Bobby Thompson and Karen Jonas in Annapolis, MD
Singer-songwriter Karen Jonas and virtuoso guitarist Bobby Thompson come to 49 West for a night of Americana and roots music.
ITZALL Goode and SHC Music Tribe Present
Bobby Thompson and Karen Jonas
March 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM
49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar, and Gallery
7 PM Doors
Online Tickets $20 - Door $25
If you prefer not to purchase in advance, please call to reserve a seat at (410) 626-9796. You will pay the door price. If you buy a ticket online, it is your reservation. Please don't call the venue.
ABOUT BOBBY:
Website: bobbytmusic.net
Rivals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z9Z7S9_2Kc
Bobby Thompson is a mesmerizing guitarist and captivating vocalist who has carved out a place as one of the mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic blues and rock artists. Cutting his teeth in Washington, D.C.’s legendary blues clubs, he absorbed the lessons of mentors like Bobby Parker and Tom Principato, forging a style that blends fiery guitar work with soulful storytelling. Transitioning from an in-demand supporting player to a solo artist, Thompson has released a steady catalog of acclaimed albums since 2011, establishing himself as a creative force with both songwriting depth and stage presence.
Renowned for his courage and creativity, Thompson uses music as a window into his own self-expression. Whether performing solo with an acoustic guitar or leading a full electric band, his authenticity and professionalism captivate audiences. Over time, his artistry has evolved beyond his guitar-centric beginnings, growing into a holistic vision of songwriting, performance, and connection that has earned him a devoted fan base. His live shows are known for their transformative energy, carrying listeners on journeys that are as emotional as they are musical.
Deeply rooted in blues and folk traditions, Thompson prioritizes authentic interpretation and original composition over imitation. He draws inspiration from blues icons like Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr., and Mississippi John Hurt, as well as folk innovators such as John Fahey. The influence of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, and Bob Dylan runs deep in his songwriting, which often explores the shared ground between folk and blues. His commitment to preserving and reinterpreting these traditions ensures that they remain vital in the present day, while pushing them into new directions.
ABOUT KAREN:
Website: karenjonasmusic.com
Watch and Listen https://www.karenjonasmusic.com/media
On her latest single “Arson Games” (Aug 1), singer-songwriter Karen Jonas slips beneath the surface of a romantic encounter that feels less like a date and more like a supernova. With poetic precision and cinematic heat, Jonas crafts a fever dream of cosmic flirtation and chaotic intimacy — set somewhere between a dimly lit restaurant and the edge of the known universe.
“You light a match and toss it in a can of gasoline…” she sings, breathless and deliberate, drawing listeners into a world where desire is volatile, words dissolve, and the body becomes both fuel and flame. It’s sultry, strange, and unapologetically smart — a love song that’s also a chemical reaction.
Produced with whiskey-soaked, reverb-drenched minimalism, blending Americana roots with indie noir, “arson games” is unmistakably Jonas: raw, curious, and unflinching. The focus on the lyric serves as a fitting bridge to the accompanying book of poetry, Poetic Evidence.
Poetic Evidence (Aug 1) is Jonas’s sophomore literary offering—a hard-hitting, romantic, and fiercely funny collection of poetry chronicling modern love in all its beautiful dysfunction. From moonlit obsessions to feminine awakenings, swooning daydreams to hungover heartbreaks, she loves hard and risks harder. Poetic Evidence is for anyone who’s ever cried in the bathtub, chased a feeling, or flirted with fate.
Jonas brings her musical voice to the page in a style that Rolling Stone Germany called “a bit wicked and a bit dangerous.” Her poems are sexy, self-aware, and soaked in whiskey and stardust. Each verse is a confession and a celebration of what it means to feel deeply in a world that often asks us not to.
Singer-songwriter Karen Jonas and virtuoso guitarist Bobby Thompson come to 49 West for a night of Americana and roots music.
ITZALL Goode and SHC Music Tribe Present
Bobby Thompson and Karen Jonas
March 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM
49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar, and Gallery
7 PM Doors
Online Tickets $20 - Door $25
If you prefer not to purchase in advance, please call to reserve a seat at (410) 626-9796. You will pay the door price. If you buy a ticket online, it is your reservation. Please don't call the venue.
ABOUT BOBBY:
Website: bobbytmusic.net
Rivals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z9Z7S9_2Kc
Bobby Thompson is a mesmerizing guitarist and captivating vocalist who has carved out a place as one of the mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic blues and rock artists. Cutting his teeth in Washington, D.C.’s legendary blues clubs, he absorbed the lessons of mentors like Bobby Parker and Tom Principato, forging a style that blends fiery guitar work with soulful storytelling. Transitioning from an in-demand supporting player to a solo artist, Thompson has released a steady catalog of acclaimed albums since 2011, establishing himself as a creative force with both songwriting depth and stage presence.
Renowned for his courage and creativity, Thompson uses music as a window into his own self-expression. Whether performing solo with an acoustic guitar or leading a full electric band, his authenticity and professionalism captivate audiences. Over time, his artistry has evolved beyond his guitar-centric beginnings, growing into a holistic vision of songwriting, performance, and connection that has earned him a devoted fan base. His live shows are known for their transformative energy, carrying listeners on journeys that are as emotional as they are musical.
Deeply rooted in blues and folk traditions, Thompson prioritizes authentic interpretation and original composition over imitation. He draws inspiration from blues icons like Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr., and Mississippi John Hurt, as well as folk innovators such as John Fahey. The influence of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, and Bob Dylan runs deep in his songwriting, which often explores the shared ground between folk and blues. His commitment to preserving and reinterpreting these traditions ensures that they remain vital in the present day, while pushing them into new directions.
ABOUT KAREN:
Website: karenjonasmusic.com
Watch and Listen https://www.karenjonasmusic.com/media
On her latest single “Arson Games” (Aug 1), singer-songwriter Karen Jonas slips beneath the surface of a romantic encounter that feels less like a date and more like a supernova. With poetic precision and cinematic heat, Jonas crafts a fever dream of cosmic flirtation and chaotic intimacy — set somewhere between a dimly lit restaurant and the edge of the known universe.
“You light a match and toss it in a can of gasoline…” she sings, breathless and deliberate, drawing listeners into a world where desire is volatile, words dissolve, and the body becomes both fuel and flame. It’s sultry, strange, and unapologetically smart — a love song that’s also a chemical reaction.
Produced with whiskey-soaked, reverb-drenched minimalism, blending Americana roots with indie noir, “arson games” is unmistakably Jonas: raw, curious, and unflinching. The focus on the lyric serves as a fitting bridge to the accompanying book of poetry, Poetic Evidence.
Poetic Evidence (Aug 1) is Jonas’s sophomore literary offering—a hard-hitting, romantic, and fiercely funny collection of poetry chronicling modern love in all its beautiful dysfunction. From moonlit obsessions to feminine awakenings, swooning daydreams to hungover heartbreaks, she loves hard and risks harder. Poetic Evidence is for anyone who’s ever cried in the bathtub, chased a feeling, or flirted with fate.
Jonas brings her musical voice to the page in a style that Rolling Stone Germany called “a bit wicked and a bit dangerous.” Her poems are sexy, self-aware, and soaked in whiskey and stardust. Each verse is a confession and a celebration of what it means to feel deeply in a world that often asks us not to.
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 hours 30 minutes
- In person
- Doors at 7PM
Refund Policy
Location
49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery
49 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
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