“The Blues are the roots, the rest are the fruits” B.B. King.

When was very young, B.B. King invited Joe Bonamassa on stage to perform with him.  Crediting King with shaping his approach to music, Bonamassa said, “he mentored me.  But I wasn’t the only one.”

Now in celebration of the upcoming 100th birthday next year, Bonamassa and Josh Smith are collaborating for a tribute album.

The first five songs are available now; with the remainder being slowly revealed between now and next February until all 32 tracks are out.

Once all 32 songs are released, they will be available as a digital download, double CD and triple LP on February 6, 2026.

Speaking on King, Bonamassa said, “very few people in music define the genre in which they flourish, and B.B. King is one of them. When B.B. was alive and active, he was the blues – he was the sun which all planets rotated around. Only a few artists are the true north guiding the genre in which they participated, but he was that shining star.”

The collection are King’s songs interpreted by a collection of some of the biggest legends and powerhouses in music including Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Bobby Rush, George Benson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and D.K. Harrell.

Bonamassa called the project “a true labor of love.”

Before Ume announced a year long celebration for King’s 100th birthday, Bonamassa came up with the idea for the album.  With the blessing of King’s estate, Joe got to work, enlisting the help of other artists to create the album that was nine months in the making.

B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – Full Tracklist 
Disc 1:
1. “Paying The Cost To Be The Boss” with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
2. “Don’t Answer The Door” with Marcus King
3. “To Know You Is To Love You” with Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks
4. “Let The Good Times Roll” with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Noah Hunt
5.” Sweet Little Angel” Buddy Guy
6. “When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)” with Larry McCray
7. “When Love Comes To Town” with Slash, Shemekia Copeland, and Myles Kennedy
8. “The Thrill Is Gone”
9. “Watch Yourself” with Jimmie Vaughan
10. “Why I Sing The Blues” with Bobby Rush
11. “Sweet Sixteen” with Jimmy Hall and Larry Carlton
12. “Don’t You Want A Man Like Me” with Larkin Poe
13. “I’ll Survive” with Keb’ Mo’
14. “Heartbreaker” with Trombone Shorty and Eric Gales
15. “There Must Be A Better World Somewhere” with George Benson
16. “Chains And Things” Gary Clark Jr.

Disc 2:
1. “How Blue Can You Get” with Warren Haynes
2. “You Upset Me Baby” with Chris Cain
3. “Ghetto Woman” with Ivan Neville
4. “Night Life” with Paul Rodgers
5. “Ain’t Nobody Home” Jade MacRae and Robben Ford
6. “Bad Case Of Love” with Joanne Shaw Taylor
7. “Never Make A Move Too Soon”with Dion
8. “Three O’Clock Blues” with Marc Broussard
9. “Think It Over” with Train and Chris Buck
10. “It’s My Own Fault” with Kim Wilson
11. “Every Day I Have The Blues” with D.K. Harrell
12. “Please Accept My Love” with John Nemeth
13. “So Excited” with Aloe Blacc
14. “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer” with Dannielle De Andrea
15. “Playin’ With My Friends”
16. “Better Not Look Down” with Kirk Fletcher