Janiva Magness is back with a fiery new single, “Holes,” featuring Grammy-nominated guitarist Sue Foley. When asked about the track, Janiva warned, “Careful now, this one might sting… Owww! It’s that jolt of realization that the hole we’re stuck in? We dug it ourselves!” She adds, “The drums take control and demand you move and groove. Sue Foley’s guitar ties it all together so seamlessly, and before you know it, you’re shaking what you’ve got, stomping your feet, and shouting along to that irresistible chorus!”
The new album Back for Me, out March 28 via Blue Élan Records, is produced by Janiva’s longtime collaborator and friend Dave Darling. The album’s foundation is held down by Darling and his rock-solid band, featuring drummer W.F. Quinn Smith, bassist Ian Walker, and keyboardists Sasha Smith and Phil Parlapiano. Guitars from John Schroeder, Robert “Chalo” Ortiz, and Nick Maybury add flavor, while blues harp player TJ Norton also makes a mark.
Special guest appearances include guitar legends Joe Bonamassa, Sue Foley, and Jesse Dayton, each contributing their own unique magic. Janiva credits the band with adding rich layers to the songs, and though many of the musicians were new to her, she instantly felt their fresh energy as soon as the sessions began.
Back for Me is a captivating, emotionally charged collection that reaffirms Janiva Magness’ place at the forefront of modern blues, continually evolving and redefining her iconic relationship with the genre. In her search for new material, she’s uncovered a treasure trove of lesser-known gems by celebrated artists like Bill Withers, Ray LaMontagne, Allen Toussaint, and more. “I’ve always been drawn to the B-sides,” she says. “There’s something exciting about bringing those hidden tracks into the light, rather than just covering the hits.”
With seven Blues Music Awards under her belt (including B.B. King Artist of the Year in 2009) and a Grammy nomination for her 2016 album Love Wins Again, Janiva’s career continues to soar. Her 2019 memoir, Weeds Like Us, offered a powerful glimpse into her past, sharing the deep traumas of her youth—losing both of her parents to suicide and enduring the horrors of foster care—along with the hard-won victories that fueled her growth as both an artist and a person.
TOUR DATES:
Feb 19 – Montreal, Quebec – FAI
Mar 19 – Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House
Mar 20 – Philadephia, PA – World Café Life
Mar 21 – Rochester, NY – Mountain Stage
Mar 23 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Social Club – SOLD OUT
Mar 23 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Social Club – Matinee
Mar 26 – Petaluma, CA – Mustic Theater – Krush on the Road
Mar 27 – Bakersfield, CA – World Records Live
Mar 28 – San Francisco, CA – Biscuits & Blues
Mar 29 – Santa Monica, CA – McCabe’s
Apr 2 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door
Apr 3 – New York, NY – Cafe Wha
Apr 4 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
