Ryan Newman

Ryan Newman sat in with John Mayall when he was eleven years old. Not as a novelty act. Not as a cute kid with a big guitar. He played, and the room paid attention. That was the beginning of something that hasn’t slowed down since.

Based in Chester, Connecticut, Newman has built a reputation across Southern New England and New York as one of the most electrifying live blues guitarists working today. They call him the Continental Kid. Black Eyed Sally’s — the Hartford blues institution — put it plainly: “One of the finest young Blues/Rock Guitarists to come along in a very long time.” In 2021, the New England Music Hall of Fame agreed, awarding him their inaugural Best New Artist honor.

He fronts Righteous Continental, a power trio with Tim Leffingwell and Mitch Igneri that plays what they call “Twisted Blues.” Their album Psychoactive was recorded at UConn’s WHUS radio studio the same day the band formed — eleven tracks, no rehearsal, no second takes. Booking agents describe them as “flat out riveting” and kept bringing them back to the Winter Blues and Brews Festival eight years running because “they just burn it up on stage.”

Newman also plays lead guitar with The Incredible Amplifires, led by blues harmonica player Dave Robbins, and with Justin Chan and The Vices. At Fever Barn Records in Connecticut, he recorded a full-length album with Johnny Winter’s former sidemen — drummer Bobby “T” Torello and bassist Scott Spray. When the people who held the stage for Johnny Winter choose to record with you, that says something about where your playing lives.

He maintains a relentless schedule throughout Southern New England, New York, and annual gigs in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The voltage hasn’t dropped since he was eleven. If anything, it’s found more places to go.