.Legendary Blues Artists of the 20th Century

Legendary Blues Artists of the 21st Century

Great Local Blues Artists & Induction Ceremonies by State and Country

The Rhythm Room Legendary Blues Club Arizona 5-25-25

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Dr. Youvonne "Uvon" Brooks Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Photo Courtesy of Dr. Youvonne "Uvon" Brooks

Dr. Youvonne "Uvon" Brooks s is a singer and songwriter. Yuvonne served in the U. S. Navy where she won many singing competitions which included the 11th Naval District Talent Contest. She taught classes for the Maricopa Community College District and received a Building Excellence in Education Award. While teaching at the colleges, Yuvonne wrote and performed in an original blues show at fundraising events.

Yuvonne and her duo act with Ray Hinkle (guitar, bass, singer) conduct Blues In The Schools workshops for elementary students and adults. They have performed at The Hard Rock Café, Phoenix, AZ, and Lucille’s Blues & BBQ, Tempe, AZ, just to name a few venues. In addition, she has been the co-host for blues jams and performed on Good Morning Phoenix, AZ and Springfield, MO.

In September 2000, Yuvonne’s CD Plugged & Unplugged was the best selling blues album at Virgin Megastore, Tempe, which she wrote and co-wrote the songs.

Yuvonne performed at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival (twice), opened for Johnny Rivers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Tab Benoit, Henry Gray, Long John Hunter, Honeyboy Edwards, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Cephas & Wiggins, Billy Boy Arnold and was the lead singer in Chico Chism’s band for two years. She performed with the Chandler Symphony and in the Phoenix Metro Area at the Rhythm Room, West Alley Blues & BBQ, Voo Doo Daddy’s, 26 Street Blues Club and Memphis Blues & BBQ. Yuvonne shared the stage with Paul de Lay at The June Bug Festival in Payson, AZ

Rich Brydle Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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In 1989 I was befriended by AZ Blues Hall of Famer Ted Kowal, who was in the band “Chico Chisum and the Chistones” in the Phoenix, AZ area. Chico was Howlin’ Wolf’s
last known drummer and he moved from Chicago to Phoenix in the early 1980’s. With Ted’s mentoring from 1989 to 1995 I was introduced to and performed with most of the
prominent AZ-based blues artists of the time. From 1991 to approximately 2023 I assisted the Phoenix Blues Society (PBS) (fundraisers, Blues Blast stage crew, Event
Manager and Board Member). In the early 1990’s I played rhythm guitar in the short-lived Otis Campbell Band and in 1995 Ted Kowal asked me to join his band, “Cold Shott and The Hurricane Horns (CSHH)”, as rhythm guitarist. From that point on I have remained a member of Cold Shott and The Hurricane Horns. In 2000 CSHH was voted BEST BLUES BAND by the Arizona Republic, CSHH performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN (IBC) in 2001 to represent PBS, and in 2013 CSHH was voted BEST LOCAL BAND by The Arizona Republic.

For many years I organized and was stage manager of the music entertainment at the PBS Blues Blast festivals and the local Blues Showdown contests (for the IBC).

In addition to always keeping these shows and acts well-managed and transitions on-time,
I have five accomplishments I am most proud of: 1) at a Blues Blast festival I organized a 2-1/2 hour “Retrospective” of our great local blues artists coming together like a family to present one of the most glorious performances for the community, 2) a 2nd 2-1/2 hour “Showcase” of new and upcoming local artists, 3) as an active board member of PBS and finally 4) as an active board member of the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, and finally 5) in 2004 I was awarded the “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award by PBS for my many efforts up to that point for the Blues community! It has been my focus as a PBS/AZBHOF board member, and beyond, to engage with and support the musician. I
continue to be a big fan of my fellow musicians and remain in awe of all artists I have met and worked with; this includes both local and national Blues artists.

Celebrating 36 years of participating with and supporting our local Blues entities, events and musicians I humbly accept the gracious request to throw my hat in the ring for
nomination into the Blues Hall of Fame ® !
Thank you! Rich Brydle March 12, 2026

Genevieve Castorena AKA Gypsy Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Nina Curri Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Nina Curri is an outstanding blues artist who has been performing throughout Arizona for many years. Her musical styles include roots blues, folk and jazz. Nina was introduced to the Arizona blues scene in the late 80's while listening to Bob Corritore spinning local and legendary blues records on KJZZ radio. During her college years in Flagstaff at NAU, she was influenced by local blues performers and songwriters. Living in Austin and Houston, Texas for a spell allowed her to experience cities rich in music and diverse in talent. Arizona's multifaceted blues scene has been a long time inspiration that has shaped her as an artist.

