Blues Foundation Announces 2026 Keeping The Blues Alive Honorees
THE BLUES FOUNDATION SALUTES 2026 KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE HONOREES. IT WILL TAKE PLACE DURING INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE WEEK, JANUARY 13-JANUARY 17.
The Blues Foundation enters its 45th year by announcing the 2026 Keeping The Blues Alive (KBA) Award recipients. They will be celebrated during International Blues Challenge Week in Memphis. The dates are Tuesday, January 13 through Saturday, January 17, 2026.
This year’s KBA honorees are:
Cognac Blues Passions
John Anderson
Jeff Davis
Michael Gray
Jazz Alley
Nola Blue Records
Jim Hartzell
Robert Terrell
Mark Jacobson
As in the past, The Keeping The Blues Alive Awards salute individuals, organizations, and institutions that have made significant contributions to preserving and advancing blues culture. Honorees will be recognized at the KBA Awards Brunch . The brunch is on Friday, January 16 at 10:30 a.m.. The Hyatt Centric in Memphis is the venue. Tickets are available at: blues.org.
CEREMONY
The ceremony is part of the Blues Foundation’s 40th Annual International Blues Challenge (IBC), the world’s largest and most prestigious blues competition. IBC Week kicks off Tuesday, January 13 with international showcases along historic Beale Street and concludes with the Finals at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, January 17 at 12 noon.
As to be expected, more than 1,000 musicians from around the world will gather in Memphis for a week filled with showcases, jams, workshops, panels, master classes, film screenings, book signings, and late-night performances across Beale Street’s legendary venues.
The Blues Foundation will again host free health screenings for musicians and attendees — including diabetes, cholesterol, PSA, and Hepatitis C testing — through its HART Fund on Wednesday and Thursday of IBC Week.
IBC Week is supported this year by ArtsMemphis, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Memphis Tourism, Memphis Airport Authority, BMI®, and broadcast partner DittyTV.
To purchase IBC passes, KBA Brunch tickets, or seating upgrades for the Finals, visit: secure.blues.org.
Schedules, hotel links, and more information, can be found at Blues.org.
