David Maxwell, one of the great blues pianists of his generation, died on Friday, Feb. 13 as a result of prostate cancer. He was 70. David was a proud student of all the older generation masters of blues keyboards and probably the finest purveyor of the Otis Spann tradition and style in the world (David learned directly from Otis). He played with Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Freddie King, Hubert Sumlin, Louisiana Red and Levon Helm, among many others. David appeared on all three Alligator albums by his close friend, Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin. David’s "Conversations in Blue: David Maxwell / Otis Spann" CD won the 2012 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Album of the Year. His latest CD, Blues in Other Colors, received widespread acclaim for his fusing of traditional blues, using non-western instruments, with music from other countries. More details can be found on his website at www.davidmaxwell.com David was a modest, smart, funny and sweet man who always brought 100% of his talent to whatever recording or gig he was part of. He was deservedly beloved by his fellow musicians and honored by fans worldwide. – Bruce Iglauer

If you missed Jarekus Singleton’s performance on the live weekly webcast/radio broadcast Music City Roots - Live from the Factory on February 11th, you can see his stunning performance here. Jarekus’ performance begins around the 1:12:35 mark.

Michael Garrett, who has played guitar and sung with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials for over 25 years, recently suffered a heart attack and required quadruple bypass surgery. The good news is that the surgery went well and a complete recovery is expected, though Mike won’t be able to perform for some weeks. The bad news is that Michael and his family are without income until he can get back on the road. Here’s the story from Mike’s wife, Lisa Wolancevich. Read the full story here and see how you can help.

Nine brand new digital-only Best Of collections from Alligator are available starting today. These nine are available exclusively through iTunes until 1/14. Also included is the already-available Best Of Michael Burks. Perfect gifts for the holidays (and a perfect gift for you to give to yourself)! Order yours here. 

The Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 2015 Blues Music Awards, the blues world's highest honors. Seven Alligator recording artists received a total of 19 nominations: Elvin Bishop (6), Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (4), Jarekus Singleton (3), Marcia Ball (2), Joe Louis Walker (2), Selwyn Birchwood (1), Curtis Salgado (1) and . For additional details see here.

TuneIn -- the world's largest audio network -- officially launched Alligator Records Radio today (12/9). The Alligator Records Radio station will stream songs 24/7 from Alligator's extensive catalog of music covering 43 years of blues and roots rock releases. The station, featuring themed and special programs, is available here or fans can simply search "Alligator Records" on the free TuneIn Radio app (at iTunes or Google Play) or on TuneIn.com to listen to Alligator Records Radio. 

The nationally syndicated NPR radio program World Cafe featured Alligator recording Selwyn Birchwood  September 18th. NPR’s World Café with host David Dye can be heard on over 200 stations nationwide. Listen to the interview and performance here.

American Blues Scene conducted an in-depth interview with Jarekus Singleton while he was in Canada for the Mt. Tremblant Blues Festival. Read up on his history, the personal stories incorporated into writing, his influences and more. Read the interview here. 

Blurt Magazine reviews Jarekus Singleton's Alligator debut, Refuse To Lose, "On Refuse to Lose he joints together hip hop wordplay, rock and roll energy, R&B grooves and both contemporary and traditional blues into something so unique as to be visionary." Read the full review here.

Elvin Bishop’s brand new Alligator Records CD, Can’t Even Do Wrong Right, received high praise on today’s edition of the nationally syndicated NPR program, Fresh Air. In his review, Fresh Air’s Pop Music critic Ken Tucker called Bishop’s music “completely fresh” and “enduring and fun,” and said, “Few young whippersnappers feature the stuff that makes Elvin Bishop such a continuing gas--the raspy chuckle in his singing and the sharp sting of his guitar. He invites you to contradict the title of this album, to insist that he can do wrong right. Just right.” You can listen to the entire review online here. 

Selwyn Birchwood’s electrifying afternoon performance today for WXPN’s Free At Noon series (8/22)...he held nothing back! You can see great action shots from the show and hear the set here.

The nationally syndicated NPR radio program World Cafe featured Alligator recording artist Jarekus Singleton today, July 30th. Listen to the interview and hear his story here.

Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer to receive “Iconic Innovators” Award from Airplay Direct.  Read all about it here. 

Don’t Call No Ambulance, the brand Alligator Records debut from Tampa, FL’s Selwyn Birchwood, receives high praise in a review at RollingStone.com, "a powerhouse player and emotive performer whose work respects blues tradition but could not be more contemporary…Highly recommended.” Read the full review here.

Bruce Iglauer, Alligator founder and president, was honored last week when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from A2IM (American Association of Independent Music). His acceptance speech was hailed as one of the highlights of last week's A2IM Libera Awards. Iglauer discussed the history and perseverance of Alligator and the many challenges facing the indie music community. You can read the entire speech here. 

On June 25, The National Endowment For The Arts (NEA) announced that soul/blues/gospel legends The Holmes Brothers (Wendell Holmes, Sherman Holmes and Popsy Dixon) will receive a coveted and prestigious National Heritage Fellowship. For the full story, see here.

Alligator’s two young bluesmen, Selwyn Birchwood and Jarekus Singleton, are featured in the Washington Post Style Section this weekend. These visionary singer/songwriter/guitarists are carrying the torch for the next generation of blues! Read the feature here.