Nina has released a Cd of her original music titled "Back in The Desert". She has been awarded the top Traditional Acoustic Artist by The Phoenix Blues Society and continues to perform in local Arizona blues events. Highlights of her performances include showcases at The Musical Instrument Museum, The Desert Botanical Gardens concert series, The Rhythm Room, Phoenix Blues Blast, Women in Blues showcases in Phoenix and Sedona, The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and the legendary Bitter End in NYC. She has participated in the Women in Blues showcase in Phoenix hosted by The Rocket 88's for many years. She also continues to lend her passionate support for St. Mary's Food Bank by performing in an annual Arizona holiday benefit featuring Francine Reed & Friends. You can find her music & events at http://www.NinaCurri.com.

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John Dubuc Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Award-Winning Harmonica Artist with Deep Blues Roots Continues to Perform and Record

Self-taught since his teenage years, harmonica artist John Dubuc (pronounced Dubuque) developed his signature sound under the strong influence of blues legends Paul Butterfield, James Cotton, and George “Harmonica” Smith, whose powerful, soul-driven rhythms helped shape his early musical direction.

Over the past decade, Dubuc has built a respected presence in the blues community, performing and recording for more than 12 years with Son House-influenced guitarist Joe Beard and his band, The Blues Union. His collaborations extend to numerous prominent artists across the blues and rock genres.

Throughout his career, John has appeared on recordings and shared the stage with an impressive list of musicians, including Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters (formerly of Roomful of Blues), David “Fathead” Newman, the legendary saxophonist for Ray Charles, and John Ellison, writer of the classic hit “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

His musical journey has also brought him together with notable performers such as Matt “Guitar” Murphy of The Blues Brothers, Buddy Guy, Big Mama Thornton, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, and Joan Osborne.

In recognition of his performances, John received the International Harmonica Artist of the Year Award at the 2007 Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards, held at the famed Whisky-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. His work has also been acknowledged in the All-Music Guide to The Blues (3rd Edition).

Originally from the Finger Lakes region of Central New York (Syracuse and Rochester), Dubuc has called the Sonoran Desert of Arizona home since 2003, residing near the vibrant music communities of Carefree and Cave Creek.

Since relocating to Arizona, he has remained an active presence in the region’s blues and roots music scene. He was with the Americana Crossroads Blues Review (a multimedia journey from African drums to modern day rock) in two performances at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and the Phoenix Theater and has been
a featured guest with Chuck Hall at both the Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival and the Mesa Blues Festival. Dubuc has also performed with the Arizona Blues Project alongside Paul Reed, Chuck Hall, Al Ortiz, and Gary Bruzzese, and has been a featured guest performer with The Sugar Thieves, Big Pete Pearson, Tommy Grills, the Rocket 88s, Eric Ramsey, Hooter’s Blues Band, Combo Deluxe, Sir Harison, and Danny Rhodes.

In addition, he has performed with several Phoenix-based tribute acts including Southbound Rider (an Allman Brothers tribute band), The Song Remains the Same (a Led Zeppelin tribute band), and The Other Side (a Doors tribute band). Dubuc has also appeared as a featured performer at the Rhythm Room’s Annual Harmonica Blow-Offs, performed with The Blues Review Band at the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival, and was the subject of a featured artist interview with Voyage Phoenix:
https://voyagephoenix.com/interview/meet-john-dubuc-n-scottsdale/

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Ray Hinkle AKA RayRay Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Raymond (RayRay) Hinkle, was born into a family of professional musicians. His mother played the piano and his father was a drummer.

During the years he was in junior and senior high school, Ray played the tuba in marching band and orchestra. In 1969, he became interested in playing the acoustic guitar and bass. Ray enjoyed performing in small clubs and college campuses in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.

He moved to Phoenix in 1973 and operated a taxi cab company. One of his fares happened to be Chico Chism. He spoke to Chico and discovered that he was a well-known blues drummer. They became “fast” friends and Chico asked RayRay to play in his band. As time passed, he formed his own band and played bass in and around Phoenix Metro area.

