Release date: June 7, 2024 Alligator Records By Mark Thompson Photo: Roman Sobus One of Chicago's finest contemporary blues artists, Toronzo Cannon is back with his third release on the venerated Alligator Records label, following two other releases on Delmark Records, another legendary label. In recent years the guitarist has retired from his job of driving a CTA bus, and did his best to survive the Covid years.    More importantly, Cannon has been dealing with the effects of his divorce, a subject he returns to throughout the 12 original songs composed for this project. His dis ..read more

Sheryl Youngblood , Melody Angel & more appear at Red Hot & Blues Women revue at the Harris Theater on June 5 BEYOND THE BLUES FEST 2024 We’ve been waiting patiently all year for the warm weather that finally has arrived and now it’s onto the biggest free blues festival in the world! The Chicago Blues Festival  takes place in Millennium Park from June 7,8,9. The opening kickoff concert with Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks on June 6 at the Ramova Theater offered free tickets online. The show is now sold out. Buddy Guy headlines the final night on his Farewell Tour ..read more

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for May   Rick Estrin & the Nightcats – The Hits Keep Coming Alligator Records www.rickestrin.com It’s always too long between Rick Estrin & the Nightcats’ albums. Give this stunner a listen and the driving rhythms, sensational guitar, harp and keyboard runs will grab you from the jump. And the lyrics, which will have you chuckling one moment, will often leave you thinking, too. Estrin is one of the most clever tunesmiths and inventive reed-benders of our generation. And his all-star bandmates – Kid Andersen, Lorenzo Farrell and Derric ..read more

City Winery (Chicago) Lynne Jordan's Tribute to Nina Simone When: Thursday, May 16 Show Time: 7:30 p.m. Doors: 5:30 p.m. Where: City Winery Address: 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL TICKETS: https://citywinery.com/chicago/events/lynne-jordan-sings-nina-simone-with-the-shivers-moc7qr ABOUT   Renowned vocalist and storyteller Lynne Jordan will take the stage of City Winery Chicago on Thursday, May 16, 2024, with a mesmerizing performance celebrating the music of the legendary Nina Simone after sold-out performances in New York, DC, and Atlanta. Backed by her sensational band ..read more

Millennium Park, Ramova Theater Shemekia Copeland/ photo: Howard Greenblatt Chicago Blues Festival 2024 Millennium Park, Ramova Theater View live streaming here: https://www.youtube.com/ChicagoDcase Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9 Millennium Park • FREE Admission Enter at Michigan Ave. & Washington St., Michigan Ave. & Madison St., Randolph St. or Monroe St. • Entrance Map     Thursday, June 6 Shemekia Copeland & Ronnie Baker Brooks Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St. Free with online RSVP available on May 1 Event entry will be first come, first served ..read more

Nick Alexander releases debut CD, Lil Hoochie, an homage to his bluesman daddy, Linsey Story and Photos: Peter M. Hurley Photo: Peter Hurley   “This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the future of the Blues,” announced Buddy Guy’s Legends emcee Darryl Johnson in his introduction of the tall, thin young man behind him. Considering the youngster’s club experience sitting in with his father Linsey from the age of 11 and substituting for him since the age of 17, Johnson most certainly hit the mark. “Give it up for Nicholas Alexander!” At just 23, Nick Alexander truly is the future of the Bl ..read more

Just released, One Guitar Woman honors eight solo acoustic female guitarists. “These trailblazing women weren’t just playing the guitar, they were living it, pouring their souls into every note. Their stories are not just about music but about overcoming barriers, setting new standards and inspiring generations of players.” By Linda Cain Photo: Mark Abernathy Sue Foley interview by Linda Cain   “I’m a force of nature/ I’m a Hurricane Girl,” declares Sue Foley on the song “Hurricane Girl” from her award-winning 2021 Pinky’s Blues album. Truer words were seldom spoken. Or sung.&n ..read more

Des Plaines Theater (Des Plaines) Robert Cray When: Saturday, April 20 Venue: Des Plaines Theater Address: 1476 Miner St. City: Des Plaines, IL Phone: 224-354-2333 TICKETS ABOUT Since 1974, The Robert Cray Band has been touring and recording their unique groove, born from a love of Soul, R&B, Gospel, Blues, and Rock n’ Roll! The five-time Grammy winner has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned the Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. Robert Cray was born on August 1, 1953, in Columbus, Georgia, while his father was stationed at Fort Bennin ..read more

Des Plaines Theater Date: Friday, April 20, 2024 Venue: Des Plaines Theater Address: 1476 Miner St. City: Des Plaines, IL Phone: 224-354-2333 TICKETS   ROBERT CRAY By the age of 20, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in concert and decided to form his own band; they began playing college towns on the West Coast. In the late 1970s he lived in Eugene, Oregon, where he formed the Robert Cray Band and collaborated with Curtis Salgado in the Cray-Hawks. In the 1978 film National Lampoon's Animal Hou ..read more

CELEBRATING ROSA'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY! ENTER NOW You can win this fabulous prize package from Rosa's that includes: Four tickets to see a show One Rosa's Lounge t-shirt One blues CD: John Primer Live at Rosa's -Teardrops for Magic Slim The story of Rosa's Lounge Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage, operates in the hallowed tradition of Chicago blues lounges, family owned and operated by an Italian immigrant Tony Mangiullo who came to Chicago in 1978 after meeting Junior Wells and Buddy Guy in Milan. Tony found the true spirit of the blues at South Side lounges like the legendary There ..read more