Music fans in New York City were treated to an unforgettable evening on January 15 as the first 2026 installment of the Soho Sessions brought together guitar legends, emerging talents, and Hollywood personalities for a night of charity and rock. Joe Bonamassa and Slash led the show, performing classics by the Beatles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bruce Springsteen, and blues icons.
The intimate concert also spotlighted young talent, philanthropy, and collaborations that showcased the depth of rock and blues today.
Joe Bonamassa Welcomes a Young Prodigy
“This man wrote ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’” joked Bonamassa, pointing to Guns N’ Roses’ Slash. “Seeing this young man up here makes me realize how f–ked I am.” The 11-year-old guitar prodigy, Bay Melnick Virgolino, joined the stage for a stirring rendition of B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone,” leaving the audience in awe.
Proceeds from the event went to Bonamassa’s non-profit, Keeping the Blues Alive, which supports music students and educators. “To this day, my little foundation has raised over three million dollars, and we’ve given all away to schools and during the pandemic, to artists who lost gigs,” said Bonamassa. “And it’s something I’m most proud of.”
Soho Sessions: A Stage for Legends and Causes
Produced by Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter of RWE Partners, Soho Sessions has supported philanthropic causes such as mental health, music education, and gun safety since 2021. Past guests have included Keith Richards, Paul Simon, Rickie Lee Jones, Mavis Staples, Lukas Nelson, Norah Jones, and many more.
The evening began with unplugged acoustic jams, including Bad Company’s and Eric Clapton’s take on the Charlie Segar blues classic “Key to the Highway.” Later, Bonamassa and Slash plugged in, joined by Larry Campbell, keyboardist Eric Finland, bassist Mike Hess, and drummer Shawn Pelton, for Bobby “Blue” Bland’s 1957 song “Further On Up the Road.”
Iconic Covers and Special Guests
Bonamassa also invited photographer Danny Clinch to play harmonica on Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” joking, “He takes some of the most iconic images, but one thing we don’t have a picture of from Danny Clinch that I would buy a lithograph of is Danny taking a picture of himself playing harmonica.”
Actor and musician Hank Azaria performed Bruce Springsteen’s “Prove It All Night,” while Tash Neal joined for covers of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and CSNY’s “Ohio” with Paul Shaffer. The night closed with 19-year-old guitarist Grace Bowers leading the band through Freddie King’s 1971 blues classic “Going Down,” keeping Bonamassa’s charitable spirit alive.
The Soho Sessions demonstrated how rock and blues legends can create memorable collaborations while supporting future generations of musicians, combining artistry, mentorship, and community in one extraordinary night.