British Blues Rocker Joanne Shaw Taylor at Oaks Theater (Sun., 3/29/26)

Joanne Shaw Taylor. (Photo: Stacie Huckeba)

Much like two young English musicians a generation and a half before her, Joanne Shaw Taylor found inspiration in American blues music. The music of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and others inspired Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Taylor’s blues music interest was piqued by Stevie Ray Vaughn. Having picked up the guitar at a young age, Taylor perfected her craft and started playing gigs around England. A friend of the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart heard her play and told him about her. Stewart then began mentoring Taylor. Other musical admirers include Jimmy Cliff, Stevie Wonder, and Annie Lennox.

Taylor’s career has been very successful including a series of no. 1 selling Billboard blues albums. Her 12th album, Heavy Soul, produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Journey, Aerosmith), was released in 2024 through Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Taylor’s latest album is this year’s Black & Gold, how appropriate for a Pittsburgh tour stop. Shaw even has her own PBS special. See our 2024 full story and interview with Taylor who will be performing at the Oaks Theater. 8 p.m. 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. (R.H.)

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