Joe Bonamassa – Tribute B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – A Last Preview

 

Joe Bonamassa - Tribute B.B. King's Blues Summit 100 - A Last Preview

Joe Bonamassa Offers a Final Preview of the Landmark, 32-Song Tribute
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100

Featuring Warren Haynes, Dion, Marc Broussard, Ivan Neville, Dannielle De Andrea & Josh Smith

Joe Bonamassa returns with ‘Vol. V of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100,’ unveiling the final five songs to be released ahead of the full album’s arrival on February 6th. Out now via KTBA Records, this latest instalment completes the monthly rollout of the landmark centennial tribute, bringing together a powerful group of vocalists and musicians to honour the enduring legacy of B.B. King.

The release follows a wave of national attention for the project, including a recent CBS Mornings feature that explored Bonamassa’s personal history with King alongside the making of Blues Summit 100. Esquire featured the album in its list of the Most Anticipated Albums of 2026, alongside releases by The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Mumford & Sons, Lana Del Rey, Madonna, and more.

The new volume features “Three O’Clock Blues” feat. Marc Broussard & Josh Smith, “How Blue Can You Get” feat. Warren Haynes, “Ghetto Woman” feat. Ivan Neville, and “Never Make A Move Too Soon” feat. Dion and “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer” feat. Dannielle De Andrea. Together, the tracks spotlight King’s unmatched vocal catalogue and emotional range, pairing timeless material with artists deeply connected to the spirit of the blues.

Leading the release is “Three O’Clock Blues,” B.B. King’s first ever single, reimagined here with Marc Broussard. “Marc is one of those dudes that can sing the phone book,” says producer Josh Smith. “When we tracked this song, I immediately thought he would kill it. It was BB’s first ever single and the original vocal is out of sight. It had to be a world class singer to pull it off!!!”

On “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer,” Dannielle De Andrea delivers a commanding performance on one of King’s most demanding vocals. “Dannielle besides being a world class human is just a world class singer,” Smith says. “This is another amazing B.B. vocals that needed an amazing singer to do it justice. The band is crushing on this track as well.”

Joe Bonamassa returns today with Vol. V of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, unveiling the final five songs to be released ahead of the full album’s arrival on February 6th. Out now via KTBA Records, this latest instalment completes the monthly rollout of the landmark centennial tribute, bringing together a powerful group of vocalists and musicians to honour the enduring legacy of B.B. King. The release follows a wave of national attention for the project, including a recent CBS Mornings feature that explored Bonamassa’s personal history with King alongside the making of Blues Summit 100. Esquire featured the album in its list of the Most Anticipated Albums of 2026, alongside releases by The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Mumford & Sons, Lana Del Rey, Madonna, and more. The new volume features “Three O’Clock Blues” feat. Marc Broussard & Josh Smith, “How Blue Can You Get” feat. Warren Haynes, “Ghetto Woman” feat. Ivan Neville, and “Never Make A Move Too Soon” feat. Dion and “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer” feat. Dannielle De Andrea. Together, the tracks spotlight King’s unmatched vocal catalogue and emotional range, pairing timeless material with artists deeply connected to the spirit of the blues. Leading the release is “Three O’Clock Blues,” B.B. King’s first ever single, reimagined here with Marc Broussard. “Marc is one of those dudes that can sing the phone book,” says producer Josh Smith. “When we tracked this song, I immediately thought he would kill it. It was BB’s first ever single and the original vocal is out of sight. It had to be a world class singer to pull it off!!!” On “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer,” Dannielle De Andrea delivers a commanding performance on one of King’s most demanding vocals. “Dannielle besides being a world class human is just a world class singer,” Smith says. “This is another amazing B.B. vocals that needed an amazing singer to do it justice. The band is crushing on this track as well.”
Photo Credit: © TT News Agency / Alamy

“How Blue Can You Get,” famously captured on Live at the Regal, finds Warren Haynes stepping into one of the most revered moments in King’s catalog. “This song and the Live at The Regal version is a pillar of B.B.’s catalog,” Smith explains. “We needed someone serious to pull it off and Warren is that guy. Warren is one of the most talented and one of the kindest artists in the business without a doubt. He was so excited to do this track, and it shows in the performance. A pure joy!!”

Ivan Neville brings emotional weight and restraint to “Ghetto Woman,” a song whose subject matter remains as resonant today as when King first recorded it. “Ivan Neville is a true master,” says Smith. “His vocal here on one of B.B. ’s greatest songs it is so emotional. Again, the subject matter is so impactful that it requires someone who can really convey those emotions. It honestly may be my favorite track. The mix is incredible and Lemar’s drum track is amazing.”

The volume closes with “Never Make A Move Too Soon,” featuring Dion, whose lifelong connection to the blues shaped his approach to the song. “What more can be said about Dion? He’s a true legend,” Smith says. “He requested this as his all-time favorite B.B. song. It’s such a classic track with such a great vibe. Love the crowd noise and percussion and Joe’s solo and Marc Douthit’s sax solo are so great.”

Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 was created with the full support of the Estate of B.B. King and The B.B. King Music Company. The project brings together an intergenerational cast of artists, each invited to interpret a song that held personal meaning for them, resulting in a wide-ranging portrait of King’s influence across blues, rock, soul, and beyond.

Across its four volumes, the album features more than thirty guest artists, including Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo’, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Michael McDonald, Shemekia Copeland, Slash, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Marcus King, Larkin Poe, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Paul Rodgers, Aloe Blacc, and many others. The album’s title nods to King’s Grammy-winning 1993 release Blues Summit, reflecting the same collaborative spirit on an expanded scale.

The project is rooted in Bonamassa’s own history with B.B. King, who first invited him on tour when he was just 12 years old. That early mentorship left a lasting impression and shaped Bonamassa’s approach to both music and community.

While Vol. V completes the pre-release rollout, the full album will also feature previously unreleased recordings, including the highly anticipated collaboration on “The Thrill Is Gone” with Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan, along with additional tracks that have yet to be revealed. The 32-track album will be released digitally, as a double CD, and as a triple LP vinyl (180-gram) set on February 6th, 2026.

Website: https://jbonamassa.com/