NOLA Blue, which reached number two on Living Blues radio charts. This success led to the pair touring around the U.S. with performances at The Chicago Blues Festival, The Cincy Blues Fest, and The Crescent City Blues Festival.

Ben’s 2024 release “Ben Levin Presents A Holiday Blues Revue”, featured collaborations with blues legends Lil’ Ed, Lil’ Jimmy Reed, and Sonny Hill, as well as Grammy nominated vocalist Candice Ivory. The album climbed into the top ten on Living Blues radio charts, and the single “Elf Boogie” received daily airplay on Sirius XM radio during the holiday season.

Ben maintains a busy touring schedule and has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and Japan. In addition to live performances, Ben has become a highly in-demand studio musician and has recorded for legendary Chicago blues artists such as Bob Stroger, Lil’ Ed, and Willie Buck.

Traditional blues, boogie woogie, and classic New Orleans jazz and R&B all come from the hands and heart of Cincinnati, OH pianist and vocalist RICKY NYE. The driving force behind the annual Blues & Boogie Piano Summit, previously held at The Southgate House in Newport, KY from 1999 to 2017, Ricky was inducted into the International Boogie Woogie Hall Of Fame in 2013, voted “Blues Artist Of The Year 2019” in Cincinnati’s CEA Awards, and “Best Local Musician” by CityBeat Magazine’s “Best Of Cincinnati 2018” reader’s poll.

Ricky began his performing career at age twelve with his family’s band, and in his twenties and thirties established working relationships and friendships with artists such as world renowned jazz guitarist Wilbert Longmire, Cincinnati blues icons Big Ed Thompson, H-Bomb Ferguson and fellow pianists Big Joe Duskin and Pigmeat Jarrett.

For over twenty years Ricky has maintained notoriety on an international level, performing his infectious blend of American roots music in solo, duo and combo settings in locales such as France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Vienna, England, and Switzerland. Ricky also celebrates a long-time performing and recording collaboration with “The Paris Blues Band”, the very finest purveyors of swingin’ blues and boogie in Paris, France, and in the U.S. Ricky leads a dynamic trio/quartet known as RICKY NYE INC.

“Known for its rollicking, foot-stomping jubilance, the boogie-woogie sound erupted from the American South during the late 1920s. This piano-centric subgenre of the jazz tradition drew its structural elements from the blues and spirituals, but introduced an intoxicating rhythmic complexity that inspired generations of young dancers. Ricky Nye is one of the nation’s leading players and preservationists of boogie-woogie, stunning audiences with unmatched authenticity, virtuosic speed and playful arrangements”- Vail Jazz