Concert

Blues icon Robert Cray brings his band to Minneapolis at the Pantages Theatre on Friday, April 9, 2027

TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON FRIDAY, NOV. 13 AT 10 A.M.

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 12, 2026) —Hennepin Arts has announced that blues icon, soul man, rock and roller Robert Cray is heading to Minneapolis at the historic Pantages Theatre (710 Hennepin Ave.) on Friday, April 9, 2027 at 8 p.m. The Georgia-born son-of-a-soldier was raised on US Army bases, Cray first picked up a guitar after seeing the Beatles on TV then, having witnessed Jimi Hendrix perform while still at high school, determined to follow a similar path.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. to the general public at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis) and online at HennepinArts.org.

“I guess you'd have to say that we were lucky,” reflects Cray on his life in music, “because, growing up in the 1960s, the different music played on the radio really opened us up. I mean, we even had Albert Collins play our High School graduation party.”

From forming a teenage garage band, through to striding the stage alongside several of the world’s greatest guitarists, Robert Cray’s story is one of struggle and commitment. Struggle and commitment that led to Cray enjoying phenomenal success – selling millions of albums and countless concert tickets, winning five Grammy Awards, being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, recipient of the Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award, designing two signature model Fender guitars – yet for Robert what’s always mattered most is the music.

Every note he plays counts, every song he sings is delivered as if it is his last: integrity and intensity are what has guided Cray’s musical career. He has never cheapened his output or delivered a substandard performance. Indeed, his commitment to making music of the highest standard has won Cray both a loyal audience and the respect of legendary artists.

Robert Cray has shared stage and/or studio with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Albert Collins, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Memphis Horns and Hi Rhythm Section. Cray’s stinging guitar playing and soulful voice, his skills as a band leader and performer, mark him as keeper of the flame for American roots music, an artist who never fails to deliver.

“We were so lucky just be able to see them,” says Cray of trading guitar licks on stage with legends of blues, rock and soul, “let alone share the stage with them - what an experience!”

Cray’s rise to the top was, like his music, a slow burn. He built a following in small towns across the Pacific Northwest, enjoying local hero status – so much so in 1978 he was cast (as a musician) in Animal House, the blockbuster comedy that made John Belushi a star – before he released a record. 1978 was also the year Cray recorded his debut album, Who’s Been Talkin’, although Tomato Records’ internal problems held up Talkin’s release until 1980. And then, just as Talkin’ was gaining attention, Tomato collapsed into bankruptcy.

Got the blues? Young Robert certainly could have claimed he had them. But Cray isn’t given to complaining, instead he persevered, committed then, as he is now, to taking his music to the people.

After Tomato became music biz ketchup, Cray and his band – today consisting of Richard Cousins (bass guitar – there since high school), Dover Weinberg (keyboards) and Les Falconer (drums) – used the momentum the album gave them to play further afield. By now Cray was buddies with a young guitarist from Texas, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

“We played in 1979 at the San Francisco Blues Festival,” recalls Cray, “and I watched Stevie’s show and he's just smoking. Afterwards Richard and I went up and chatted with him and we just hit it off. Stevie was great - if we were in Austin he’d always come and join us on stage.”

Hennepin Arts drives cultural and economic vitality in Minnesota through leadership of the dynamic Hennepin Theatre District in downtown Minneapolis and educational programming that reaches every area of the state. Its historic theatres — Orpheum, State and Pantages — and the Dudley Riggs Theatre light up Hennepin Avenue with top-tier entertainment, including the best of Broadway and a wide variety of arts programming. Hennepin Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at HennepinArts.org.

This activity is made possible by voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.