Joanne Shaw Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16, quickly earning a spot on tour with his supergroup, D.U.P., and launching a remarkable career. Celebrated for her extraordinary guitar skills, Joanne has garnered acclaim from notables like Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder, and Annie Lennox. By her 30s, she became one of the most sought-after guitarists in rock.
Joanne released her debut album, White Sugar, in 2009 on Ruf Records, showcasing her distinct soulful voice and advanced songwriting. She followed with critically acclaimed albums like Diamonds in the Dirt (2010) and Almost Always Never (2012), which included the UK radio hit “Soul Station.” Her subsequent albums, The Dirty Truth and Wild, continued to build her reputation, leading to a performance on BBC’s “Later with Jools Holland.”
Her career milestone came with Reckless Heart (2019), which broke into the UK Top 20 Album Chart, followed by The Blues Album (2021), produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Her 2022 album, Blues from the Heart Live, also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Album chart.
Her 2024 album, Heavy Soul, produced by Kevin Shirley, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. It celebrates a fusion of contemporary soul-pop and traditional blues roots, praised for its powerful lyrics and soul-stirring melodies. This album marks a significant evolution in her career, highlighting her growth as an artist and solidifying her status as a dynamic force in the blues-rock world.
Joanne’s 10th studio album, Black & Gold, was released to great critical acclaim on June 6, 2025, via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album blends blues-rock with influences from Americana, indie rock, and retro ’80s pop, further redefining the boundaries of the genre and marking a bold new chapter in Joanne’s prolific career.
Joanne featured on B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – a tribute album co-produced by Joe Bonamassa that celebrates the King’s 100th birthday. The album was released by KTBA Records on February 6, 2026.
On October 23, 2027, Joanne released her 11th studio album The Trouble With Love, produced by Kevin Shirley. The album features the singles Hell or Highwater, What Good Is My Love, Bad Boy, Tired of Being Right, and the title track The Trouble With Love.