Wayne Baker Brooks

Wayne Baker Brooks live at City Winery Chicago - Sunday, January 7th at 7:00 PM!

See 2023 Chicago Music Award "Best Blues Entertainer" and the 2023 Little Milton Campbell Blues Award winner live at City Winery!

Wayne Baker Brooks is considered one of today’s top guitarists whose signature style combines powerful vocals with liquid fire guitar playing that honors his rich blues heritage yet effortlessly expands 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 Brook's blues roots may run deeper and broader than the Great Lakes themselves.  

Chicago Blues laid the foundation for Wayne's innovative style. Growing up Brooks was a regular visitor to such historic places as Chess Studios, Checkerboard Lounge, Wisefools, and many other blues landmarks at which he witnessed many live performances by blues masters like Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells, Luther Allison, KoKo Taylor, the great Muddy Waters, & his father. The youngest son of blues master Lonnie Brooks - Wayne Brooks was literally born into the blues!  

Leaving no way around the fate appointed him he soon joined his father's (Lonnie Brooks)  band as his rhythm guitarist then quickly became the musical director. Then in 1997, he formed the Wayne Baker Brooks Band while continuing to work with his father's band. He made a cameo appearance in the film Blues Brothers 2000. 

Along with releasing his book “Blues for Dummies” he was soon touring the world and featured on national TV  programs (including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, & CNN's "Showbiz"), as well as ongoing radio programs, print media, & special media events including performing for First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton at Chess Studios (Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Foundation) with legends Bo Diddley, Lonnie Brooks, KoKo Taylor. After Wayne and his special guest's exhilarating set, Hillary stated, "My husband is going to be so jealous he missed this!".