Chicago, IL – It’s almost that time again, and the Chicago Blues Festival will be upon us before we can shake a tailfeather. One of the premiere music festivals in the country, this event never disappoints and folks travel from all corners of the globe to attend, often making it a week long vacation and celebration.
Breaking with its own 34-year tradition of gathering in Grant Park, this year’s event will see fans come together in Millennium Park.
This year’s stellar lineup is guaranteed not to disappoint and features such fine performing artists as Gary Clark Jr., and Eden Brent. Of course, there are favorites including Carl Weathersby, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lurrie Bell, Demetria Taylor, Billy Flynn, and Nellie “Tiger” Travis. Younger fans will no doubt also look forward to seeing Jarekus Singleton, Nick Moss Band, The Mike Wheeler Band, Cedric Burnside Project, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and Guy King.
There will be several special events this year as well including tributes to Killer Ray Allison and Barrelhouse Chuck, both of whom left us. There will also be “Blues in the Schools” with Katherine Davis and Stone Academy, “Celebrating 40 Years: Billy Branch & The Son of Blues with special guests,” and two Panel Discussions: “Mississippi Blues Trail 10th Anniversary,” and “Tribute to Amy Van Singel.”
Here’s your 2017 Chicago Blues Festival schedule:
FRIDAY JUNE 9:
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
5–6 p.m. John Primer and The Real Deal
6:20–7:05 p.m. Rhymefest
7:20–9:30 p.m. Celebrating 40 Years: Billy Branch & The Son of Blues with special guests Lurrie Bell, Freddie Dixon, J.W.S. Williams, Carlos Johnson, Carl Weathersby, Bill McFarland and Chicago Fire Horns and Mae Koen & The Lights.
Budweiser Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Demetria Taylor
12:45–1:45 p.m. Mary Lane and the No Static Blues Band
2:15–3:15 p.m. Nick Moss Band
3:45–4:45 p.m. The Mike Wheeler Band
5:15–6:15 p.m. Guy King
Mississippi Juke Joint (North Promenade)
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Blues in the Schools with Katherine Davis and Stone Academy
1–2 p.m. Eden Brent
2:30–3:30 p.m. Cedric Burnside Project
4–5 p.m. Jarekus Singleton
5:30–7:30 p.m. Jam Session with Cedric Burnside
Front Porch Stage (Harris Theater Roof Top)
Noon–1 p.m. Rip Lee Pryor
1:20–2:20 p.m. The Jimmy Burns Band
2:45–3:45 p.m. Henry Gray & Bob Corritore
4:15–5:15 p.m. Tribute to Barrelhouse Chuck featuring Billy Flynn, Johnny Iguana Roosevelt Purifoy and Piano Willie O’Shawny
SATURDAY JUNE 10
Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Soul/R&B Night)
5–6 p.m. Nellie Tiger Travis
6:30–7:45 p.m. Theo Huff and the New Agenda Band
8:15–9:30 p.m. William Bell
Budweiser Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
11:15 a.m. –12:15 p.m. Chicago Wind with Matthew Skoller & Deitra Farr
12:45–1:45 p.m. Lynne Jordan & The Shivers
2:15–3:15 p.m. Big Bill Morganfield
3:45–4:45 p.m. Coco Montoya
5:15–6:15 p.m. Southside Tribute to Killer Ray Allison with Joe Pratt & The Source One Band and JoJo Murray
Mississippi Juke Joint (North Promenade Tent)
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Mississippi Blues Trail 10th Anniversary with Jim O’Neal, Dr. Edgar Smith, Scott Barretta and Alex Thomas
1–2 p.m. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
2:30–3:30 p.m. Bridges to the Blues by Donda’s House
4–5 p.m. Vick Allen
5:30–7:30 p.m. Jam Session with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
Front Porch (Harris Theater Roof Top)
Noon–1 p.m. Khalif Wailin’ Walter
1:20–2:20 p.m. Eddie Taylor Jr.’s Tribute to Eddie Taylor, Sr.
2:45–3:45 p.m. Jimmy Johnson Band
4:15–5:15 p.m. Harmonica Hinds Quartet
SUNDAY JUNE 11
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
5–6 p.m. Ronnie Baker Brooks
6:20–7:20 p.m. Rhiannon Giddens
7:40–9:30 p.m. Gary Clark Jr.
Budweiser Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Tail Dragger and the Allstars
12:45–1:45 p.m. The Blues Disciples with special guest Ms. Erica Johnson & Milwaukee Slim
2:15–3:15 p.m. Vance Kelly and the Backstreet Blues Band
3:45 pm–4:45 p.m. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
5:15 p.m. –6:15 p.m. Melvia “Chick” Rodgers
Front Porch Stage (Harris Theater Roof Top)
Noon–1 p.m. The Como Mamas
1:20–2:20 p.m. Mud Morganfield Band
2:45–3:45 p.m. Chi-Town Harp Showcase featuring Omar Coleman, Russ Green and Lamont Harris
4:15–5:15 p.m. Wallace Coleman
Mississippi Juke Joint (North PromenadeTent)
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Tribute to Amy Van Singel with Dick Shurman, Jim O’Neal and Rebecca Sive
1–2 p.m. JJ Thames
2:30–3:30 p.m. Zakiya Hooker
4–5 p.m. Denise LaSalle
5:30–7:30 p.m. Jam Session with Eddie Taylor Jr.
