“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.” – Lao Tzu
May 11, 2022 Volume 3, Issue 10
Pete’s Pics “Blues in Action” by Peter M. Hurley
MELODY ANGEL
MELODY ANGEL will receive much deserved exposure by appearing in no less than three featured spots during this year’s Chicago Blues Festival. Check her and her blazing guitar out along with a wide range of Chicago’s best; June 9-12, 2022. To learn about the festival, click here.
Chicago’s own Ms Angel is often cited along with the stellar talents of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and our other rising star Chicagoan, Jamaiah “Blues Superman” Rogers, as the Future of the Blues.
Check out Melody’s list of accomplishments and unique musical offerings on her website: www.melodyangelmusic.com
Mr. Hurley is a contributing photographer and writer for Living Blues Magazine and the staff photographer for Chicago Blues Network. His recent book Blues Legacy: Tradition and Innovation in Chicago, in collaboration with Blues historian and author David Whiteis, showcases his work in the field. His passion for blues music began with a 6th grade dance party discovery of Bo Diddley which led to Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and so on. It continues to this day. Visit Peter’s Website here.
Blues Backgrounds A Few of the Major Blues Music Clubs of Chicago
Buddy Guy’s Legends
Chicago Blues Master Brother John Kattke hosts the Jam at Buddy Guys, today May 11th and on May 25th.MORE INFO.
Buddy Guy’s Legends has been at its current location at 700 S. Wabash, just South of the Chicago Loop, since 2010, but the club has been run by Buddy Guy since 1989. Its original location was 754 N. Wabash, just North of where it now stands.
Image source: Guitar.com Buddy Guy in 1965. Image: Val Wilmer / Redferns / Getty Images
After Muddy Waters asked him to promise to keep the Blues alive…Buddy Guy opened this club as part of that promise.
In addition to regular appearances and live performances by Buddy Guy himself, the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame induction celebration is held there annually. More info
In addition to hosting the Jam at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Brother John Kattke has appeared on Chicago Blues Network Trading 4s Concerts, often alongside Dave Specter and other Chicago Blues Masters, on guitar, keys and vocals.
Joanna Connor is often found on the bill at Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted Street, and with good reason–her contributions are a mainstay of the Chicago Blues scene. She has garnered acclaim from publications ranging from Forbes to Guitar Worldand many more.Her most recent album 4801 South Indiana Avenue, on Joe Bonamassa’ s independent blues record label Keeping The Blues Alive, nods to yet another Blues venue:
Says Joanna, “We chose the album title ‘4801 South Indiana Avenue’ because it was the actual street address of the hallowed funky blues sanctuary ‘Theresa’s Lounge.’ We want the listener to open that door, walk in, and feel to their core some of the magic that a place like that brought night after night. It was an honor to bring this to you, the listener.” – Gratefulweb.com
Kingston Mines features two stages of music, ecstatic atmosphere and you can catch Joanna Connor here alongside even more Blues Greats. Catch her here when she’s not bringing the blues to the world on tour!
Joanna Connor – “Destination” – Official Music Video
The video above was filmed at Rosa’s Lounge; read more about this venue below!
“Is everybody feeling alright?” shouts Billy Flynn from the mic, in front of a room of a few lucky listeners in the shadowy club, before launching into his set in this livestream from Rosa’s Lounge. West of the main thoroughfares of the city, at 3420 W Armitage Ave., it’s well worth the trip to walk into its doorway. The venue is full of images of Blues artists that make the music larger than life. Just wait ’til you hear the band!
With people drumming their fingers on the tables and swaying to the beat, Billy Flynn & Friends, includingBob Stroger and Johnny Iguana andKenny ” Beedy Eyes” Smith proceed to launch into over an hour of groove and style that will keep you off your seat and on your feet! Check out the show in the video below:
Chicago Blues Network Trading 4s Concerts Top Shelf Blues Online Concert Experience
When there were no venues open during most of 2020 and parts of 2021, Chicago Blues Network cooked up tasty shows and combinations of performers you won’t find anywhere else.
Chicago Blues Network Trading 4s Concerts also gave back to the community to make a social impact.
A portion of proceeds benefit The Firehouse Community Arts Center in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood, which helps interrupt the cycle of violence for youth and young adults through the power of art and faith; and Blues Foundation’s HART Fundfor direct medical support of Blues Musicians.
One of the custom combinations of performers included this special show “Slide by Slide”featuringKatherine Davis, Donna Herula, and Joanna Connor.
“Slide by Slide” featuring Joanna Connor, Katherine Davis, Donna Herula (Acoustic), Chicago Blues Network Trading 4s Concert 6/4/20
Other amazing combinations of Chicago Blues Masters at Chicago Blues Network Trading 4s Concerts include (click on each title to check out your favorites!):
No Border Blues Hosts Johnny Burgin and Stephanie Tice Interview Blues Musicians from Around the World
In This Episode: Aki Kumar’s Bollywood Blues
Sponsored by Chicago Blues Network
Listen to the interview and live performance in the video below:
No Border Blues #2, Aki Kumar’s Bollywood Blues
Aki Kumar will be featured alongside Chicago Blues Legend Tail Dragger and Chicago Blues Master Johnny Burgin THIS WEEK in a West Coast tour! Tell your friends on the West Coast!
From the archives, meet Aki Kumar… Episode Two features Sony Music recording artist Aki Kumar. Aki left his native home in Mumbai, India for San Jose CA with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically. Aki worked his way from selling merch at Mark Hummel’s Harmonica Blowouts (a successful revue that featured some of the very best blues harp players alive– James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza, Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Boy Arnold, etc) to being a featured artist on the show.
He developed a following in the Bay Area and began touring in Russia, Scandinavia, the UK and South America and was well received as a traditional Chicago/West Coast traditional blues artist. But by 2016, he started feeling a need to expand his musical vision. “Aki Goes to Bollywood” on Little Village Foundation, is the first “Bollywood Blues” recording– blending elements of Indian music into his musical and visual presentation, making for a multi-cultural mash-up that sounds like no one else, yet never loses touch with its blues foundation. Aki has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival and has been featured on PRI “The World”. – No Border Blues 2020
Take a blues journey with No Border Blues, the only blues podcast focused on international blues artists and hidden blues scenes around the world. Delmark recording artist Johnny Burgin and producer Stephanie Tice shine a spotlight on notable international blues performers, discuss the blues scenes in their home countries, and present intimate and exclusive musical performances. Sponsored by Chicago Blues Network, bringing Chicago Blues to the world.
Chicago Blues Festival…Yes! Announced for June 9-12, 2022 in Downtown Chicago
There’s many fabulous acts during the fest, but we wanted to bring your attention to this Featured event: Sunday June 12, 2022 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion 2:55-4:10pm – Women in Blues with a special tribute to Mary Lane featuring special guests, Peaches Staten, Shirley Johnson, Sheryl Youngblood, Demetria Taylor, Nora Jean Wallace, Laretha Weathersby, Sharon Lewis, Anne Harris and Donna Herula. Hosted by Lynne Jordan. See you there!
(Photo of Mary Lane by Peter M. Hurley, taken at Chicago Blues Network Trading 4s Concert)
