Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues: Celebrating Rosa's Lounge 41st Anniversary Party and a memorial birthday tribute to Carl Weathersby w/ Corey Dennison
Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues: Celebrating Rosa's Lounge 41st Anniversary Party and a memorial birthday tribute to Carl Weathersby w/ Corey Dennison
Billy Branch, Emmy award winner, 3 time Grammy nominee has followed a very non-traditional path to the blues. Unlike many blues artists, he isn't from the South. Billy was born in Chicago in 1951 and was raised in Los Angeles. He first picked up a harmonica at the age of ten and immediately began to play simple tunes. Billy returned to Chicago in the summer of '69 and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in political science. It was during these years that he was introduced to the Blues. He soon became immersed in the local blues scene. He spent a great deal of time at legendary blues clubs such as: Queen Bee's and Theresa's Lounge; he learned from such stalwart harmonica players like: Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell. More about Billy…
Corey Dennison
Corey Dennison, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1975, is a blues and soul musician who has made a significant impact on the Chicago blues scene. He received his first guitar at the age of six and was influenced early on by artists like Junior Wells, Albert Collins, and Albert King.
A pivotal period in Dennison's career was his 12-year stint as a sideman for blues musician Carl Weathersby. This experience was transformative, with Weathersby becoming more than just a bandleader—he was a mentor who Dennison affectionately called "Pops". During this time, Dennison learned to blend blues and soul styles with remarkable nuance, developing a musical approach that avoided traditional accompaniment like horns or background vocalists.
Through Weathersby, Dennison gained extraordinary exposure to the blues world, sharing stages with legendary artists including Nick Moss, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson, Buddy Guy, and Robert Randolph.
This comprehensive musical education prepared Dennison to form the Corey Dennison Band in 2013, a project that would solidify his reputation in Chicago's competitive blues scene. Since then, he has released multiple albums on Delmark Records and become a fixture at renowned local blues venues, continuing the rich tradition of Chicago blues while bringing his own distinctive voice to the genre.