Renowned Blues Guitarist Tab Benoit Headlines 7th Annual Big Blues Bender Sept. 9-12

Photo: Jean Frank

Guitarist Tab Benoit “The Mayor of Benderville” Returns to The Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas for four consecutive nights, September 9, 10, 11, 12.

The “Mayor of Benderville” guitarist Tab Benoit returns to headline the 7th Annual Big Blues Bender at the Westgate Resort and Casino, Thursday September 9 through Sunday September 12th. Tickets available at The Big Blues Bender here or call 702-518-3222

Benoit performs at the Baller Party (Thursday September 9; 2:30pm-4:30pm); on the Pool Stage with Alastair Greene and Corey Duplechin, (Friday, September 10; 5:45pm-7:15pm); headlines in the International Theater (Saturday, September 11; 10pm-11:45pm); and the Big One in the Bender Ballroom: Tab Benoit’s Midnight Ramble (Sunday, September 12; 12 Midnight-2am), immediately followed by the Bender Brass Wrap Party, from 2am-3am (always runs longer).

Benoit earned the “Mayor of Benderville” nickname due to his leading memorable all-night music jams each year featuring notable guest musicians, while often performing on the drums as well as guitar. Tab and the 2021 Whiskey Bayou Revue are touring throughout 2021. See tour schedule below.

Benoit’s recent “Chicago Takeover” featured the Louisiana-based musician performing for six evenings in June at the famed City Winery. “Tab Benoit residency helps usher in the return of live music in Chicago,” writes the Chicago Sun-Times, who also interviewed Benoit. Read the entire interview, here. Benoit continues to add new dates to the tour, including four consecutive nights at the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas, September 9-12 (updated itinerary below).

Tab and guitarist Samantha Fish performed together last November at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium for a live concert streamed worldwide. “This is an artist whose playing speaks to you as much as his lyrics do,” wrote Music Connection magazine, reviewing Benoit’s Ryman show set. “What Tab lacked in theatrics he made up for with a warm and disarming stage presence and heartfelt playing.”

“Benoit is one of the most impressive guitarists to emerge from Southern Louisiana…his guitar tone and style is easily recognized, as is his soulful voice. The consummate musician and performer, known for his humor and storytelling.” Rock and Blues Muse

The Grammy-nominated Benoit was selected among the “30 Best Blues Guitarists In The World Today” by Guitar World in 2020 and also co-authored the book Blues Therapy, about the blues and mental illness.

Benoit, known throughout his thirty-plus career for his environmental activism, performed two nights in his hometown of Houma at the memorable 16th Annual Voice of the Wetlands Festival. He also appears prominently in the IMax motion picture Hurricane on the Bayou, a documentary of Hurricane Katrina’s effects and a call to protect and restore the Wetlands, and produced a CD to help restore that state’s Coastal Wetlands. Benoit was inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists in the Spring of 2020.

Whiskey Bayou Records is a partnership between Benoit and his partner and manager, Rueben Williams. The label has thus far released albums by such established and up-and-coming artists as Eric McFadden, JP Soars, Alastair Greene, Damon Fowler, Eric Johanson, Jeff McCarty, and Dash Rip Rock.

Watch “These Arms of Mine” Tab Benoit, Live at The Funky Biscuit May 2021. Video thanks to datflys.