Welcome to Ilana’s website! 🙂

Ilana Katz Katz’s inspired creativity comes to life in many forms. Her signature Blues and appalachian fiddling and singing are mainstays on the Blues festival circuit. Her thought-provoking debut novel – “The Underground” – was optioned for a screenplay, and she has a new novel and her fifth solo album coming out in late 2025 or early 2026. In between all of that, she’s an expansive visual artist, creating many components of her performance wardrobe (uniquely painted boots, belts, decorated berets, pants and jackets). Her two dimensional art includes bright watercolor paintings and “good mojo luck charms” – which are customizable, affordable, and available for purchase.

Ilana Katz Katz’s musical versatility has her performing solo, leading bands, and lending her fiddling prowess to a who’s who of Blues musicians from the Mississippi Delta to Japan. She began as a busker in 2008, playing the crowded Boston subway platforms where she still performs when not touring. Known for her distinguished brand of Blues – including jazzy scat singing in sync with her fiddle – Ilana’s fiddling caught the ear of Ronnie Earl who volunteered to be on her debut album after she sat in with him one evening. He subsequently showcased her on a plethora of shows over the next few years, introducing her around and he included one of her songs on his next record.

Ilana’s  most recent release, In My Mind, (October8, 2021) debuted at #3 on the iTunes national Blues charts, and was a mainstay on thenational Blues/Contemporary Blues Roots Music charts. It was in top picks for the entire year 2021 by Blues Music Magazine, deejays Greg Sarni, David Zierbarth, Rick Keyes amongst others. It also enjoyed the #1 Blues spot on the Massachusetts Blues chart, alongside several singles charting nationally. Internationally, it’s been on regular radio rotation and was #73 for the entire year 2021 in Contemporary Blues Albums nationally in the Roots Music Reports. Ilana’s prior release, “Subway Stories” in 2017 (Vizztone Label Group, founded by longtime Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin) had her performing with Margolin on many occasions. She’s been a special guest with many Grammy nominated performers including James Montgomery, and John Oates – to mention a few. Besides being an in-demand performer, her guest recordings and songwriting credits on award-winning albums continue to blossom. “In My Mind” is a singer-songwriter bounty of original songs, with only one traditional cover tune. From the deep blues to the jazzy swing feel, Katz covers a lot of ground, and her lyrics match the tides of her melodies.  The music is even wrapped in Ilana’s self-portrait watercolors on front/back covers.

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• Ilana has performed in Boston’s subway more than 400 times.
• Her last record (”Subway Stories” on Vizztone Label) debuted on the Living Blues Charts, received many stellar reviews, and was #11 record for the year (2017) by the “Rock Doctor.”
• She won the Boston Blues Challenge (solo) and performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN (January, 2018).
• Ilana is an official “Fishman” artist as of December 2019, endorsing Fishman products that she proudly uses because she thinks they are the best amplifiers/pre-amps on the market today.
• Her 2016 record release “Movin’ On” (Regina Royale Records) made the top ten list for 2016 – across all genres – by Steve Morse (Boston Globe, Berklee College).
• Her original “Marlyn’s Blues” from debut “I’ve Got Something to Tell You” earned a finalist spot for “Coolest Blues Song in the World 2015” by Big City Blues Magazine.
• Her unique fresh breath of Blues fiddlin’ and singing have been played on radio stations all over the world. 
• Ilana loves to bake and often gives out homemade cookies at her shows. During the pandemic, she surprised various fans by mailing them cookies, since live shows were halted.
• Ilana is a published novelist “The Underground.” This novel was optioned for a screenplay, which is finding its way to the best people to bring this story to the screen. 
• She’s performed solo in all kinds of places. A few favorites are: the Mayor of Boston’s International Gala Ball, subway stations and streets across America, and at Juke Joint Fest in Clarksdale, MS. 
• Ilana often donates her busking tips to the Killer Blues Headstone Project, providing headstones for Blues musicians lying in unmarked graves.
• Ilana is an avid runner and has completed 3 marathons, including the Boston Marathon.
• Her full legal name really is Ilana Katz Katz. Yes, Ilana writes fiction, but the truth is stranger than fiction.
• In May 2021, Ilana received the “Fierce Warrior For Joy” award from the Jazz Blues Florida publications. THIS is the coolest award award she ever received. 🙂