jazzandbluesnews

The weekend is here and the temperature is chilly and it’s also Halloween weekend.  Nothing better than going to see a live jazz or blues show at one of the fine establishments here in Chicago and the suburbs.  The clocks get set back this weekend too, so it will be darker sooner and you might as well be in a dark jazz or blues club, right?

Radio station WDCB provides the information below.  I have raved about them once this week already, but they are such a fine broadcasting establishment, they deserve two raves in a row.  Check out their jazz and blues calendar and listen to the broadcast over the internet.

JAZZ

Frank Russell Quartet
Friday, October 31; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Friday, October 31; 1:30 to 4 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Guitarist Darryl Boggs with ACJE
Friday, October 31; 8 p.m.
MAC - McAninch Arts Center, Glen Ellyn 

Trio Tarana
Friday, October 31; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

Richie Cole
Friday, October 31; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Von Freeman Quintet
Saturday, November 1; 8 pm
Green Mill, Chicago 

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Saturday, November 1; Midnight to 4
Green Mill, Chicago 

Richie Cole
Saturday, November 1; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Cooper Moore
Saturday, November 1; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

The Elaine Dame Duo
Saturday, November 1; 7:00-10:00 pm
Broadway Cellars, Chicago 

Ray Bailey
Sunday, November 2; 7:30 to 11:30 pm
Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago 

AACM Great Black Music Ensemble and Jazz Jam
Sunday, November 2; 6 to midnight
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Sunday, November 2; 11 pm to 2 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Jazz Jam
Sunday, November 2; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

Andy’s Jam Session
Sunday, November 2; 9 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Evolution Quartet
Sunday, November 2; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

AACM Great Black Music Ensemble
Sunday, November 2; 6 to 8 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

BLUES

November 1, 2008
Barrelhouse Chuck
Andy’s, Chicago

The city of Chicago is rather limited in the radio stations that play jazz music.   At one time, this was not the case.  During the evening and overnight hours, the NPR station WBEZ used to play classic jazz.  At some point, paying DJs and running the station was more expensive than the actual number of listeners they got during those hours and the station stopped its jazz programming.

This left a hole that is being filled by a small community radio station located way out in the western suburbs.  I could NOT do this blog without them and I rave about them at least once a week, if not more.  This is radio station WDCB from the College of DuPage.  Although it is on a college campus, the people on the air are not college students, but real professionals who know what they are talking about.   If I had one gripe about the station it would be that it isn’t 24-hours of jazz, but has hours filled with other music and community service kind of stuff.

WDCB is great, and it is listener supported.  They also broadcast online, so no matter where you are, you can tune in and see how cool they are.  Then support them.

They also sponsor a lot of great jazz and they have a program called Jazz Thursdays.  Here’s some information about that, including tonight’s concert:

WDCB Jazz Thursdays
Marcus Jefferson/Scott Lies Duo 

Check them out while they are still running the program for this year.

It is a Wednesday and I was just in a John Coltrane mood today.  Of course, that means that I had to find one of his renditions of the classic song “My Favorite Things.”  If you love classic jazz, at some point you are going to run across the name of John Coltrane.

As a fan of jazz I am more of a trumpeter fan than I am the guy who plays the saxophone.  This may just be that the first jazz I really fell in love with was Miles Davis.  My brother, on the other hand, first fell in love with Charlie Parker and he, therefore, has always had more of a soft spot for the sax.

Still, ‘Trane was a classic.  His album “Giant Steps” is one of the most key albums any true jazz fan needs to have in their collection.  He played with all of the greats including Miles and Bird.  He was known for taking standards like “My Favorite Things” and turning them into these long, beautiful jazz classics.  “Green Sleeves” was another one he did that has become classic as well.

This comes from YouTube, of course.  According to the person doing the posting, this was recorded in Baden-Baden Germany for German television.  Playing on this are:

John Coltrane - soprano sax, tenor sax
Eric Dolphy - flute, alto sax
McCoy Tyner - piano
Reggie Workman - bass
Elvin Jones - drums

It is nearly Halloween, folks.  That means it is officially the holiday season.  There may have been a time when the holiday season didn’t start until Thanksgiving, but that is not the case these days.  Now, as soon as you are done carving the pumpkins, you had better start doing the Christmas shopping.

