Blues Foundation Announces 2026 KBA Recipients Ahead of 40th International Blues Challenge

6/12/2025

The Blues Foundation proudly enters its 45th year with the announcement of the 2026 Keeping The Blues Alive (KBA) Award recipients, who will be honored during International Blues Challenge (IBC) Week in Memphis, taking place Tuesday, January 13 through Saturday, January 17, 2026.

This year’s KBA honorees are:

Cognac Blues Passions
John Anderson
Jeff Davis
Michael Gray
Jazz Alley
Nola Blue Records
Jim Hartzell
Robert Terrell
Mark Jacobson

The Keeping The Blues Alive Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to preserving, supporting, and advancing blues culture. Honorees will be celebrated at the KBA Awards Brunch on Friday, January 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Centric in Memphis.

The KBA ceremony is a highlight of the 40th Annual International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest and most respected blues competition. IBC Week begins Tuesday, January 13 with international showcases on historic Beale Street and culminates with the Finals at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, January 17 at 12 noon.

More than 1,000 musicians from across the globe will gather in Memphis for a week of performances, jams, workshops, panels, master classes, film screenings, book signings, and late-night sets across Beale Street’s iconic venues.

The Blues Foundation will again provide free health screenings for musicians and attendees on Wednesday and Thursday of IBC Week through its HART Fund, offering testing for diabetes, cholesterol, PSA, and Hepatitis C.

IBC Week is made possible with support from ArtsMemphis, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Memphis Tourism, Memphis Airport Authority, BMI®, and broadcast partner DittyTV.
To purchase IBC passes, KBA Brunch tickets, or Finals seating upgrades, visit secure.blues.org. For full schedules, hotel options, and additional details, visit Blues.org.

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