When I first got there I was just in time to catch most of Shorty Mack and his Magnificent R&B Blues Band performing on the U.S. Cellular Front Porch stage, which is the first stage you see. The sun was out, but there were plenty of places to sit in the shade. Shorty was rocking the house and sweating his behind off, wiping his face constantly.

Right after that, it was time to wander off and spend a lot of money on a 1 liter bottle of water. For that and the food you need tickets. I nursed that bottle the rest of the day and then headed over to the Gibson Guitar Crossroads stage, facing the lake, to catch Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band.

What the hell is Zydeco? Is it really blues? There is a lot of “my woman done left me” lyrics going on but you have an accordion and metal worn on the front of some dude’s chest that he plays with…I dunno…sticks or sporks or whatever. I am not a huge fan, but I was in a good mood and the music was upbeat.

I then spent too much money getting just a few barbecued baby back ribs. I followed that up by eating the most gigantic and most-delicious piece of watermelon I have ever had. Thank you Dominicks!

It was then over to the Mississippi Juke Joint stage to catch Theodis Ealey. Theodis was also playing later at the main stage with his full band, but this performance was something to see. This was low-down dirty Mississippi Delta blues, folks. Plus, it was historic. He played with his two older brothers. Theodis is 61. His next oldest brother (his name, when pronounced by Theodis, sounded to me like YZ) is 71 and he played. Then they brought out his oldest brother, Bubba, who is 81 and he managed to bring the house down playing amazing guitar and singing blues in a quavery voice that made me think of old vinyl blues records you would find in a used record store. According to Theodis, they have not played live before.

Theodis is that kind of blues player that has a story before each song and then says, “So, I wrote a song about it? Wanna hear it?”

I then wandered a short way to the Maxwell Street Stage and caught Chicago native Steve Arvey. Steve has a voice like someone gargling with gravel and does the blues like you wouldn’t believe. I bought his damn CD and got him to autograph it right there beside the stage. Maxwell street is historic to Chicag blues and Arvey fits right in and carries on the tradition beautifully.

Then came the big show. Otis Taylor. Otis Taylor. Otis Taylor. Otis Taylor. I want you to repeat after me: OTIS TAYLOR. He spells it O-T-I-S T-A-Y-L-O-R. I wrote about him earlier this week and was anxious to see this show. Holy crap. Holy Moses. Holy Cow.

Otis’ new album is called “Reclaiming the Banjo.” YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS BAND LIVE. Beg, borrow, steal. Hitchhike, hop freight cars. Do whateve you have to do to see this band live. The Sad Salamanders are the official jazz band of the Jazz and Blue Lounge. I can only wish Otis Taylor would become the official blues band.

There’s only one problem. I think I am in love with Otis’ oldest daughter, back-up vocalist and bass player. Cassie Taylor! Oh, I love you girl. You can keep all of your supermodels and movie stars, just give me Cassie with her gorgeous curly red hair strutting and curling around that bass sexily. Lord help me! My apologies Otis…but damn!

Had there been doors around Grant Park, Otis would have blown them off. Had they put a roof over the park, he would have blown that off too. They were just, simply, and without any exaggeration AAAWWWWWEEEEESSSSSOOOOOOOMMMMMEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Then I got a text message telling me there was a tornado. The the sky got dark. Then it started raining big, giant fat drops of rain so hard it hurt. I got soaked. Otis finished his set early, then came back and played MORE to thank everyone for hanging out during the rain.

Whooo… What a day. Buckwheat Zydeco is the big headline act tonight. I alread saw one Zydeco performance for the day, plus you throw in tornados, and I am done. I had a blast, wish I could see BB King tomorrow, and will be back next year.

See you then.

Oh, and Cassie Taylor! I am but a humble blogger, and a struggling writer…

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Tonight they had a show celebrating the start of the Blues Festival and it was at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Buddy Guy was performing, but the one guy who stood out was a guy named Otis Taylor. Man, Otis plays the banjo and he rocks the joint. He played three tunes in a row, including one with Buddy and it was thumping out of my car enough to make my ears bleed.

