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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE CHICAGO BLUES SCENE
None of us are free
if one of us is chained
Mavis Staples (Photo by Jennifer Noble)
BLUES UPDATES
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
10 minutes ago
Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Dylan Triplett – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, May 17, 2026
By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Gone Fishin' Tour with Samantha Fish, Kingfish & Dylan Triplett at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, IL, May 17, 2026 By Linda Cain Photos: By Jim Summaria What happens when two young contemporary blues-rock stars, from very different backgrounds, join forces for a rare concert experience? The answer: Nothing less than nonstop musical fireworks that left no one alive! From start to finish Samantha and Kingfish enthralle
May 31
Mud Morganfield – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., April 28, 2026
Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Mud Morganfield & Studebaker John Mud Morganfield w/ Rick Kreher, Studebaker John, Sumito Ariyoshi, Pookie Styx & E.G. McDaniel at Hey Nonny, April 28, 2026 Live Show Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Larry "Mud" Morganfield was born into the blues. He's the eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) the "Father of Modern Chicago Blues." Mud carries on the family tradition of playing blues in its most pure form. Like any
May 10
Omar Coleman Interview
Chicago's Omar Coleman teamed up with Brazil's Igor Prado to collaborate on their hot, new release Old New Funky and Blue. The result lives up to the album's title with songs that reflect early influences -- like Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Junior Wells, Albert King and Albert Collins -- that will help listeners get their groove on. Omar and Igor will join forces again for their album release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on May 15, 2026. Bring your dancin' shoes! Story and Ph
Apr 26
HOT SHOWS
HOT SHOW - June 20, 2026: Trombone Shorty, Blues On The Fox, Aurora
Blues on the Fox Festival 2026 w/ Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales, Tommy Castro & Ally Venable
Jun 83 min read
SUMMER 2026 CONTEST
Enter to win this fabulous prize package from Sue Foley! YOU CAN WIN: Guitar Women: Conversations & Life Lessons with Six-String Heroines Book and 2 award-winning CDs from Sue Foley: GUITAR WOMEN -- book ONE GUITAR WOMAN -- CD PINKY'S BLUES -- CD ENTER NOW SUE FOLEY Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose latest album, One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best
chicagoblueseditor
8 hours ago
CD REVIEWS
Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - June 2026
By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for June 2026 Curtis Salgado – Legacy Rewind: Live in ’25 Nola Blue Records www.curtissalgado.com Possessing one of the best set of pipes in the universe, Curtis Salgado has made plenty of magic in his 50-year career, but this stellar, hour-long pleaser is something else entirely. Captured at The Triple Door, a showroom in Seattle, Wash., it’s the first live set he’s ever reco
Jun 1
FEATURED ARTICLES
LIVE SHOW REVIEW
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
chicagoblueseditor
10 minutes ago
BLUES UPDATES
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
10 minutes ago
Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Dylan Triplett – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, May 17, 2026
By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Gone Fishin' Tour with Samantha Fish, Kingfish & Dylan Triplett at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, IL, May 17, 2026 By Linda Cain Photos: By Jim Summaria What happens when two young contemporary blues-rock stars, from very different backgrounds, join forces for a rare concert experience? The answer: Nothing less than nonstop musical fireworks that left no one alive! From start to finish Samantha and Kingfish enthralle
May 31
Mud Morganfield – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., April 28, 2026
Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Mud Morganfield & Studebaker John Mud Morganfield w/ Rick Kreher, Studebaker John, Sumito Ariyoshi, Pookie Styx & E.G. McDaniel at Hey Nonny, April 28, 2026 Live Show Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Larry "Mud" Morganfield was born into the blues. He's the eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) the "Father of Modern Chicago Blues." Mud carries on the family tradition of playing blues in its most pure form. Like any
May 10
Omar Coleman Interview
Chicago's Omar Coleman teamed up with Brazil's Igor Prado to collaborate on their hot, new release Old New Funky and Blue. The result lives up to the album's title with songs that reflect early influences -- like Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Junior Wells, Albert King and Albert Collins -- that will help listeners get their groove on. Omar and Igor will join forces again for their album release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on May 15, 2026. Bring your dancin' shoes! Story and Ph
Apr 26
HOT SHOWS
HOT SHOW - June 20, 2026: Trombone Shorty, Blues On The Fox, Aurora
Blues on the Fox Festival 2026 w/ Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales, Tommy Castro & Ally Venable
Jun 83 min read
SUMMER 2026 CONTEST
