James 'JB' Barnes (shown here) recently released a critically-acclaimed album, My Mississippi Roots.
(ASBURY, NJ) -- Muddy Waters Gastropub presents some high-quality original blues when respected New Jersey-based bluesman James 'JB' Barnes and his JB & the JB Blues Band perform in concert on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm. This is a CD Release Party for Barnes' critically-lauded new album, My Mississippi Blues. Free MMB CDs will be given to the first ten paid admissions.
James Barnes — known to audiences throughout the region as JB — carries the blues in his blood. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in New Jersey after his family moved east in 1965, he grew up steeped in the sound and spirit of the music. On his father's side, JB traces his lineage back to Mississippi, the wellspring from which so much of this tradition flows. Those "Mississippi Roots" became more than just family history; they formed the bedrock of his artistic calling.
In 2016, the New Jersey Blues Hall of Fame recognized that devotion, honoring him as a "Great Blues Artist." His first recording, JB's Favorite Things (2023), established him as an independent artist with something genuine to say. His long-running band, BBD Rhythm & Blues, which he founded in 2012, has been carrying that message across clubs, festivals, and concert halls throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware for more than a decade.
Tickets for the record release show are $10 at the door. Muddy Waters Gastropub is located at 1090 NJ-73 in Asbury, New Jersey.
What The Media Is Saying About 'My Mississippi Roots'
"With My Mississippi Roots, James "JB" Barnes delivers a record that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a living testament to heritage, hard truth, and the staying power of the blues." - North Jersey Blues Society
"Give a listen to My Mississippi Roots, and you'll feel the truth...a great disc, and I can't wait to hear more from him." - Blue Monday Monthly
"James JB Barnes is a multi-award-winning musician who has delivered an album of real quality. Well worth searching out and delving into, he is the epitome of a top, modern Bluesman." - Music-News.com
