Wayne Baker Brooks

Wayne Baker Brooks serves notice of a new powerful force at play in the music world. Combining outstanding song craft, passionate vocals, and a liquid fire guitar style, this talented artist manages to honor his rich blues heritage while effortlessly expanding the boundaries of the genre.

Born and raised in Chicago, IL amongst the most prolific blues legends and blues masters in the world, Wayne Baker Brooks blues roots may run deeper and wider than the Great Lake Michigan itself, but this truly innovating artist knows no creative boundaries.

Chicago Blues laid the foundation to Wayne’s innovative style. A regular visitor (as a child) at places such as Chess Studios, Checkerboard Lounge, Wisefools, and many other blues landmarks as well as witnessing many live performances by blues masters like Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells, Luther Allsion, KoKo Taylor, the great Muddy Waters, & his father. The youngest son of blues master Lonnie Brooks was born with the blues. With the release of his debut CD “Mystery” in 2004 an album of contemporary blues at it’s best draws on blues, blues rock, soul, funk, & even a bit of hip hop. “Mystery” received multiple awards and accolades including a 4 star review in the All Music Guide.

In addition to releasing his debut he was featured on several TV news programs (including CNN’s “Showbiz”), multiple radio programs (including Mancow Morning Show), performed the 2003 MLB All Star Game @ Chicago White Sox Cellular Field, & even performed for the First Lady of the United States Hilary Rodham Clinton at Chess Studios (Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Foundation) in Chicago with legends Bo Diddley, KoKo Taylor, & his dad as his special guest while Chuck Berry was in attendance. As the conclusion of the band’s explosive set, Hillary pronounced, “My husband is going to be so jealous he missed this!”.

He joined his father’s band (Lonnie Brooks) as a roadie in 1988, and started playing guitar in the band in 1990. In 1997, he formed the Wayne Baker Brooks Band while continuing to work with his father’s band. In 1998, in addition to appearing in the film Blues Brothers 2000, he also co-wrote Blues for Dummies with his father and Cub Koda, earning his first Real Blues magazine award (Keeping the Blues Alive) for the effort.

Career HighLights

Musical Director/Band Leader for City of Chicago’s official send-off for Buddy Guy Kennedy Center Honors.

UK & Ireland Tour

WBB song “Something’s Going Down” aired during all Chicago Bears NFL game broadcasts

Performed at NATO headquarter in Brussels (Member of delegation representing Chicago for 2012 NATO SUMMIT)

Induction into Canada’s Blues Hall of Fame

Single Release of “Changeling” written and produced by Grammy Award Winner Tom Hambridge

Chicago Blues Fest 2011: Music Director, Host of the 40th anniversary set of Alligator Records

Grammy’s Blues Fest Kick-Off Jam at Buddy Guys Legends

14th Annual XRT 93.1fm Blues Breakers Blues Fest Live Broadcast.

Release of Chicago ode & Cross-Genre Track “Something’s Going Down” featuring Twista, GLC and Sugar Blue

Notodden Blues Fest (Main stage)

Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (Formerly King Biscuit)

Headlined Europe’s Historical & Most Prestige Blues Tour “The Chicago Blues Fest Tour”

WXRT 93.1fm Live Broadcast of “WXRT’s Blues Brunch” at Buddy Guys Legends with Buddy Guy (1 million listeners)

Induction into The History Makers: Music Maker Success

Headlined Poconos Blues Fest

Poconos Blues Fest Lifetime Achievement Award “The Brooks Family”

2004 Chicago Blues Festival – Brooks Family

National Release of debut album “Mystery”

Real Blues Magazine Award – “Carry The Torch Award”

Real Blues Magazine Award – “Top Blues Stars of the Future”

Real Blues Magazine Award – “Best Chicago Blues Guitar CD/Modern”

Real Blues Magazine Award – “Best New Chicago Blues Talent/Male”

Real Blues Magazine Award – “Best Chicago Blues Tune/Modern”

Featured twice on the House Of Blues Radio Hour w/ Elwood Blues

Performed at The 2003 Major League Baseball All Star Game

ABC TV Peter Jennings “Fourth of July” Special

2000 The Chicago Blues Festival

1999 Received a phone call from The White House stating the President Bill Clinton read and absolutely loved Wayne’s book “Blues for Dummies” that Wayne spearheaded and co-authored

Performed for The First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton at Chess Records in Chicago, IL

Band Leader, set opener, and host of the “LoneStar Shoot-Out Tour”

Cameo in The Blues Brothers 2000

Authored “Blues for Dummies”

1997 In one day – within 2 hours performed Mancow Morning show, Eric and Kathy Q101, and Fred Winston show reaching 10 million listeners nationwide

Performed at President Bill Clinton’s second Inauguration

Performed at Democratic Convention for Comedy Central

Performed Alligator Records 25th Anniversary Tour