Enter to win this fabulous prize package from Sue Foley! YOU CAN WIN: Guitar Women: Conversations & Life Lessons with Six-String Heroines Book and 2 award-winning CDs from Sue Foley: GUITAR WOMEN -- book ONE GUITAR WOMAN -- CD PINKY'S BLUES -- CD ENTER NOW SUE FOLEY Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose latest album, One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best
chicagoblueseditor
8 hours ago
CD REVIEWS
Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - June 2026
By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for June 2026 Curtis Salgado – Legacy Rewind: Live in ’25 Nola Blue Records www.curtissalgado.com Possessing one of the best set of pipes in the universe, Curtis Salgado has made plenty of magic in his 50-year career, but this stellar, hour-long pleaser is something else entirely. Captured at The Triple Door, a showroom in Seattle, Wash., it’s the first live set he’s ever reco
Jun 1
FEATURED ARTICLES
LIVE SHOW REVIEW
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
chicagoblueseditor
10 minutes ago
BLUES UPDATES
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
10 minutes ago
Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Dylan Triplett – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, May 17, 2026
By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Gone Fishin' Tour with Samantha Fish, Kingfish & Dylan Triplett at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, IL, May 17, 2026 By Linda Cain Photos: By Jim Summaria What happens when two young contemporary blues-rock stars, from very different backgrounds, join forces for a rare concert experience? The answer: Nothing less than nonstop musical fireworks that left no one alive! From start to finish Samantha and Kingfish enthralle
May 31
Mud Morganfield – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., April 28, 2026
Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Mud Morganfield & Studebaker John Mud Morganfield w/ Rick Kreher, Studebaker John, Sumito Ariyoshi, Pookie Styx & E.G. McDaniel at Hey Nonny, April 28, 2026 Live Show Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Larry "Mud" Morganfield was born into the blues. He's the eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) the "Father of Modern Chicago Blues." Mud carries on the family tradition of playing blues in its most pure form. Like any
May 10
Omar Coleman Interview
Chicago's Omar Coleman teamed up with Brazil's Igor Prado to collaborate on their hot, new release Old New Funky and Blue. The result lives up to the album's title with songs that reflect early influences -- like Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Junior Wells, Albert King and Albert Collins -- that will help listeners get their groove on. Omar and Igor will join forces again for their album release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on May 15, 2026. Bring your dancin' shoes! Story and Ph
Apr 26
HOT SHOWS
HOT SHOW - June 20, 2026: Trombone Shorty, Blues On The Fox, Aurora
Blues on the Fox Festival 2026 w/ Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales, Tommy Castro & Ally Venable
Jun 83 min read
SUMMER 2026 CONTEST
Enter to win this fabulous prize package from Sue Foley! YOU CAN WIN: Guitar Women: Conversations & Life Lessons with Six-String Heroines Book and 2 award-winning CDs from Sue Foley: GUITAR WOMEN -- book ONE GUITAR WOMAN -- CD PINKY'S BLUES -- CD ENTER NOW SUE FOLEY Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose latest album, One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best
chicagoblueseditor
8 hours ago
CD REVIEWS
Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - June 2026
By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for June 2026 Curtis Salgado – Legacy Rewind: Live in ’25 Nola Blue Records www.curtissalgado.com Possessing one of the best set of pipes in the universe, Curtis Salgado has made plenty of magic in his 50-year career, but this stellar, hour-long pleaser is something else entirely. Captured at The Triple Door, a showroom in Seattle, Wash., it’s the first live set he’s ever reco
Jun 1
FEATURED ARTICLES
LIVE SHOW REVIEW
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
chicagoblueseditor
10 minutes ago
BLUES UPDATES
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
10 minutes ago
Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Dylan Triplett – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, May 17, 2026
By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Gone Fishin' Tour with Samantha Fish, Kingfish & Dylan Triplett at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, IL, May 17, 2026 By Linda Cain Photos: By Jim Summaria What happens when two young contemporary blues-rock stars, from very different backgrounds, join forces for a rare concert experience? The answer: Nothing less than nonstop musical fireworks that left no one alive! From start to finish Samantha and Kingfish enthralle
May 31
Mud Morganfield – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., April 28, 2026
Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Mud Morganfield & Studebaker John Mud Morganfield w/ Rick Kreher, Studebaker John, Sumito Ariyoshi, Pookie Styx & E.G. McDaniel at Hey Nonny, April 28, 2026 Live Show Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Larry "Mud" Morganfield was born into the blues. He's the eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) the "Father of Modern Chicago Blues." Mud carries on the family tradition of playing blues in its most pure form. Like any
May 10
Omar Coleman Interview
