Los Lobos, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, and Blind Boys of Alabama are among the artists scheduled to headline this year’s Chicago Blues Festival, running June 8-11 at Millennium Park, it was announced Monday.
Also among the lineup of more than 250 artists and 45 performances across three stages of music will be Bobby Rush; Mud Morganfield (the eldest son of blues icon Muddy Waters), Chicago blues stars John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, and the Jimmy Burns Band, Sugaray Rayford and more.
A special centennial tribute to Albert King, a 70th anniversary celebration of Delmark Records, and a “Women in Blues” tribute are among the special events at the festival.
In addition, festival attractions will include Wally’s BBQ Pitt, a blues-inspired food and drink pop-op at the park complete with a picnic table dining area, and a large-scale blues photography installation, “The Rhythm Within Our Blues,” featuring life-size historical photographs of the culture of Blues music.
The complete lineup follows. More information can be found at ChicagoBluesFestival.us .
Chicago Blues Festival
June 8
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- 5:15-5:30pm - National Anthem/Commissioner’s Welcome/Tom Marker
- 5:30-6:20pm - Wayne Baker Brooks
- 6:30-7:30pm - Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush
- 7:45-9:00pm - Centennial Tribute to Albert King featuring Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Rico McFarland, Carl Weathersby and Tony Llorens
JUNE 9
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- 2:15-2:30pm - National Anthem/Commissioner’s Welcome/Tom Marker
- 2:30-3:45pm - Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration
- 4:00-5:00pm - Nora Jean Wallace
- 5:15-6:15pm - Jontavious Willis
- 6:30-7:30pm - Jimmy Burns Band
- 7:45-9:00pm - John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
- 12-1:00pm - Mzz Reese
- 1:15-2:15pm - Lightnin’ Malcolm
- 2:30-3:30pm - Eddie Cotton
- 3:45-5:00pm - Vasti Jackson
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
Emcee: Tony Mangiullo; daily showcase of Chicago Blues legends and emerging artists
- 12:30-1:20pm - Stephen Hull
- 1:35-2:25pm - Big Mike and the R&B Kings featuring Sierra Green
- 2:40-3:30pm - Melody Angel
- 3:45-4:45pm - Eddie Taylor - 100th Birthday with the Taylor Family
- 5:00-6:00pm - Rico McFarland
Film Screening: Chicago Cultural Center (Claudia Cassidy Theater)
- 1:00pm: “Born in Chicago,” co‐directed by Emmy award-winner John Anderson with Bob Sarles; followed by Q&A
JUNE 10
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- 2:15-2:30pm - National Anthem/Commissioner’s Welcome/Tom Marker
- 2:30-3:45pm – Women in Blues with Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis and Sugar Pie DeSanto
- 4:00-5:00pm - Joe Pratt & Source One Band featuring New Orleans Beau
- 5:15-6:15pm - Sugaray Rayford
- 6:30-7:30pm - Demetria Taylor with The Mike Wheeler Band
- 7:45-9:00pm - Mud Morganfield
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
- 12-1:00pm - Chris Gill & The Sole Shakers
- 1:15-2:15pm - Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band
- 2:30-3:30pm - John Primer with Steve Bell
- 3:45-5:00pm - Super Chikan
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
Emcee: Tony Mangiullo; daily showcase of Chicago Blues legends and emerging artists
- 12:30-1:20pm - Dave Herrero and Friends
- 1:35-2:25pm - Matthew Skoller and Chicago Wind featuring Precious Taylor
- 2:40-3:30pm - Milwaukee Slim with the Billy Flynn Band
- 3:45-4:45pm - Lynne Jordan and the Shivers
- 5:00-6:15pm - Rosa’s Lounge Jam Session with Mary Lane, Lil Ed, Willie Buck, and Billy Branch
JUNE 11
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- 2:15-2:30pm - National Anthem/Commissioner’s Welcome/Tom Marker
- 2:30-3:45pm - The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi
- 4:00-5:15pm - Stephen Hull
- 5:30-6:15pm - Sheryl Youngblood
- 6:30-7:30pm - Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
- 7:45-9:00pm - Los Lobos
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
- 12-1:00pm - Duwayne Burnside
- 1:15-2:15pm - Terry “Harmonica” Bean
- 2:30-3:30pm - Zac Harmon
- 3:45-4:45pm - O.B. Buchana
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12pm-6pm; Emcee: Tony Mangiullo; daily showcase of Chicago Blues legends and emerging artists
- 12:30-1:20pm - Wendy and DB with Blues Friends
- 1:35-2:25pm - The Ivy Ford Band
- 2:40-3:30pm - The Bear Williams Band
- 3:45-4:45pm - Gerald McClendon
- 5:00-6:00pm - Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band
All concerts will also be livestreamed at Youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE.