John The Conquer Root - Music

Growing Up In The Shadows Chicago's Blues Mecca Theresa's Lounge Had A Lasting Effect On Toronzo Cannon. As A Kid Toronzo Would Listen To The Raw Soulful Sounds Of Legends Like Junior Wells Buddy Guy And Muddy Waters. "It Wasn't Just The Music That Got Me But The Effect On The People. I Knew Right Then That Was What I Was Gonna Do." These Experiences Led Him To Pick Up His First Guitar As A Teenager And Begin To Learn To Sing And Play The Sounds He Heard. Inspired By The Three Kings Freddie B.B. And Albert A Little Hendrix And Some 70's R&B/Soul Toronzo Soon Developed His Own Sound. "If I Wasn’t Gigging I Was Hitting Every Jam Session I Could Find. I Couldn’t Get Enough." It Was During This Time That He Developed His Own Powerful Gospel-Flavored Vocal Style And Electrifying Stage Presence. After Playing Rhythm Guitar With Local Artists Like Wayne Baker Brooks And Joanna Connor Toronzo Decided To Form His Own Band The Cannonball Express. He Immediately Was In Demand Playing Some Of Chicago’s Greatest Blues Venues Like Buddy Guy’s Legends House Of Blues Kingston Mines B.L.U.E.S Blue Chicago Lee's Unleaded As Well As Shows From Kentucky To Delaware And Iowa To Indiana. He Also Became A Popular Festival Attraction Playing The Chicago Blues Festival For 8 Consecutive Years And The 2008 San Jose Blues Festival With Other Local Young Guns Chico Banks And Mike Wheeler. Internationally Toronzo Has Been Flown Into Latvia As A Featured Solo Artist Three Times Over The Past Few Years And Has Just Completed A Successful Tour In Mexico Durban South Africa And France 2011. read less