So, here is Otis Taylor’s MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/tranceblues

Otis has a new album out called “Reclaiming the Banjo.” He said during the performance that the banjo, as an instrument, originated in Africa so, that is why he is reclaiming it. I have not done the research necessary to find out if that is true, but you can look up “banjo” on Wikipedia as well as I can.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Needless to say, I find this very disappointing. I was hoping to update the blog throughout the day and now I will just have to try and remember everything and then try to remember to tell you all about it the next day. Not quite as exciting or interesting for you and not exactly giving a huge reason to stay tuned to the blog all Saturday long like I was hoping. You already know I am going to be at the festival all day, and now with no way to update as I go along…well….you might as well wait and tune in again on Sunday.

Regardless, the festival is going on and I am still planning on being there Saturday. Here are the rest of the performances at the rest of the stages and you can find this HERE as well.

Mississippi Juke Joint

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
12:00-2:30 – A Day with Jimmy Burns featuring the Chicago Blues Round Robin
3:00-4:00 – L.C. Ulmer
4:30-5:30 – Jimmy Burns Blues Band
6:00-8:00 – Jam hosted by Jimmy Burns

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
12:00-12:30 – Rising Star Fife and Drum featuring the Thomas Family
1:00-2:30 – Afrissisppi
3:00-4:00 – Sam Lay
4:30-5:30 – L.C. Ulmer
6:00-8:00 – Jam hosted by Kenny Smith

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
12:00-12:30 – Rising Star Fife and Drum: featuring the Thomas Family
1:00-2:00 – Theodis Ealey (Brothers Reunion)
2:30-4:00 – Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm
4:30-5:30 – T-Model Ford
6:00-8:00 – Jam hosted by Rosa’s All Star Jam Band Featuring James Wheeler

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
12:30-1:00 – Rising Star Fife and Drum: featuring the Thomas Family
1:30-3:00 – Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm
3:00-4:30 – T Model Ford
5:00-7:00 – Jam hosted by Kenny Smith

Maxwell Street Corner

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
2:30-3:30 – Piano C. Red
4:00-5:00 – Diamond Jim Greene

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
2:30-3:30 – Harmonica Hinds
4:00-4:30 – Jimmy Johnson

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
2:00-3:00 – Steve Arvey
3:30-4:30 – Quintus McCormick
5:00-6:00 – Guitar Red

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
1:00-2:00 – Dancin’ Perkins
2:30-3:30 – Otis Taylor
4:00-5:00 – Filisko and Noden

Zone Perfect All-Natural Nutrition Bars Route 66 Roadhouse

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
12:30-2:00 – Storytelling and Diddley Bow Building with Charles ‘Wsir’ Johnson
2:30-3:30 – 25 Year Retrospective: A Tribute to Muddy Waters with Marva Morganfield, Bruce Iglauer, Jim O’Neal and Bill Gilmore
4:00-5:00 – Jim O’Neal introduces The Centenarians-Louis Jordan, (Bob Porter) Tommy McClennan (Honeyboy Edwards), Hammie Nixon (Larry Hoffman)

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
12:30-2:00 – Storytelling and Diddley Bow Building with Charles’Wsir’ Johnson
2:30-4:00 – Louis Jordan: Hitmaker of Blues Jazz and R&B, a discussion with Howard Mandel, Bill Milkowski, Lonnie Brooks, Bob Porter, and Ernest Dawkins
4:30-5:30 – Jim O’Neal moderate -”Sweet Home Chicago” anthem or cliché featuring Billy Branch, Bill Gilmore and Bill Dahl

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
12:00-1:30 – Story Telling and Diddley Bow Building with Charles ‘Wsir’ Johnson
2:00-3:00 – The Black Banjo Project Discussion with Otis Taylor, Don Vappie and Guy Davis moderated by Dick Weissman
3:30-5:00 – Maxwell Street Stories

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
12:00-1:30 – Story telling and Diddley Bow with Charles’Wsir’ Johnson
2:00-3:30 – The B.B. King Museum and the Mississippi Blues Trail
4:00-5:00 – The Future of the Blues: Jim O’Neal, Larry Hoffman, and Nate Lawrence

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

The whole show opens up with the great Johnny Winter. There are multiple stages as well. I didn’t want to ovewhelm you too much with all of the stages, so I picked about four of them for now. I will fill you in on the performances at the rest of the stages later this week. For more about the Festival at the official website try clicking right HERE.

