The Sacramento Blues Society

1/12/2026 UPDATE:
We want to keep you updated directly on the forward progress in regard to Flipcause, the non-profit CRM we have used the past five years.

From Marcel Smith, our SBS President:
"We have learned from our California Attorney General that Flipcause has filed for bankruptcy. For clarity and transparency, SBS is pursuing all legal remedies to recover losses tied to Flipcause’s mishandling and bankruptcy. The SBS Board has also decided to move forward with DonorView as our new vendor, replacing Flipcause. We have already had two very positive meetings with them and look forward to a robust and quality relationship with them."
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11/24/2025 UPDATE MESSAGE TO MEMBERS/DONORS:
At this time, please DO NOT USE this website to donate any monies or to join
or renew your memberships.
A written communication with alternative methods to transact was sent
last weekend to our SBS membership via email.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
--The SBS Board

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"Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Blues Music as an art form."

Founded in 1979, our mission is to promote and preserve blues music as the original American art form.
We are the third oldest blues society in the United States and are celebrating our 45th year throughout 2024!

The Sacramento Blues Society understands that the arts have always been outlets to express the plight of the oppressed, and to sound the call for change. We believe that the African-American experience is the very foundation of the Blues, a uniquely American art form, and one which we celebrate and love. Music, especially the Blues, can break down racial barriers and open dialogue about cultural diversity.

We are witnessing, and are part of, a movement for social justice now. We pledge, as individuals and as a group, to work for peaceful, positive change within the community and to influence those with whom we interact to do the same. We welcome everyone to enjoy the Blues with us...in the spirit of unity, companionship and goodwill. We are all in this together

We love to connect with all aspects of the community through BLUES – involving artists, labels, radio, students, schools, venues, promoters and FANS. Membership fees, sponsorships and grants fund the bulk of our events and educational programs. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a proud affiliate member of The Blues Foundation.

Click here for more about us and our programs.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE CONCERT EVENTS, FUNDRAISERS
and more NEWS!

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"People have been brainwashed into believing that it's got to be down or it wouldn't be blues. But it's not so. It's got to be a fact or it wouldn't be blues."

- Willie Dixon, Poet Laureate of the Blues

Friday, January 16, 2026
Harlow's/2708 J Street /Sacramento
Doors: 6pm Music:7pm
$25-GA , $22-SBS + ticketing fees

TIX: https://www.harlows.com/event/kyle-rowlands-rowland-tumblin-not-holding-back-record-release-blues-party/harlows/sacramento-california

Remember, Harlow's box office is open M-F, 10am-5pm! Avoid ticketing fees, buy in person!

Kyle Rowland is Not Holding Back! January 2026 is launching in a big way for Kyle Rowland, Sacramento’s not-so-secret-now powerful young blues star. His debut album, Not Holding Back!, on the highly regarded Little Village label, was digitally released late last year, with the CD and vinyl (we hope!) available in January. Produced at Greaseland Studios by Rick Estrin and Kid Andersen, eight confident originals bolster his meaningful choices in these fifteen songs. With contributions from some of the heaviest of modern blues stars with whom Kyle has learned from and worked with since he was a teen, this is a perfect rite of passage.

The legendary Nightcat Rick Estrin writes” I first met Kyle Rowland, when he was 10 years old and his father brought him to my house for a harmonica lesson. Even way back then, his enormous sound and the utter ferocity of his attack were startling. Twenty plus years and countless gigs later, the raw abandon remains while his skills, instrumentally, vocally, and as a songwriter, now match his huge natural talent.”

His tough band, Rowland and Tumblin’, will bring the joy and emotion they are all feeling together now. Justin MacCarthy on fierce guitar, Mike Phillips on soulful bass, and young dynamic drummer Myles Silveira understand how important the deep roots of the Chicago and Texas blues tradition center their versatility. Watching audience heads turn as an exuberant Kyle leads his band, snaking in funk, soul, country blues and rhythm and blues is world class! Expect some proud musical mentors in audience and on stage this night.

The album has already grabbed raves from blues writers worldwide, from Paris to Alabama: “Listening to it, we are won over by the precision, freshness and sincerity of this young musician. A vibrant and flawless first record, which already imposes the name of Kyle Rowland as one of the new faces of contemporary blues to be reckoned with. Jim Pugh's label has no equal in making us discover young and excellent musicians. A great success this session! It should satisfy the most demanding! – Jean-Luc Vabres, Chroniques

“A kick-the-doors-down production out of Greaseland puts Kyle Rowland on good footing for what should be an uptick in national regard for his large-toned California harp work and fine tenor voice on Not Holding Back. -Talkin' the Blues with Microwave Dave (WLRH FM / WJAB FM,

THE January/february 2026 BLUE NOTES IS HERE!

NEW! Sunday, Jan. 18 - Sunday Blues Jam @ the Torch Club - "Blues for Bob" 4pm-7pm
It's a special version of the regular "Sunday Blues Jam" at the Torch.
The doors open at 3:00pm, and this day, friends will be able to see our Jan Kelley's beautiful face in person.
Per Jan, DONATIONS ARE REQUESTED---AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE SACRAMENTO BLUES SOCIETY GENERAL FUND.
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The signup sheet at 3:30pm, the house band (w/ special guest host Paris Clayton (guitar, vocals), with house band regulars Dean Chance(bass) and Ratatat Pat(drums) play a short set at 4:00pm, and then Paris put folks together in groups that'll have the most fun playing together, and will be the most fun for people to dance to. On they roll until 7:00pm. If you're a musician, bring whatever gear you need to make some noise - we provide drums and a bass amp - and we'll do the rest. Warren J. Bishop is the swell resident soundman, and he makes everybody sound good. If you're a dancer, bring your dancing shoes.

Survey Form

thre IBc is almost here!
Dirty Laundry and Mike hammar & the nails are packin their bags to head to memphis.
We are so pleased to be able to send these two exceptional acts to Memphis in January, 2026.
you can still donate at the IBC page on this website!
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We begAn our celebration, our"45 Years and Going Strong!" in great style in January 2024.
and we celebrated all Year.
we still have 45 merchandise in our store, PLUS MORE!

Our Blues Tribe! New photos!

Save the gala date!
The bay area's howelldevine is coming!

Please add yourself to the mailing list for Jan's Jams, a weekly collection of live blues/roots music events in NorCal by sending your name and email address to [email protected]. If you are an SBS member, you will receive it automatically on Fridays around NOON!