Tom Principato

Tom Principato (born 1952) is an American electric blues and blues rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter.

Principato has recorded more than twenty albums over the years. One of his most recent releases, Robert Johnson Told Me So (2013), featured keyboard work by Chuck Leavell. Pat Metheny said, "He (Principato) has an enormous talent at telling stories in his solos; he doesn't play 'standard' licks." Principato led the band Powerhouse in the late 1970s, which released Night Life to some acclaim. He joined Geoff Muldaur on tour in 1980, and recorded an album, I Ain't Drunk, as part of the ensemble known as Geoff Muldaur and His Bad Feet. The latter recording earned Principato his first Washington Area Music Awards (Wammys).

By the mid-1980s, Principato commenced his solo career, recording the live album, Blazing Telecasters, with Danny Gatton. It was eventually released in 1990 and considered for a Grammy Award nomination. In 1988, Principato appeared at the Notodden Blues Festival.

Since then Principato has recorded a string of solo albums, which have seen him accompanied by an ever changing backing ensemble. These include Smokin' (1985), I Know What You're Thinkin'... (1989), In Orbit (1991), Tip of the Iceberg (1992), In the Clouds (1995), and Really Blue (1998). In July 2011, he and his band performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

His album, Robert Johnson Told Me So, was launched at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on November 16, 2013.