Joyann Parker
North Street Cabaret 610 North St., Madison, Wisconsin 53704

Joyann Parker and band.
(2018 pick) Parker has been called “a sober Janis Joplin,” and a “taller Shamikia Copeland.” Neither does justice to the best blues howler the Twin Cities have ever produced. She can swing like Etta James, but she can climb the scale like Aretha, too. Surrounded by a four-star band, Parker is an inventive pianist with a fluid, jazz-inflected style. She can also crush the blues guitar. Kudos to North Street Cabaret for this booking. The smallish room will explode this night.