WNY BluesSociety

06/20/2026

Well, we’ve had some controversy here on the WNY Blues Society web page regarding what constitutes Western New York, and “Why are we posting stuff from Rochester?”. Here’s some info from Wikipedia to answer the question. Any true blues lover would have no qualms about driving an hour to see some good blues, right? Opine in the comments please!

06/19/2026

Son House Blues Night Guest Spotlight: Joe & Pete Fornieri

If you’ve spent time around the Rochester, Fairport, or Finger Lakes music scene over the past few decades, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Joe and Pete Fornieri.

The Fornieri Brothers have been part of the fabric of the regional live music community for years, building a reputation as seasoned performers with deep roots in blues, soul, rock, and Americana. Whether playing bars, breweries, festivals, or listening rooms, they’ve earned a loyal following the old-fashioned way: by showing up consistently and delivering music with heart.

Joe Fornieri handles lead vocals, harmonica, and guitar, bringing a soulful, blues-driven style shaped by artists like Junior Wells and Paul Butterfield. Pete Fornieri adds lead and rhythm guitar work along with vocals, helping shape the band’s groove-heavy sound and broad musical palette. Together, the brothers move comfortably between blues shuffles, roots rock, classic R&B, and jam-friendly improvisation.

Their repertoire reflects decades of musical influences, drawing from artists including Freddie King, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, CCR, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Louis Jordan. Venues like B-Side Fairport and Abilene have described them as longtime veterans of the Rochester music scene, and they’ve appeared regularly at regional events including the Fairport Music Festival.

What makes the Fornieri Brothers stand out isn’t flash or gimmicks. It’s feel. They know how to settle into a groove, listen to each other, and let songs breathe. There’s a looseness to the way they play that comes from years of experience and trust.

That makes them a perfect fit for Son House Blues Night, where spontaneity and musical conversation are part of the tradition.

Joe and Pete Fornieri will join the Son House House Band for a special performance at Son House Blues Night on Thursday, June 25 at the Record Archive.

06/18/2026

On Thursday, June 25, The Son House Blues Night is hosting two longtime Rochester-area favorites to the Record Archive stage: Joe and Pete Fornieri of the Fornieri Brothers Band.

Known around Fairport and the Finger Lakes for their soulful mix of blues, roots rock, classic R&B, and deep-cut groove, the brothers have spent decades playing clubs, festivals, and bars across the region. This time, they’ll be joining forces with the Son House House Band, Son Henry & The Revelators, for a special one-night collaboration full of blues, improvisation, and old-school chemistry.

It's just a quick hop down the I90 to the Record Archive, so come early, grab a drink, and settle in. This one’s gonna groove.

06/17/2026

Hey Buffalo Friends! We hope you can come spend a lovely Sunday afternoon with us at Hilltop! Beer, burgers and Blues in a shady grove. What a great way to spend Sunday afternoon!

06/04/2026

Check out this new recording by one of our members!

Stream and Pre-save The Blues Has Got to Come Home/El Blues Tiene Que Volver a Casa - Distributed by DistroKid

05/28/2026

Link to tickets for the Blues Cruise is here!
https://www.simpletix.com/e/2026-blues-cruise-featuring-jony-james-ban-tickets-276969

05/27/2026

Reason #3 to make a trip to Rochester this Thursday!

Son House Blues Night Guest Spotlight: Tom Hanney

If you want to understand just how deeply Tom Hanney loves the harmonica, here’s a pretty good clue: he literally teaches college courses about it.

Tom is a longtime Rochester blues harmonica player and a Principal Lecturer at RIT, where he developed and taught the course “The Harmonica and the Blues.” The class explores not only how to play the instrument, but also the history, culture, and social impact of blues harmonica and the music surrounding it. (rit.edu, roccitymag.com)

Tom has been part of Rochester’s music community for years, performing with groups including The White Hots, The Fog, and Open G. But what really stands out is the depth of his connection to the instrument itself. In interviews, Tom has talked about discovering blues through bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, then tracing those sounds backward to artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and John Lee Ho**er. (roccitymag.com)

That curiosity turned into decades of study and playing. He has conducted harmonica research at the University of Mississippi Blues Archive, written about the instrument for the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica, and become one of the local musicians helping keep traditional blues harp culture alive. (modernbluesharmonica.com, rit.edu)

What makes Tom such a great fit for Son House Blues Night is that he approaches the harmonica the same way the old blues players did: as a voice. Sometimes playful, sometimes mournful, sometimes rough around the edges in exactly the right way. He understands that blues harp isn’t about perfection. It’s about feel.

For The Son House Blues Night Harmonica Mayhem, Tom joins fellow harmonica players Big Mike and Richard Storms for a night dedicated to one of the great voices of the blues tradition. Catch them all on Thursday, May 28th at the Record Archive