Blues giant Billy Branch is among today's greatest harmonica players. With his inventive, deeply rooted playing and gritty, soulful vocals, Branch carries on the Chicago blues tradition that he learned first-hand from icons including Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Carey Bell, Willie Dixon and many others. His famous teachers made it clear to anyone who would listen that Branch was the heir apparent to the Chicago blues harmonica throne.

With his instantly recognizable sound and his band, The Sons Of Blues, Branch has traveled the world, creating living, breathing and evolving Chicago blues for over four decades. In addition, he's dedicated years of work to the Blues In The Schools program, helping children—the next generation of blues artists and fans—develop a love for and understanding of the genre.

Bob Stroger’s fascination with Chicago Blues started when he lived in the back of a night club where Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters often played. Stroger taught himself how to play the bass guitar, and eventually started a band with his brother and cousin called the Red Top which was known for their unique jazz sound. Stroger also played with Willie Kent in Joe Russel and the Blues Hustlers.

With the help of Eddie King, Stroger began playing Blues and R&B music with a band known as Eddie King and the Kingsmen. Careers took off and for 15 years, Stroger played blues with a passion that sparked thousands of fans.

During his 39-year career has played with a long list of blues legends that include Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Sunnyland Slim, Louisiana Red, Homesick James and Snooky Pryor, among others. He recorded Keepin’ It Together with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, son of the legendary Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.

Libby Rae Watson grew up in Pascagoula, Mississippi a few blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. She became captivated by Blues music when in her teens after stumbling across a songbook in a local music store. It was full of songs and photos of Blues greats! Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotten.... legends of the early Blues. It was the beginning of a life long infatuation of the music, the people who made it, and the culture of her own State.

She later searched for and became friends with several Blues musicians. She was mentored by the great Sam Chatmon who was the last surviving member of the Mississippi Sheiks.   "I didn't plan to go 'find' the Blues.

The Blues found me. I've been consumed by it for over 40 years! Like Sam Chatmon said, “ The Blues is my daily occupation!”  

Harmonica player Bob Corritore was born in Chicago on September 27, 1956, Bob fell in love with the blues after hearing Muddy Waters on the radio. He immediately started collecting blues albums, and at age 13, started learning harmonica.

Once old enough to get into the blues clubs, Bob befriended many of the harmonica legends and developed his skill set and sound directly at the feet of the masters. At the age of 22 Bob Corritore produced his very first album by unsung harmonica master Little Willie Anderson. Many blues album productions followed. Bob also started his long running Blues Radio Show in 1984, and opened up his legendary blues club, the Rhythm Room in 1991.

Bob’s harmonica sound is unmistakably traditional Chicago and he’s been a highly celebrated spokesman for the instrument with over 30 album releases, years of touring, numerous awards and accolades, and hosting various master classes and seminars over the years. Bob Corritore has performed and recorded with the late Pinetop Perkins. He is also a part of a group called The Bobs Of The Blues which features two other workshop instructors, Bob Margolin and Bob Stroger.

He looks forward to sharing his 55 years of harmonica experience with his students. In addition to providing instruction on technique and playing strategy, Bob will also offer his advice, and philosophies. Bob looks forward to celebrating the magic of the harmonica with the next generation of the Pinetop Perkins workshop students!

Anthony Geraci is a two time Blues Music Award (BMA) Winner from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN for Instrumentalist-Piano/Pinetop Perkins Piano Award. He has 19 personal BMA Nominations as well as a Grammy Nomination for Super Harps I (Telarc). Anthony has toured world wide for over 40 years with Ronnie Earl, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, The Proven Ones, and his own band The Boston Blues All- Stars, which were nominated 3 times for Band of the Year by the Blues Foundation. He has recorded with traditional blues artists such as Odetta, Big Walter Horton, John Brim, Lazy Lester, Snooky Pryor, Big Jack Johnson, Carey Bell, Bob Stroger, Willie Buck...and contemporary blues artists Kenny Neal, Debbie Davies, Billy Branch, John Primer, Terrance Simien, Duke Robillard, Welch/Ledbetter, Charlie Musselwhite, Teeny Tucker, Sugaray Rayford, Bob Corritore, Zora Young and many more. He has toured with Otis Rush, J.B. Hutto, Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Rogers, and Big Joe Turner. He has played piano backing up Big Mama Thorton, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker at various festivals. Anthony has had the honor to sit in with Muddy Waters and B.B. King.

I am thrilled to be a part of this years Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshop. I have been playing Blues Piano since I was 16 years old (b 1954) after hearing a Buddy Guy recording and a Muddy Waters recording-and I haven’t turned back since. Sitting in with the likes of Muddy Waters, B.B.King; touring with Otis Rush, Big Walter Horton, Big Joe Turner and many others has given me the unique perspective of learning directly from some of the originators of this great art form we all love.

