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.

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.

Though his career began over a decade ago with genuine boogie-woogie rock n' roll honky-tonk, Wainwright has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of PIANO BLUES. His insatiable interest in music discovery and sheer love for entertaining and curiosity have led him all around the world. The resulting perspective is a reflection of his passion for entertaining and creating progressive roots music and blues in an effort to move the art-form forward. Composer, producer, vocalist, entertainer and award winning piano player; Victor Wainwright is a raucous high-octane, dynamic performer and crowd pleaser with soul to spare.

“For the past three years straight I have been nominated for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year award by the Blues Music Foundation. For the last two years, I’ve won. I will gladly and eagerly share with you all of what I know regarding the deeper aspects of how to really play blues piano, especially understanding “the intent” behind the notes you play. Soloing and accompanying blues piano will become much easier when you understand how to approach the bigger picture, and how the piano fits you and/or a band. I’ll share with you rifts and licks, and most importantly, I will help you dig deeper in understanding what’s “behind the notes.”

Johnny Burgin is one of the hardest working and well recognized traditional Chicago blues artists today. Since his start in the 90s on Chicago’s West Side with blues singer Taildragger, he has become a leading blues attraction throughout the United States and Europe.  Johnny is a Delmark recording artist with 6 CDs to his credit, including his critically acclaimed release, “Greetings from Greaseland”, of which Chicago Blues Guide said, “plays out like a great set of live blues, as authentic as it will ever get”.  He is also in demand as a session player and has recorded with many blues greats including Billy Boy Arnold, Taildragger, Paul DeLay, Jimmy Burns, Andre Williams, Eddie Taylor Jr., and Jimmy Lee Robinson.

Johnny Burgin grew up in Starkville MS and Greenville SC, and while he was still in high school, got to see many touring blues bands such as Guitar Jr, Gatemouth Brown and Eddie Clearwater.  He went to University of Chicago with the intention of becoming a writer, but a different path unfolded and he fell headfirst into the Chicago blues scene.  After learning from the masters by touring with such artists as Pinetop Perkins and Howlin’ Wolf drummer Sam Lay, he put his own band together.  Johnny has played the Chicago blues festival many times, toured Europe regularly, and has headlined festivals and clubs all over the US.

Johnny is also an accomplished teacher, hosting blues guitar workshops worldwide. With his incredible knowledge of blues history, we are very excited to have Johnny join us on the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass staff this year.

Born Nov 25, 1980 in Jackson Ms. Coming from a musical family left him no choice but to also be a part of music. Starting off at a very young age playing piano and drums in the church with his parents gave him that powerful gospel feel for music. With his father being a bass player and hearing him practicing all the time would soon still the heart of Terrence. At the age of 12 Terrence started to learn to playing bass and the rest was history. Later he was introduced to Bobby Rush legendary blues and funk singer and musician. Terrence then was introduced to blues where he began to tour with Rush for the next 15 years. Also during the course of that touring with various blues, soul and R&B artists such as , Michael Burks , Shirley Brown, Vasti Jackson, Glenn Jones, Debbie Davis, Willie Clayton just to name a few. But now is currently tour with Victor Wainwright and the Wildroots (The Train). Terrence and the Wildroots brought in the 2016 Band of The Year Award with the National Blues Association along with accompanying Victor Wainwright in also winning the 2016 B.B King Blues Award. With all the happening that lead to him recording an album of his own which shows his versatile bass style. Combining his gospel musical background along with the blues, soul, funk, R&B and with a touch of jazz he has developed a power, slinky funky soulful grooving feeling style that's sure to make some part of you groove from a happy place.

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!