Photo: Christie Goodwin
Joe Bonamassa Releases New Single ‘The Last Matador of Bayonne’ Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra
In a continued celebration of his historic performance at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Joe Bonamassa announces the release of his latest single “The Last Matador Of Bayonne” from the acclaimed live album and film Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra, out May 17th via J&R Adventures. This emotionally charged song offers listeners a vivid narrative, blending Bonamassa’s signature guitar prowess with the grandeur of a full orchestra, encapsulating the essence of bravery and the contemplative spirit of a matador facing his fate. “The Last Matador Of Bayonne” was arranged by legendary composer David Campbell and also features a captivating trumpet solo by Rashawn Ross, longtime Dave Matthews Band member.
Trumpet soloist Rashawn Ross performs a haunting solo before Joe Bonamassa and the full orchestra gently ease in on “The Last Matador of Bayonne.” Bonamassa plays for feel on his melodic guitar-driven ballad. A beautiful guitar solo in true Bonamassa form, focuses on drawing in the listener with subtle guitar riffs and vibrato to tell the story of one final night before the curtain falls. His vocal is equally soulful, gentle, as if summoning the melancholy tale of a final performance from deep within. With strings behind him, Bonamassa’s new single is deeply enhanced by the full orchestra.
“The Last Matador of Bayonne”–Live At The Hollywood Bowl with Orchestra
Stream the new single HERE
The song was hand-picked from Joe’s 2011 studio album Dust Bowl to be on this orchestra set. “There’s a Bayonne in France, which is where this song got its title,” Bonamassa shares. “I was doing amphitheater dates in Europe back in 2010 with ZZ Top, and in a lot of these cities, when they say ‘Amphitheater,’ they’re not kidding. They’re talking about Roman-style bullrings. Over the years, I think they phased out the killing of the bulls. The matadors are there more for show these days. But during one of these gigs, I was standing in one of the areas where the matadors were kept, and I saw this little door. So, I opened it and I saw this little prayer booth, where I guess a matador would sit and pray before going out to face a bull. I started to think, Who was the last guy to do this? It was a great concept for a song – again, to think that you may die doing what you do for a living.”
Following the album’s lead single, the riveting live rendition of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s classic “Twenty-Four Hour Blues,” “The Last Matador Of Bayonne” continues to showcase Bonamassa’s ability to convey deep, resonant stories through his music. This release further emphasizes the dynamic range and emotional depth present throughout Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra, offering fans a new layer of storytelling woven with blues and rock.
Pre-order the album HERE
Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra showcases Bonamassa’s virtuosic blend of blues and rock but also elevates fan-favourite tracks with grandiose orchestral arrangements by some of Hollywood’s finest – David Campbell, Trevor Rabin, and Jeff Bova. “Very few gigs represent my journey in music more than the Hollywood Bowl. I moved to Los Angeles in 2003 in search of opportunity and cheaper rent than New York City. My first gig at The Mint was attended by 5 of my friends and that’s all. We have played The Greek Theatre many times since, but the Bowl has always been a dream. The orchestra and the sheer scale of the event and venue is something I will never forget. I am so grateful that we filmed this special event in my life,” reminisces Bonamassa.
Available in CD/DVD, CD/BR, 2 LP Vinyl, and digital formats, the release captures the essence of Bonamassa’s career, highlighting his exceptional talent and the impactful fusion of blues, rock, and orchestral music.
Following the momentum from his U.S. Spring Tour and the ninth annual voyage of his KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AT SEA cruise, Bonamassa is set to captivate audiences across Europe with a series of performances, paving the way for his eagerly awaited “Blues Deluxe Tour” in the U.S. this summer. Beginning August 2nd in Selbyville, DE, and culminating in an unforgettable two-night performance in Hampton Beach, NH, on August 30th and 31st, the tour celebrates Bonamassa’s seminal albums Blues Deluxe and its chart-topping successor, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. This 21-city tour will showcase an electrifying mix of Bonamassa’s classics and deep tracks live for the first time, alongside a band of world-class musicians. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit HERE
Bonamassa’s impact on the blues-rock genre is immeasurable. Guitar World has hailed him as “the world’s biggest blues guitarist,” a testament to his skill, influence, and role in bringing blues-rock to the forefront of the music scene. With a career spanning over three decades, Bonamassa has consistently captivated audiences around the globe with his dynamic live performances and musical ingenuity.
EU Spring 2024 Tour Tour Dates See HERE
US Summer 2024 Blues Deluxe Tour See HERE
Joe Bonamassa website
Amazing performance. I got goosebumps listening to it. It makes me wonder why people say Joe doesn’t have any soul in his playing. What more does he have to do?!