Pinetop Perkins piano playing has always meant a lot to me as a musician. He would often stay at my house and we’d play piano together-probably not even knowing how much I was watching his every move on the piano keys!.  When playing Blues Piano you really need to understand what it means to be an ensemble player. Pinetop epitomized that group/ensemble type of playing as good as anyone ever has-and that can transcend to any instrument.  That is something we will talk about and work on together at the workshop. Building a solo is also something we will also work on together. I have been nominated for The Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award by the Blues Foundation numerous times and won the award in 2021 and 2023!

The workshop starts out by talking about the great Blues Pianists-Pinetop, Otis Spann, Memphis Slim…and about the roll of a Blues Pianist both as a soloist, and being part of a band. I do bring some “leadsheets”-but I feel they’re more related to jazz than blues. We go over the blues scale, and how to apply that soloing over a standard 12 bar blues. I then like to show students some cool standard blues “riffs” such as the beginning to “Got My Mojo Working.” Then we work on comping-how to be a good ensemble player in a band without getting in other instruments or a vocalists way.  As always I’m open to any songs that students may want to learn, or have questions about. Blues Piano has many different styles-Boogie Boogie, Chicago, New Orleans…we’ll try and cover as much as possible.  I look forward to working with you all to make us all better Blues Musicians.

Malaco Recording Artist, Castro Coleman a-k-a Mr. Sipp, was born August 25, 1976 to Johnelle and the late Vera Coleman in the small town of McComb, MS. He began playing the guitar at the tender age of 6. Through hard work and perseverance, Mr. Sipp has become a Delta Blues Force to be reckoned with! Being recognized for his amazing vocals, songwriting ability, musicianship, ability to produce records and entertain Fans with an upbeat, outlandish show all make Mr. Sipp “The Total Package.” Above all of that, Mr. Sipp is a God fearing family man. With over 125 recording credits to his name, Mr. Sipp has played on over 50 national recordings with several Grammy ® nominated projects. He is well traveled and ready to come to play for you and spread his great gift of music to the World. ​

​Mr. Sipp is the 2014 International Blues Challenge Winner by way of The Vicksburg Blues Society as well as the 2014 Gibson Best Guitarist Award Winner. The same year Castro was given the Bobby Rush Entertainer of the Year Award by the Jus’ Blues Foundation. In 2015, he won several Jackson Music Awards including International Male Blues Artist, Blues Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the year. ​

He was the BMA Best New Artist Album winner 2016 and The Spirit of Little Walter Award 2016. The same year, Castro was the first blues artist to have his handprint inducted into the Wall of Fame in Fredrikshavn Denmark. For the 25th Annual Living Blues Awards, he won the Best Blues Album of 2017 New Recordings award (Contemporary Blues) with “Knock a Hole In It,” and in 2018 he won the National Blues Artist of The Year award at 44th Annual Jackson Music Awards. ​I

Mr. Sipp’s favorite quote, “I’m living to love the life that I live, Music!!!!” 

Brandon Miller is a well-seasoned, multi-instrumentalist hailing from Kansas City, MO. With over 25 years of playing as a guitarist, Brandon has a vast knowledge of blues, rock, country and jazz. Brandon began as a self taught musician and later studied in college. Brandon currently tours with his wife, Danielle Nicole, as well as his own rock trio.

Brandon’s history of the blues started as a teenager when diving into the British Blues. Peter Green, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeck Beck sparked the fire that led him to discover the originators of blues guitar such as Freddie King, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and BB King. The raw emotion that these musicians were able to capture through their instrument as their own voice is what drew Brandon closer and closer to the blues.

Brandon has taught “Blues In The Schools” with the Kansas City Blues Society as well as being a part of several workshops during the International Blues Challenge week in Memphis, TN. Brandon believes that every person and musician has their own voice. His goal is to give younger artists the tools and opportunities to have their voice be heard.

Dionte Skinner, also known professionally as "McMusik," is an accomplished American blues and studio drummer. Based primarily in Chicago, Illinois, he has earned a strong reputation as a versatile and high-energy percussionist.Beyond the Sons of Blues, he frequently performs and records with other notable artists, including the Stefan Hillesheim Trio and the Jamiah Rogers band.

He is highly recognized in the Chicago music circuit for a versatile, hard-hitting drum style that drives high-energy live sets.

