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- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Jul 2, 2020
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From soul sweetheart to blues bombshell
Holle Thee Maxwell’s long career has taken her through several genres and across the world—but it’s never made her a star.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Mar 24, 2020
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Blues guitarist Lurrie Bell beat mental illness to build a thriving career
By the early 90s he didn’t even own a guitar anymore, but now he’s got a shelf full of Blues Music Awards.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Feb 11, 2020
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Blues guitarist Jimmy Johnson is much more than just Syl’s big brother
This 91-year-old living legend released his newest album just four months ago.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 4, 2019
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The Reader’s guide to the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival
The fest diversifies its lineup for its third year in Millennium Park, with suave and sexy R&B star Latimore, deep-soul legend Don Bryant, genre-defying singer Bettye LaVette, and many more.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 4, 2019
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Thinking outside the park (and beyond the weekend)
The Blues Festival spurs dozens of special events around town, including shows by Jamiah Rogers, Lurrie Bell, and Lynne Jordan—plus three historic photo exhibits.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 4, 2019
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O.B. Buchana sings about sin with the voice of a saint
This soul-blues superstar brings a distinctive grit to his tales of all-night escapades.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 4, 2019
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Melody Angel is the future of the blues
This Chicago musician and actress blends blues, old-school rock ’n’ roll, R&B, hip-hop, and more to create a style all her own.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 4, 2019
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Mzz Reese and her Reese’s Pieces serve up crowd-pleasing blues
Whether on well-chosen covers or her signature song “Cookies,” she prefers nuance and subtlety to pyrotechnics.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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Karen Wolfe sings tough but supple southern soul-blues
This Memphis vocalist has adopted the persona of a vintage blueswoman—feisty, independent, and ready to call out no-good men.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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Latimore proves himself a smooth soul-blues survivor
He outlasted disco decades ago, and on his most recent album he applies his inimitable voice to the Great American Songbook.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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Bettye LaVette can make any song sound like it was written for her
She debuted with a hit soul single in 1962, but she’s long since transcended genre, singing blues, country, pop, funk, rock, and more.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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Memphis veteran Don Bryant returns to soul after decades away
He narrowly missed stardom at Hi Records in the 60s, and now he’s taking another swing.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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If you see one set this Blues Festival, make it Jimmy Johnson
At 90 years old, the guitarist is a walking master class in modern blues greatness.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 3, 2019
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Billy Boy Arnold helped the blues give birth to rock ’n’ roll
He might be best known as Bo Diddley’s 1950s harmonica player, but he’s 25 years into a comeback of his own.
- Music, Music Feature May 31, 2019
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The complete schedule of the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival
Three full days of blues in Millennium Park, featuring Bobby Rush, Ruthie Foster, Dom Flemons, Bombino, Larkin Poe, and dozens more
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Oct 9, 2018
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Otis Rush and his searing guitar immortalized the west-side Chicago blues sound
Rush is hardly obscure, but the Secret History of Chicago Music couldn't let the death of such a powerful and influential artist pass in silence.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Jul 2, 2018
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Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy did much more than join the Blues Brothers
By the time Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi recruited him, Murphy had worked as a sideman for the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Memphis Slim, and James Cotton.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 5, 2018
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The Reader’s guide to the 2018 Chicago Blues Festival
The fest expands its footprint in Millennium Park with a diverse lineup that includes boogie-woogie pianist Erwin Helfer, southern soul-blues star Ms. Jody, and the Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band with Shardé Thomas.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 5, 2018
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Gene Barge blew his sax on some of the wildest R&B hits of the 60s
The Blues Festival pays tribute to the 91-year-old “Daddy G” with a set with by his longest-running band, the Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 5, 2018
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Willie Clayton still has his sterling voice as his career nears its golden anniversary
For his fourth appearance on the Blues Festival’s main stage, the southern soul king will be cooking with a full band—backup singers, horn players, and all.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 5, 2018
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Boogie-woogie torchbearer Erwin Helfer upholds the dignity, joy, and humor of an antique style
The 82-year-old pianist may be Chicago’s last living link to a tradition that arose more than a century ago.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 5, 2018
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Southern soul-blues queen Ms. Jody always respects herself in the morning
She can get pretty raunchy, but never at the expense of her self-worth or good sense.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 5, 2018
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The weekend’s best blues beyond the fest
Your options outside Millennium Park include Shemekia Copeland, John Primer, and Selwyn Birchwood.
- Music, Music Feature May 31, 2018
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The complete schedule of the 2018 Chicago Blues Festival
Every set on all five stages in Millennium Park, from Friday morning through Sunday night—including Mavis Staples, Vieux Farka Touré, Fantastic Negrito, and dozens more
- Blogs, Bleader May 31, 2018
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Former Buddy Guy’s Legends manager opens a blues bar in Little Italy
Taylor Street Tap has already hosted bluesmen such as Jimmy Johnson, Lurrie Bell, and Guy King.