In 2002, he started hosting blues jams. They became very popular and he received recognition in the September, 2013 issue of Phoenix Magazine.

Ray began mentoring and working with young musicians who came to his jams as well as performances. Several of the musicians and singers have become professional entertainers. In addition, he has conducted Blues In The Schools workshops that focus on the history of the blues and the impact it has on contemporary music. At the end of each workshop the students write a blues song.

RayRay has worked with Tommy Washington, Moody Scott, Big Pete Pearson, Ronnie Whitehead, Dr. Yuvonne (Uvon) Brooks, Long John Hunter,
Delmar Stewart, Bob Corritore, Mike Howard and many more blues artists.

Highlight performances include RayRay and his band opening for Johnny Rivers at the Celebrity Theatre, and a pops concert with the Chandler Symphony.

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Tom Meeks AKA Toby Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Rick Mutter Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Rick Mutter is one of the Pacific Northwest and Southwest's most accomplished keyboard artists, with more than fifty-five years of electrifying performance rooted in the blues traditions of Chicago and the American South. Born and raised in Seattle, Rick began playing Hammond Organ at age six. Over the years his style was shaped by the B-3 mastery of Jimmy Smith and Brother Jack McDuff, the piano greats of Chicago and Memphis, and guitar legends B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy.

By fourteen he was already performing live - launching a career spanning clubs and festivals across the U.S. and Canada, from Washington and Arizona to the blues capital of Memphis. He has contributed to a distinguished roster of bands including The Gryffyn Band, Hard Times, CROS, and Big Daddy D and The Dynamites, collaborating on two all-original blues releases with The Gryffyn Band.

Rick's most decorated chapter came with CROS, helping propel the band to back-to-back Arizona Blues Showdown titles in 2020 and 2022 and a 2nd Place finish at the 2022 International Blues Challenge. A sideman of the highest caliber, he has shared the stage with Lurrie Bell, Johnny Burgin, Bob Corritore, and opened for Larry Coryell and Steve Khan at venues including the Paramount Northwest in Seattle and the Rhythm Room in Phoenix.

Today Rick performs with Big Daddy D and The Dynamites - high-energy, soulful, and deeply rooted in the blues.

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Lila Sherman Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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As a seasoned blues vocalist, I, Lila Sherman, bring three decades of experience to the stage. With music's early allure capturing my imagination.

I actively participated in various ensembles and gospel choirs, gradually cultivating a deep passion for R&B and Blues.

Notably, I serve as the lead vocalist for Sistah Blue, an all-women's Blues group founded in 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona. Lila remained with Sistah Blue until 2008 when the band went separate ways. I continued to perform with various artist, in Arizona with various shows throughout the valley, MIM, Desert Botanical Gardens, Scottsdale Center of the Arts festivals.

Drawing my inspiration from legendary artists such as Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Koto Taylor and Mahalia Jackson, my gritty yet soulful style has proven ability to captivate audiences.

Throughout my career, I've shared the stage with exceptional musicians, including an esteemed opportunity to open for John Lee Hooker in 1999 alongside Sistah Blue, as well as performances with notable artists like John Mayall and Barbara Lynn.

My performances span various Blues festivals in Arizona, California, and Memphis, Tennessee. I performed at the International Blues Challenge in
Memphis back in 1996, and 2016. Performing at both Rum Boogie, BB King Bar, Hard Rock Cafe, on Beale Street.

I have recorded several CDs with Sistah Blue and Sistah too.

Larry Dee Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Buzz Fowler Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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. . .. . . . . . Hooter presenting Buzz Fowler's posthumous Induction Certificate

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Roy Pinn Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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. . .. . . . . . . .  Joey Carducc Walter Pinn and Bass Player for Roy Pinn and Kenny Spencer

. . .. . . . . . . .  present Roy Pinn and Kenny Spencer's posthumous Induction Certificate

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Vieto Robinson Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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Kenny Spencer Great Blues Artist of Arizona 5-30-26

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. . .. . . . . . . .  Joey Carducc Walter Pinn and Bass Player for Roy Pinn and Kenny Spencer

. . .. . . . . . . .  present Roy Pinn and Kenny Spencer's posthumous Induction Certificate

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