Starting Thursday, the Windy City has once again got the blues with the 25th annual Chicago Blues Fest in Grant Park. This year Chicago has out done themselves by bringing some of the biggest artists out there today, doing what they do best – playing the blues.
Opening night on Thursday is a showcase celebrating Muddy Waters with guitar slinger Johnny Winter and harpist James Cotton. Johnny Winter first played Chicago’s Blues Fest back in their very first year in 1984.
Friday brings us the Queen of the Blues herself, Koko Taylor joined by her Blues Machine. If that isn’t enough, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater is also on the bill. To appreciate Clearwater is to see him live. Much like Buddy Guy, Clearwater is a great blues showman and a blast to watch.
Saturday, Buckwheat Zydeco headlines to bring their classic New Orleans sound to the festival main stage. There are not many people that have achieved a mainstream success with an accordion, as has Stanley Dural, Jr. In fact, when one thinks of the zydeco musical genre, who doesn’t think of this band?
Of course for my money, if you can only go to one night then it must be Sunday for the legendary B.B. King. Talk about living legends, it doesn’t get much better then the King of the Blues. I take every opportunity I get, to see B.B. and I’m never disappointed.
If you need that blues fix sooner, you can always head down to Buddy Guys on Wednesday night for the annual GRAMMY Blues Fest kickoff party, 12: A Tribute to 12-Bar Blues. It’s always a good time and this year features performances by Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Peacock, Pinetop Perkins and who knows, maybe even a surprise appearance by Buddy Guy himself.
So make a point to come out to one or all of these nights and check out these blues legends. We just lost BO Diddley this past Monday, so see them while you still can.
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
