I want my songs to be heard and experienced, not just listened to, says clich-defying, internationally beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon. With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon is on the cutting edge of todays contemporary blues scene and is known as one of the genres most creative artists. His sound is inspired by his heroes, including Hound Dog Taylor, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Albert King, Son Seals and Jimi Hendrix. On his third Alligator Records album, Shut Up And Play!, Cannon blazes his own path with 11 emotionally-charged originals. From serious to humorous, his imaginative songs are fueled by his powerful, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice.Shut Up And Play!, co-produced by Cannon and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, finds Cannon, a former Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, delivering timeless stories of common experiences, often unfolding in uncommon ways. His passionate and focused guitar playing sets his lyrics ablaze. From the first radio single, the unassailable I Hate Love, to the gospel-inspired, autobiographical Had To Go Through It To Get To It, to the slow-burning, reflective Guilty, to the deeply personal Message To My Daughter, Shut Up And Play! tackles the gamut of human emotions. Song subjects range from the heartbreak of lost love, to the humor of daily life, to the pain of feeling invisible in todays society, all as seen through Cannons wide-open eyes.
- Main Box Office: (847) 492-8862
- Administrative Office: (847) 492-8061
- Located at main box office entrance
- Valid photo ID required for pickup
- Available 1 hour before performance start time
- Tickets can be held up to 30 minutes before show time
- Street parking available on Chicago Avenue
- Nearby public parking lots within 2 blocks
- Limited on-site parking
- Metered street parking zones
- Wheelchair accessible spaces
- Companion seating available
- Accessible restrooms
- Front row accommodations
- Elevator access to all levels
- No outside food or drinks
- No smoking inside venue
- Valid ticket required for entry
- Late seating during performance intervals
- Professional photography/recording prohibited
- Ages 12 and above generally permitted
- Children under 12 require adult supervision
- Some performances may have specific age restrictions
- Infant/lap policies vary by event type