Petrillo Music Shell

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
6:00-7:00 – Big Time Sarah and the BTS Express
7:10-8:20 – Duke Robillard’s Tribute to Louis Jordan featuring Plas Johnson and Red Holloway
8:30-9:30 – Johnny Winter w/James Cotton

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
6:00-7:15 – “Blasts From the Past” featuring Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake, and Sugar Pie DeSanto with Willie Henderson
7:25-8:25 – Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater’s West Side Strut with special guests Lonnie Brooks, Jimmy Johnson, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Otis Clay and Billy Branch
8:35-9:30 – Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
5:00-6:00 – Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials
6:10-7:05 – Barbara Lynn with Lil’ Buck and the Buckaroos
7:15-8:25 – Theodis Ealey
8:35-9:30 – Buckwheat Zydeco

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
5:00-6:10 – Karen Carroll w/ Charlie Love and special guest Lurrie Bell
6:30-7:25 – Magic Slim and the Teardrops
7:35-8:05 – Little Willie Littlefield
8:15-9:30 – B.B. King

US Cellular Front Porch

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
11:00-12:15 – Blues in the Schools w/ Katherine Davis, Erwin Helfer, Eric Noden and the Stone Academy Blues All Stars
12:45-2:00 – Professor Fernando Jones Columbia College Blues Ensemble
2:30-3:45 – David Honey Boy Edwards and Friends (Billy Branch, Louisiana Red, Paul Kaye, Aron Burton, and Johnny Yard Dog Jones)
4:15-5:30 – Pinetop Perkins with more friends (Willie Smith, Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Kenny Smith)
6:00-7:00 – Inetta Visor

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
11:00-12:00 – Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
12:30-1:30 – Little Willie Littlefield & The Bluescrowns
2:00-3:15 – Jo Jo Murray and Joy Hills
3:45-5:00 – Peaches and the Groove Shakers
5:30-7:00 – Tear Drop Sessions

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
11:00-12:00 – Shorty Mack and the Magnificent R&B Blues Band
12:30-1:30 – Liz Mandville and the Bluescrowns
2:00-3:00 – Charles Hayes and the Hayes Family Band
3:30-5:00 – Recapturing the Banjo Project featuring Otis Taylor, Don Vappie, and Guy Davis
5:30-6:30 – John Hammond
7:00-8:00 – Milwaukee Blues All Stars ftg Stokes and Milwaukee Slim

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
11:00-12:30 – Victory Travelers
1:00-2:00 – Marie Knight
2:30-3:30 – Tony Joe White
4:00-5:30 – Davell Crawford
6:00-7:30 – LaVelle White

Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
11:30-12:30 – Louisiana Red
1:00-2:00 – Nuwki Nu
2:30-4:00 – Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
4:30-5:30 – Little Willie Littlefield

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
11:30-12:30 – Little Arthur’s Backscratchers ftg. Reginald Cooper
1:00-2:00 – Les Getrex and Creole Cookin’
2:30-3:30 – Omar Shariff
4:00-5:30 – Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
11:30-12:30 – Little Willie Littlefield
1:00-2:00 – Guy Davis and the High Flying Rockets
2:30-3:30 – Bumble Bee Bob
4:00-5:00 – Omar Shariff

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
11:30-12:30 – Geraldine and Donald Gay
1:00-2:00 – Davell Crawford
2:30-3:30 – Paul Geremia
4:00-5:00 – John Boutte

Gibson Guitar Crossroads

Thursday, June 5, 2008
“Catfish Blues”
12:00-1:30 – Patricia Scott w/J.W. Williams
2:00-3:30 – Big Ray and Chicago’s Most Wanted
4:00-5:30 – Sharon Lewis and Texas Fire

Friday, June 6, 2008
“Sweet Home Chicago”
12:00-1:30 – West Side Tribute to Jumpin’ Willie Cobbs featuring Joe B Band
2:00-3:30 – Larry Taylor’s West Side Blues and Soul Band
4:00-5:30 – The Taylor’s Family Band

