(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
Following his widely celebrated Damn Right Farewell and Damn Right Encore tours, Buddy Guy continues to defy expectations, proving that the blues are not only alive—it's thriving. The Buddy Guy 90 Tour honors a career that has shaped generations of musicians while showcasing the fire, emotion, and authenticity that have defined his live performances for more than seven decades.
Born in Lettsworth, Louisiana, and forged in the clubs of Chicago, Buddy Guy pioneered the explosive West Side sound that influenced artists ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. His blistering guitar work, raw vocals, and unmistakable showmanship helped rewrite the language of electric blues, bridging tradition and innovation in equal measure.
2025 made it clear that Guy has no intention of slowing down. From a pivotal role in Ryan Coogler's cultural phenomenon Sinners to the release of Ain't Done With the Blues, a critically acclaimed album produced by longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge and featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, and Joe Bonamassa. Released on his 89th birthday, the album reaffirmed what fans already know: Buddy Guy is still creating vital, relevant music with urgency, grit, and soul.
Tickets start at $93 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm.
The Buddy Guy 90 Tour offers audiences a rare opportunity to witness a living legend. A celebration not just of longevity, but of an artist who continues to perform with the passion and power that made him an icon, these shows are a tribute to the blues, its past, its future, and one of its greatest champions.
A true pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, Buddy Guy has been hailed as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. With a career spanning over seven decades, Guy's blistering guitar work and passionate vocals have earned him multiple Grammy® Awards, a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a National Medal of Arts.
State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS featured it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.
