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- 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, Music Feature Aug 27, 2019
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The Fat Babies wring the kitsch out of trad jazz
The vitality and commitment of these hardworking Chicago preservationists make antique songs feel brand-new.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Apr 9, 2019
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Louis Myers cofounded one of the great backing bands in the blues
The guitar and harmonica master from the Aces played with Junior Wells, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, and many 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 Jan 2, 2018
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Underappreciated guitarist Johnny B. Moore links Delta blues with the electric postwar Chicago sound
Johnny B. Moore launched his career as a full-time bluesman in 1975 with the great Koko Taylor, and he's still kicking today.
- Music, Music Feature Sep 27, 2017
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Chicago bass clarinetist Jason Stein isn’t kidding around
Not even arena gigs with his famous sister, comedian Amy Schumer, can tempt him from his drive to make better jazz.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 7, 2017
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At age 88, late-blooming guitarist Jimmy Johnson enters his fifth decade in the blues
Syl’s older brother started out playing soul, but he came into his own as a bluesman in the late 1970s.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Apr 20, 2016
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Rowdy bluesman Detroit Junior used to crawl under his piano while he played
Detroit Junior worked with Little Mack Simmons and Howlin' Wolf, but it was his deep catalog of original songs that made him beloved in the blues world.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Feb 2, 2016
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Luther Allison was the Jimi Hendrix of blues guitar
Guitarist Luther Allison learned his craft in Chicago, but he spent much of his career in Europe when American interest in the blues waned.
- Music, Music Feature Jul 23, 2014
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Will Chicago's most daring and virtuosic jazz singer finally get the recognition she deserves?
Dee Alexander has earned international acclaim, but fame has eluded her. Her great new album, Songs My Mother Loves, might change that.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Mar 7, 2013
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Eddie C. Campbell
This flamboyant, innovative blues guitarist needs help getting home after a heart attack and stroke on the road in Germany.
- Music, The Secret History of Chicago Music Feb 21, 2013
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The Secret History of Chicago Music: Tail Dragger
This west-side Howlin' Wolf imitator did time for shooting a fellow bluesman dead, but he's back out there putting on great shows.
- Blogs, Bleader Oct 30, 2006
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Junior Wells -- those were the days
A newly issued live recording made by Junior Wells in 1975 at Theresa's delivers what's missing from the blues today.
