Blues Fest to honor Robert Johnson, celebrate Alligator's 40th
The 28th annual Chicago Blues Fest on June 10-12 in Grant Park will feature a 100th birthday tribute to blues patriarch Robert Johnson and a 40th anniversary celebration of local institution Alligator Records.
The Johnson tribute June 10 will include performances by David “Honey Boy” Edwards, Rick Sherry, Rocky Lawrence and Hubert Sumlin, the city announced Monday. The Alligator party will cap the festival June 12 with Lonnie Brooks joined by Michael Burks, Rick Estrin, Ann Rabson and Eddy Clearwater. Brooks will be preceded on stage by singer Shemekia Copeland, who began her career on Alligator.
Here is the complete lineup for the free festival, presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events:
JUNE 10
Crossroads Stage
11 a.m.: Guy King and his Little Big Band
12:45 p.m.: Eric Guitar Davis and the Troublemakers
2:30 p.m.: Holle Thee Maxwell
4:15 p.m.: The Rockin’ Johnny Band featuring Smiley Tillman and Mary Lane
Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
11:30 a.m.: Panel Discussion of Robert Johnson with family of Robert Johnson
12:30 p.m.: Howlin’ Wolf birthday celebration panel discussion with Richard Shurman, Bettye Kelly, Barbra Marks & Hubert Sumlin
1:30 p.m.: Chris Gill & Derrick Martin
3 p.m.: Nora Jean Bruso
4:30 p.m.: James “Super Chikan” Johnson
6 p.m.: Festival Jam Session w/ Fernando Jones Band
Front Porch Stage
1 p.m.: Blues in the Schools -- Stone Academy with Eric Noden, Katherine Davis and Erwin Helfer
2:15 p.m.: Erwin Helfer Band featuring Katherine Davis
3:35 p.m.: Rocky Lawrence
4:45 p.m.: “Sanctified Grumblers”
Petrillo Music Shell:
6:15 p.m.: Eddie Cotton Jr.
8 p.m.: Tribute to Robert Johnson -- David “Honey Boy” Edwards, Rick Sherry, Rocky Lawrence, Hubert Sumlin and Duwayne Burnside Band
June 11
Crossroads Stage
11 a.m.: Ronnie Hicks & Masheen Company Band
12:45 p.m.: Dave Herrero and the Hero Brothers Band
2:30 p.m.: Duwayne Burnside Band
4:15 p.m.: George Stancell and Band w/ Willie Buck
Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
11:30 a.m.: Panel Discussion of the Mississippi Blues Trail: Jim O’Neal, Rip Daniels and Alex Thomas
1 p.m.: Jarekus Singleton
2:30 p.m.: Dexter Allen
4 p.m.: Zac Harmon
5:30 p.m.: Mississippi Jam Session featuring Dexter Allen
Front Porch Stage
1 p.m.: Fernando Jones and the Blues Kids of America & Columbia College Blues Ensemble All Stars
2:15 p.m.: Fruteland Jackson
3:30 p.m.: Sam Lay Blues Band
4:45 p.m.: Tribute to Pinetop Perkins featuring Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Friends
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m.: Dave Specter Band featuring special guest Jimmy Johnson
7:15 p.m.: Carl Weathersby’s Blues Band
8:30 p.m.: Billy Branch and The Son’s of Blues & Friends
June 12
Crossroads Stage
11 a.m.: Jarekus Singleton
12:45 p.m.: Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues
2:30 p.m.: Bobby “Slim” James Band with Lee Shot Williams, JoAnn Graham
4:15 p.m.: Theo Huff and Jeannie Holliday with Ronnie Hicks & Masheen Company Band
Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
11:30 a.m.: Panel with Bruce Iglauer and Richard Shurman celebrating 40th Anniversary of Alligator Records
12:30 p.m.: Ben Wiley Payton
2 p.m.: The Jimmy Burns Band
3:30 p.m.: Nellie “Tiger” Travis
5 p.m.: Festival Jam featuring Kenny Smith
Front Porch Stage
1 p.m.: Nick Moss & The Flip Tops
2:15 p.m.: Memphis Gold
3:30 p.m.: Mud Morganfield Band
4:45 p.m.: John Primer
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m.: Shemekia Copeland
7:30 p.m.: Lonnie Brooks with Michael Burks, Rick Estrin, Ann Rabson and Eddy Clearwater: 40th Anniversary of Alligator Records
greg@gregkot.com
It's an "OK" lineup, but it's obvious they cut the heck out of the entertainment budget.
Posted by: MF | March 28, 2011 at 12:52 PM
MF, It`s a Hge FREE Blues Event. There are plenty of very good musicians to watch and it`s FREE. How many cities would do that?
Answer....... 1 other that i know of.
Posted by: Dave | March 28, 2011 at 02:15 PM
If Blues lovers cannot wait for the Blues Festival to occur, there is a new event entitled Blue Wednesday on the westside. It is happening at Chez Roue 5200 W Chicago Ave from 6:30 pm until every Wednesday night. Tell em "Arlene" told you about it.
Posted by: Arlene Jones | March 28, 2011 at 02:23 PM
I'd make the drive to see Nick Moss and the Fliptops, that's about it. Weak lineup this year.....
Posted by: Rider | March 28, 2011 at 03:02 PM
If you want to check out a great line up go to www.bluesonthefox.com
Posted by: Blues on the Fox | March 28, 2011 at 03:27 PM
There are several solid acts, but the biggest Chicago blues star is once again not on the dance card. Buddy Guy is playing Ravinia this summer, and the contract forbids any other performances in his hometown this close to the 6/19 date. This is a travesty! Ravinia won't be any less full if Buddy plays the blues fest.
No Offense to Hubert Sumlin, Lonnie Brooks, or Fruteland Jackson. Buddy is Grammy Award blues king who represents Chicago around the world, but he can't play at his own Blues fest because of a contract.
Posted by: Ed Twohey | March 28, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Duwayne Burnside (R.L.'s son) is a great live act. If you like North Mississippi All-Stars, he's a must see.
Posted by: Howman | March 28, 2011 at 07:40 PM