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Download the Chicago Blues Audio Tour to your MP3 player, and program your GPS to the Blues Capital of the World. The 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival (Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 8) is the grand finale of Blues Season, a monthlong happening of blues inspired events and celebrations starting in May—and it’s an excellent jumping-off point for anyone who wants to experience the distinctive sounds of Chicago Blues.
THE 25th Annual CHICAGO Blues Festival
With 90-plus performances on 7 stages, attended by blues lovers from the world over, this 4-day festival is the mother lode of blues.
A Tribute to Muddy Waters
This year’s main event pays tribute to Chicago Blues legend
Muddy Waters, bringing to the
stage award-winning Johnny
Winter, whose versatile sound ranges
from country blues to full-blown
electric slide guitar blues-rock—as
well as harmonica player and
recording artist James Cotton.
Producer-songwriter-guitarist Duke
Robillard will perform a special set dedicated to the late influential bluesman, Louis Jordan, who was born 100 years ago. His contemporaries,
Tommy McLennan and Hammie Nixon will be honored later in the festival.
Day Two
The second night’s lineup sizzles with Chicago-based Koko Taylor, the Queen of Blues, backed up by her Blues Machine, as well as Eddy “the Chief” Clearwater. Taylor’s rough, powerful, magnetic vocals draw you in while Clearwater’s left-handed, upside-down guitar playing defies the rules of gravity.
Day three
Spice up the third day with some New Orleans flavor. Grammy Award–nominated Buckwheat Zydeco performs songs from his latest album, Jackpot! And sparks fly when locally based Lil’ Ed and the Imperials sing and entertain with toewalking and other surprises.
Closing Night Festivities
Crowning the festival on closing night, the King of the Blues, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame inductee B.B. King takes the stage. Appearing for the first time at the festival since 1988, Little Willie Littlefield, who influenced Fats Waller, pulls out the stops on keyboard. Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry sideman, Bobby Parker, brings it with blues-rock hits including “Watch Your Step,” while the gospel- and jazz-influenced vocals of Karen Carroll are backed by singerguitarist Charlie Love and special guest guitarist Lurrie Bell.
Refreshments
Throughout the festival, fortify your appetite for the blues with Chicago’s famous culinary delights. A collection of restaurants, the Blues Plate Special, serves up the essentials from pizza and cheeseburgers to gumbo and red-hot fare. All in all, the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival delivers entertainment fit for royalty, and admission is absolutely free.
Sidebar
Key to Icons
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Free |
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Kid Friendly |
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Wheelchair Accessible |
Key Information
Chicago Blues Festival
Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 8, 11 am–9:30 pm
(Thursday 8:30 pm Johnny Winter and James Cotton;
Sunday 8:15 pm B.B. King)
Grant Park
Jackson Boulevard and
Columbus Drive
312.744.3315
FREE
chicagobluesfestival.us
