June 2025 has turned out to be a banner month in the long storied career of drummer Bobby T Torello. He’s the featured cover artist in ‘Blues Blast Magazine’, and has a brand new CD release with friend and collaborator guitarist extraordinaire, Jay Willie.

The title of Jay Willie’s CD, “Still Raisin’ Cane” is Jay’s tribute to the legendary Johnny Winter. This is the seventh album Bobby T and Jay have recorded together as the ‘Jay Willie Blues Band.’ Bobby said – “We did songs that Jay and I felt that Johnny would have done if he had recorded another album”.

Jay Willie states in his liner notes that “This album is a labor of love, a tribute to musical influences, and a celebration of the enduring power of rhythm and blues.” The album is a cross section of the influences that have directed Jay and his music.’ Bobby T played on Johnny’s 1980 Blue Sky release, Raisin’ Cane’ and 1978’s ‘White, Hot and Blue’.

The ‘Blues Blast’ article covers much of Bobby T’s career from his early years on the Connecticut music scene up to the present where Bobby is an ambassador, artist endorser, and clinician for Bill Ludwig’s WFL III Drum Company. Bobby has an upcoming clinic at the ‘Music City Drum Show’ in Nashville, Tennessee on July 20, 2025. In 2017, Bobby was inducted into the Classic Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame, and the New England Music Hall of Fame in 2020.

"Bobby Torello was my first choice "go to" touring drummer.
He could easily steal the show with a two - minute solo.
Bobby is a beloved musician who has played with an
amazing array of internationally known artists...
He rocks hard and steady. Bobby T is no less than awesome." - Michael Bolton

“Jay Willie, started playing guitar at age 12. His uncle gave him some blues records to listen to. That introduction to the blues included albums from Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, Ry Cooder, B.B. King and particularly Johnny Winter. Jay became particularly enamored with Johnny’s style but also for his commitment and understanding of the blues.” - John Sacksteder

“Besides Jay Willie being a great guitarist. He is absolutely one of the best people I ever met. His heart is bigger than his ranch home. Honesty, integrity, and brotherhood, he's got it all. Jay is a pleasure to be with, and work with. I can go on forever… He is one of a kind.”

- Bobby T Torello

‘Still Raisin’ Cane’ is our 7th rhythm and blues recording, a project born from deep admiration and musical kinship. It’s a heartfelt tribute to my musical hero, Johnny Winter. I’ve always admired Johnny's ability to take classic Texas and New Orleans R&B from the pre-rock and roll era and make it his own. We hope that you all enjoy ‘Still Raisin' Cane’ as much as we enjoyed creating it.

- Jay Willie