Saturday, June 7, 2008
“Let the Good Times Roll”
12:00-1:15 – Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
1:45-3:15 – Chick Rogers
3:30-5:00 – PG Man

Sunday, June 8, 2008
“Everyday I Have the Blues”
12:00-1:15 – Rodney Brown’s salute to Louis Jordan
1:30-2:45 – Big James Montgomery and the Playboys
3:15-4:30 – Charles Wilson

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

You can read about the festival by clicking HERE and reading some more.  The Chicago festival season, I feel, is well balanced.  It starts with the Blues Festival to officially kick off the season and then ends with the Jazz Festival.  The Blues Festival is the bigger of the two, but every year that Jazz Festival grows and more and more people show up.  I’d like to take credit for that.

Just so you can be reminded of the festival and you can make your travel plans appropriately, so here is some information from the website linked above:

“25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, 2008 in Grant Park

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events has completed announcing the headliners for this year’s festival:

Thursday, June 5: Guitarist and singer Johnny Winter will make his first appearance at the Chicago Blues Festival since the inaugural event in 1984.  He’ll be part of the opening night celebration of Muddy Waters on Thursday, June 5th, sharing the spotlight with “Superharp” James Cotton and others.

Friday, June 6: The Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor (joined by her Blues Machine) headlines on Friday night, along with a set by Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater. There will also be a tribute to the past with a set featuring Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake and Jackie Ross.

Saturday, June 7: Buckwheat Zydeco will headline on Saturday. The 60-year-old accordionist will bring one of the classic sounds of New Orleans to the stage. Also appearing that night will be Chicago favorite Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, the 2007 Band of the Year at the Blues Music Awards.

Sunday, June 8: Just announced to close the festival on Sunday June 8th will be the legendary B.B. King, making his first appearance at the festival in over 20 years. Other headliners on the final night include keyboardist Little Willie Littlefield, guitarist Bobby Parker and vocalist Karen Carroll, who performs with Charlie Love and Lurrie Bell.”

It’s a great time with lots of great people hanging out and watching some great music.  I hope you show up and I hope you enjoy this fair city.
 

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Chicago, I have to admit, plans out the festivals it has pretty well.  The official start of summer is the Blues Festival which usually runs in May or early June.  Somewhere in the middle is the huge Taste of Chicago which includes more and more music these days.  Then, right at the end of the summer is the Chicago Jazz Festival.  Oh yeah, and we also have Lollapalooza in the middle of summer too.

So, if you are looking for music festivals, you could do a lot worse than keeping your eyes on Chicago.  I may write the Jazz and Blues Lounge, but I love nearly every form of music, and there is a festival for every taste here.  It’s part of what makes writing about music in this town so great.

If you click on the link above you will get to a website that explains the plans for the 2008 Blues Festival.  Below is some of the text from that website that will give you some information.  Make your plans now, because it really will be here before you know it. 

“25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, 2008 in Grant Park

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events has completed announcing the headliners for this year’s festival:

Thursday, June 5: Guitarist and singer Johnny Winter will make his first appearance at the Chicago Blues Festival since the inaugural event in 1984.  He’ll be part of the opening night celebration of Muddy Waters on Thursday, June 5th, sharing the spotlight with “Superharp” James Cotton and others.

Friday, June 6: The Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor (joined by her Blues Machine) headlines on Friday night, along with a set by Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater. There will also be a tribute to the past with a set featuring Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake and Jackie Ross.

Saturday, June 7: Buckwheat Zydeco will headline on Saturday. The 60-year-old accordionist will bring one of the classic sounds of New Orleans to the stage. Also appearing that night will be Chicago favorite Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, the 2007 Band of the Year at the Blues Music Awards.

Sunday, June 8: Just announced to close the festival on Sunday June 8th will be the legendary B.B. King, making his first appearance at the festival in over 20 years. Other headliners on the final night include keyboardist Little Willie Littlefield, guitarist Bobby Parker and vocalist Karen Carroll, who performs with Charlie Love and Lurrie Bell.”

The website that is considered official and has been created and maintained by the City of Chicago can be found by clicking HERE.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge