The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to announce the full lineup for the 33rd Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening June 10–12 in Grant Park. The three-day festival will open on Friday, June 10, with a celebration of the 45th anniversary of Chicago’s Alligator Records and conclude on Sunday, June 12, with a special tribute to the legendary Otis Rush featuring notable friends and other musicians he has influenced throughout his career.
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago’s Music Festivals. During three days on five stages, more than 500,000 blues fans prove that Chicago is the „Blues Capital of the World.“ Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and the late Koko Taylor.
The festival headliners throughout the weekend include: Shemekia Copeland with guest Curtis Salgado, Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperialswith guest Corky Siegel, Tommy Castro and The Painkillers with guest Toronzo Cannon, Fred Wesley and the New JB’s, Irma Thomas, Wee Willie Walker & We “R”, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater and Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters.
The Chicago Blues Festival is FREE admission and open from 11am to 9:30pm daily. Performances at the Petrillo Music Shell will feature headliners from 6pm to 9:30pm on Friday, June 10, continuing on Saturday, June 11 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm and Sunday, June 12, from5pm to 9:30pm.
Friday, June 10 – Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Celebration
The festival opens on June 10 with a salute to Chicago’s Alligator Records for 45 years of what the label describes as “genuine houserockin’ music.” Deeply rooted in the blues, several of the label’s renowned recording artists will perform at the Petrillo Music Shell to kick-off the festival.
2015 GRAMMY® nominee Shemekia Copeland will headline the tribute with a sizzling performance of her many hits since her debut in 1998. She will take the stage at 8:15pm along with guest Curtis Salgado, the award-winning blues icon and Alligator artist. The Petrillo Music Shell will open at 6pm with Tommy Castro & The Painkillers with special guest Toronzo Cannon. The group’s funk and blues sound will delight fans with their guitar licks and high-energy performance. Always a crowd favorite, at 7pm Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials will bring their rowdy blues show to the Petrillo Stage along with a special collaboration with Corky Siegel.
Saturday, June 11 – Soul/R&B Night
Headlining the evening on June 11 at 8:05pm is jazz and funk trombonist Fred Wesley & The New JB’s. Wesley is best known as the music director, arranger, trombonist and a primary composer for the legendary James Brown from 1968 to 1975. Best known as “The Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas will take the stage at 6:30pm. Thomas’ career has spanned over five decades and the GRAMMY® winner is not slowing down. Soul legend, Wee Willie Walker & We “R” will kick-off the evening at 5:30pm. Walker’s latest release, If Nothing Ever Changes has garnered him three 2016 Blues Music Award nominations; Album of the Year, Soul Blues Album and Soul Blues Male Artist.
Sunday, June 12 – Tribute to Otis Rush
Legendary blues guitarist Otis Rush arrived in Chicago from Mississippi in the 1950s after seeing Muddy Waters perform while visiting his sister. Rush worked tirelessly to establish himself as an innovative blues guitarist, bandleader, singer and songwriter by playing with the legendary bluesmen of the day. Rush set new standards and influenced countless blues and rock musicians.
The evening will begin at 5pm with Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters. As an award-winning blues guitarist, Ronnie Earl learned from Rush and considers him to be the greatest musical influence on his career and life. The tribute continues at 6:30pm with Chicago legend Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater. Known as a blues-rocking showman with his left-handed, upside-down guitar playing and his signature Indian headdress, Clearwater is among the very finest bluesmen performing today.
At 8pm, friends, artists and surprise guests will come together to celebrate Otis Rush with a special tribute featuring the confirmed artists to date: Jimmy Johnson, Abb Locke, Brian Jones, Carl Weathersby, Bob Stroger, Sumito Ariyoshi, Big Ray, Eddy Clearwater, John Kattke, Mike Welch, Rawl Hardman, Harlan Terson, Bob Levis, Billy Flynn, Mike Wheeler, Lurrie Bell, Shun Kikuta, Mike Ledbetter, Eddie Shaw, Sam Burton, Willie Henderson, Diane Blue, Ronnie Earl, Anthony Palmer, Kenny Anderson, Leon Allen, Henry Ford andWillie Woods.
