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- 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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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, Concert Preview May 11, 2018
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Eddy Clearwater remains one of Chicago’s most energetic and celebratory bluesmen
- Music, Concert Preview Mar 29, 2018
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Nellie “Tiger” Travis and Pokey Bear head to Chi-Town Blues Festival
- Music, Concert Preview Aug 17, 2017
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At 77 years old, soul-blues veteran Latimore is still his sultry self
- Music, Music Feature Jun 7, 2017
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Harmonica master Billy Branch celebrates 40 years leading the Sons of Blues
So many current stars have cut their teeth in Branch’s band that they could fill their own blues festival.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 7, 2017
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Guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks balances his legacy with his drive to innovate
His father, the late Lonnie Brooks, appears on the new Times Have Changed—alongside Memphis rapper Al Kapone.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 7, 2017
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Folk polymath Rhiannon Giddens honors the musical cultures of the oppressed
The cofounder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops sings fables of struggle from a diversity of peoples and eras.
- Music, Concert Preview Jun 5, 2017
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The best of the weekend’s blues outside Millennium Park
Your extracurricular options include Eddie Shaw, Peaches Staten, L’Roy, and Eddy “the Chief” Clearwater.
- Music, Concert Preview Feb 23, 2017
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Both revered and condemned for his brazen humor, Bishop Bullwinkle is a meme-ready bluesman
- Music, Music Feature Jun 8, 2016
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The Reader’s guide to the 2016 Chicago Blues Festival
The world’s largest free blues fest bustles with a diversity of traditions and talents—including Irma Thomas, Lazy Lester, Wee Willie Walker, John Primer, and tributes to Otis Rush and Otis Clay.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 8, 2016
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The blues don’t quit when Grant Park goes dark
Chicago’s blues clubs are in high gear all weekend—and some neighborhood spots are getting in on the action.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 8, 2016
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Lazy Lester helped invent the swamp-blues sound half a century ago
The Louisiana native’s Blues Festival appearance is a historic occasion.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 8, 2016
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Otis Clay recorded some of the world’s most enduring deep soul and gospel
This tribute set, anchored by his final working band, features Cicero Blake, Theo Huff, Willie Rogers of the Soul Stirrers, and more.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 8, 2016
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Otis Rush recorded the harrowing blues that established his legacy 50 years ago in Chicago
He’s been sidelined by a stroke, but more than 25 musicians will pay tribute to him at this year’s festival.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 8, 2016
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John Primer sustains the living heritage of the blues
The Chicago guitarist honors his mentors—including Muddy Waters and Magic Slim—by serving as a role model for young musicians.
- Music, Music Feature Sep 16, 2015
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Jazz grows under Ernest Dawkins's feet
By staying put in his hometown, this Chicago saxophonist has nurtured generations of musicians—and a south-side festival that's now in its 16th year.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 10, 2015
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When the Blues Festival calls it a night, the music's just getting started
A roundup of afterfest blues shows for folks who can't get enough in Grant Park this weekend
- Music, Music Feature Feb 2, 2015
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In Billy Branch's blues, the legendary Palm Tavern still stands
Gerri Oliver's bar, once a crown jewel of Bronzeville, was shut down by the city in 2001. But blues harpist Billy Branch remains dedicated to preserving the history and culture it embodied.
- 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.
- Best of Chicago, Music & Nightlife Jun 25, 2014
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Best Southern-Soul Singer Based in the North
Nellie "Tiger" Travis
- Music, Music Feature Jun 9, 2014
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The Reader's guide to the 31st annual Chicago Blues Festival
Bettye LaVette, Dr. John, and Billy Boy Arnold headline a diverse lineup that includes several underappreciated treasures on the fest's smallest stages.
- Music, Record Roundup May 19, 2014
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Lily Allen's almost annoyingly catchy Sheezus and 15 more record reviews
Nine Reader writers sift through a musical farrago that includes Ben Frost's defibrillating body music, Dawn Golden's alchemical electro-pop, and Sleaford Mods' grimly minimalist postpunk.