Lee Williams was born and raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi, right in the heart of a musical legacy. He got his start banging on buckets in the street at just 8 years old, until his cousin, Anthony Sherrod, brought him into Mr. Johnny Billington’s School of Blues. Over the years, Lee’s played in bands like Razorblade & The Deep Cuts with Josh “Razorblade” Stewart, Dr. Mike and Big T, and The Family with Terry “Big T” Williams. He’s been a regular at Ground Zero Blues Club since day one, sharing the stage with blues legends like Charlie Musselwhite and Bob Margolin. 

These days, Lee gives back by teaching drums at the Delta Blues Museum’s Music Education Program and the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshop. He recently completed a country-wide tour with Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience. He’s also been a core part of Heavy Suga’ & The SweeTones for the past 18 years, contributing to songwriting, arrangements, and vocals. You can also catch him playing with Big A & The Allstars… and with anyone else who needs a drummer. 

I’ve been playing bass professionally for over 20 years. I found the Blues through my Father who fell in love with it first through Johnny Winter and Muddy Waters.  I began playing bass in a band with my brothers called Trampled Under Foot; we played what we called Heavy Blues.  I learned by ear from listening to Willie Dixon, James Jamerson, Carole Kaye and Donald Dunn without knowing it at the time. Session players were on everything and a lot weren’t credited.

As a vocalist I grew up singing to Aretha, Whitney, Mariah, Stevie, Janis, even Barbara but in Blues, I was obsessed primarily with Etta James, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King most of my adolescence. The thumping lines and jumping styles throughout the story of the vocals has always been fascinating and magnetizing to me.

As a vocalist, bassist and songwriter, accurately telling and supporting the story of the song is very important to me. I’m excited to teach from my direct experience, and learn from the youth about what they want to know and not only speak about implementing different styles but also playing what’s appropriate for the song and story and why.

I am Heather Crosse, Blues musician. I have been singing for 33 years and playing bass for 20 years. In my bass career I started out backing old Blues mentors and they passed on- leaving me holding the torch! So, I have now fronted my own Soul Blues band, Heavy Suga’ & The SweeTones, as lead singer & bass player for 10 years. I also became a Ruf Records recording artist in 2014 releasing my debut solo album, “Groovin’ At The Crosse Roads” and tour Europe and USA, so far, representing Clarksdale and carrying on the legacy.

When I moved to Clarksdale I became a music teacher. I have done Blues In The Schools in Helena, AR. and Hot Springs, AR., was the director of an after school music program at Tutwiler, MS. Community Education Center where I gave bass, guitar, and piano lessons and formed a kid band out of the students for 5 years. I was also the music teacher at St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Clarksdale for 2 years, Bass/Voice Instructor at Guitar Center in Little Rock, AR. and give private music lessons. I have also worked as the bass player at other music workshops here at Shack Up Inn, Jon Gindick’s Harmonica Jam Camp, Guitar & Bass Workshops and Singer/Songwriter Workshops, 3 times a year for 6 years as the “jam with the band experience” and recording your song demos.

I have had such diverse teaching experiences that I am well-rounded in knowledge and quite a unique spontaneous teacher. My goal for this workshop is to explore the bass player’s important job in the band and working with the drummer to provide a unit of support. I have had the honor of playing bass for Blues greats Bob Margolin, Super Chikan, Charlie Musslewhite, Jody Williams, Fiona Boyes, Terry “Big T” Williams and Monster Mike Welch & Mike Leadbetter and more.

Blues is my passion and I love sharing it! I will do this the rest of my life!

Teeny Tucker, daughter of legendary bluesman Tommy Tucker, carries on a rich Blues legacy with her powerhouse vocals, soulful songwriting, and electrifying stage presence. Tommy Tucker’s classic “Hi-Heel Sneakers” earned him induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2017, and Teeny has forged her own celebrated path in the Blues world.

Beginning in gospel music as a child, Teeny found her passion for the Blues in the early 1990s and quickly became recognized as one of the genre’s most dynamic performers. Her songwriting earned finalist honors in the International Songwriting Competition and won the 2021 Blues Foundation Song of the Year Award.

Deeply committed to preserving Blues culture and history, Teeny leads vocal workshops, Blues in the Schools programs, and Women in Blues workshops inspired by her studies of the Mississippi Delta roots of Blues music. She is also an accomplished multimedia artist.

Teeny’s many honors include multiple Koko Taylor Award nominations, the 2025 Keeping the Blues Legacy Alive Award from Women of the Blues Chicago, the 2021 Monterey Bay Artist of the Year Award, and the 2017 Blues Historical Award from the Jus' Blues Foundation. She has also served as a guest speaker and moderator at the annual B.B. King Symposium in partnership with the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.