Chicago's Omar Coleman teamed up with Brazil's Igor Prado to collaborate on their hot, new release Old New Funky and Blue. The result lives up to the album's title with songs that reflect early influences -- like Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Junior Wells, Albert King and Albert Collins -- that will help listeners get their groove on. Omar and Igor will join forces again for their album release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on May 15, 2026. Bring your dancin' shoes! Story and Ph
Apr 26
HOT SHOWS
HOT SHOW - June 20, 2026: Trombone Shorty, Blues On The Fox, Aurora
Blues on the Fox Festival 2026 w/ Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales, Tommy Castro & Ally Venable
Jun 83 min read
SUMMER 2026 CONTEST
Enter to win this fabulous prize package from Sue Foley! YOU CAN WIN: Guitar Women: Conversations & Life Lessons with Six-String Heroines Book and 2 award-winning CDs from Sue Foley: GUITAR WOMEN -- book ONE GUITAR WOMAN -- CD PINKY'S BLUES -- CD ENTER NOW SUE FOLEY Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose latest album, One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best
chicagoblueseditor
8 hours ago
CD REVIEWS
Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - June 2026
By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for June 2026 Curtis Salgado – Legacy Rewind: Live in ’25 Nola Blue Records www.curtissalgado.com Possessing one of the best set of pipes in the universe, Curtis Salgado has made plenty of magic in his 50-year career, but this stellar, hour-long pleaser is something else entirely. Captured at The Triple Door, a showroom in Seattle, Wash., it’s the first live set he’s ever reco
Jun 1
FEATURED ARTICLES
LIVE SHOW REVIEW
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
chicagoblueseditor
10 minutes ago
BLUES UPDATES
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
10 minutes ago
Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Dylan Triplett – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, May 17, 2026
By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Gone Fishin' Tour with Samantha Fish, Kingfish & Dylan Triplett at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines, IL, May 17, 2026 By Linda Cain Photos: By Jim Summaria What happens when two young contemporary blues-rock stars, from very different backgrounds, join forces for a rare concert experience? The answer: Nothing less than nonstop musical fireworks that left no one alive! From start to finish Samantha and Kingfish enthralle
May 31
Mud Morganfield – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., April 28, 2026
Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Mud Morganfield & Studebaker John Mud Morganfield w/ Rick Kreher, Studebaker John, Sumito Ariyoshi, Pookie Styx & E.G. McDaniel at Hey Nonny, April 28, 2026 Live Show Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Larry "Mud" Morganfield was born into the blues. He's the eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) the "Father of Modern Chicago Blues." Mud carries on the family tradition of playing blues in its most pure form. Like any
May 10
Omar Coleman Interview
Chicago's Omar Coleman teamed up with Brazil's Igor Prado to collaborate on their hot, new release Old New Funky and Blue. The result lives up to the album's title with songs that reflect early influences -- like Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Junior Wells, Albert King and Albert Collins -- that will help listeners get their groove on. Omar and Igor will join forces again for their album release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on May 15, 2026. Bring your dancin' shoes! Story and Ph
Apr 26
HOT SHOWS
HOT SHOW - June 20, 2026: Trombone Shorty, Blues On The Fox, Aurora
Blues on the Fox Festival 2026 w/ Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales, Tommy Castro & Ally Venable
Jun 83 min read
SUMMER 2026 CONTEST
Enter to win this fabulous prize package from Sue Foley! YOU CAN WIN: Guitar Women: Conversations & Life Lessons with Six-String Heroines Book and 2 award-winning CDs from Sue Foley: GUITAR WOMEN -- book ONE GUITAR WOMAN -- CD PINKY'S BLUES -- CD ENTER NOW SUE FOLEY Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose latest album, One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best
chicagoblueseditor
8 hours ago
CD REVIEWS
Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - June 2026
By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for June 2026 Curtis Salgado – Legacy Rewind: Live in ’25 Nola Blue Records www.curtissalgado.com Possessing one of the best set of pipes in the universe, Curtis Salgado has made plenty of magic in his 50-year career, but this stellar, hour-long pleaser is something else entirely. Captured at The Triple Door, a showroom in Seattle, Wash., it’s the first live set he’s ever reco
Jun 1
FEATURED ARTICLES
LIVE SHOW REVIEW
Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ Matthew Skoller & Tom Holland – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, May 29, 2026
Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Tom Holland, Rome Yakilov, Matthew Skoller, Aki Kumar, Randy Bermudes Aki Kumar's Bollywood Blues w/ guests Matthew Skoller and Tom Holland Logan Center for the Arts Performance Penthouse, University of Chicago, Chicago May 29, 2026 By Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble With its “Blues@Logan” strand, the Logan Center for the Arts under the directorship of Bill Michel, continues to present exciting and distinctive even
chicagoblueseditor
10 minutes ago
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