Still, one thing you can count on to stay consistent is that Tuesday is the day for new releases and reissues.  This is true for all music, but we only worry about jazz and blues music here.  Thanks goes out to AllAboutJazz.com and the people who volunteer to write there for providing this blog with this information.

NEW RELEASES

Adrian Mears - Birdseye View (Pid )
Akiko - What’s Jazz Style (Universal Japan )
Akiko Yano - Akiko (Avex Trax Japan )
Akiyoshi-Tabackin Big Band - Kogun (BMG Japan )
Alejandro Franov - Aixa (Nature Bliss )
Andrea Marcelli - Sundance (Pid )
Anouar Brahem - Conte De L’Incroyable Amour (Ecm )
Aoki Kana - Imigrante (3D Japan )
Arista All Stars - Blue Montreux (BMG Japan )
Art Ensemble Of Chicago - Full Force (Ecm )
Art Tatum - Tatum Art (Storyville )
Arthur Blythe - Retroflection (Universal Japan )
Asami - Fantasista (Avex Trax Japan )
Astrid Seriese - Wheel Of Life (Pid )
Baijaku Nakamura - Bright Fortune (Pid )
Barbara Dennerlein - Straight Ahead (Universal Japan )
Barbara Dennerlein - Hot Stuff (Universal Japan )
Barbara Dennerlein - That’s Me (Universal Japan )
Barney Wilen - Barney (BMG Japan )
Bennie Green - Bennie Green (Pid )
Bennie Green - Back On The Scene (Pid )
Betty Carter - Let’s Fall In Love (Gambit )
Bill Carrothers - Home Row (Pirquet )
Bill Evans - You Must Believe In Spring (Wea Japan )
Bill Evans - Affinity (Wea Japan )
Bill Evans - We Will Meet Again (Wea Japan )
Bill Evans - Paris Concert Edition One (Wea Japan )
Bill Evans - Paris Concert Edition Two (Wea Japan )
Bill Evans - New Conversations (Wea Japan )
Bill Evans Orchestra - Brandeis Jazz Festival (Gambit )
Bob James - H (Koch )
Bob James - All Around The Town (Koch )
Booker Little - Booker Little (Pid )
Boz Scaggs - Speak Low (Decca U.S. )
Brecker Brothers - Heavy Metal Be - Bop (BMG Japan )
Bud Powell - Bouncing With Bud (Delmark) (Delmark )
Carol Kidd - Dreamsville (Pid ) - SACD
Chris Hirson / Seta Tunes - Trivial Things (Pid )
Christian Prommer’s Drumlesson - Drum Lesson Vol. 1 (Sonar Kollektiv )
Christy Doran - Competence Of The (Pid )
Clifford Brown - And Eric Dolphy- Together (RLR Recordings )
Clifford Brown / Max Roach - Last Concert (RLR Recordings )
Clifford Jordan - Blowing In From Chicago (EMI Japan )
Curtis Fuller - Vol 3 (EMI Japan )
David Benoit - Jazz For Peanuts (Concord )
David Huntsinger - Table For Two (Green Hill )
Dino Saluzzi - Kultrum (Ecm )
Dizzy Reece - Star Bright (EMI Japan )
Don Ellis - Jazz Club-Soaring (Pid )
Dr. Macaroni Brass Band - Al Dente (Pid )
Duke Ellington - Popular (BMG Japan )
Duke Ellington - Far East Suite (BMG Japan )
Dutch Jazz Orchestra - Plays The Music Of Rob.. (Pid )
Egberto Gismonte / Nana Vasconcelos - Duas Vozes (Ecm )
Egberto Gismonti - Duas Vozes (ECM )
Eliane Elias - Dreamer (BMG Japan )
Enoch Kent - One More Round (Borealis )
Erin Bode - Little Garden (Native Language Music )
Frank Macchia - Saxolollapalooza (Cacophony)
Fred Jackson - Hootin N Tootin (EMI Japan )
Freddie Hubbard - Hub - Tones (EMI Japan )
Gerry Eastman - Brown Skin Gal (Pacific Coast Jazz )
Gilfema - Gilfema Plus 2 (HBD Label Group )
Gordon Goodwin - Act Your Age (Immergent )
Grant Green - Am I Blue (EMI Japan )
Harvey Mason - Funk In A Mason Jar (BMG Japan )
HDV Trio - All In (Pid )
Henry Flynt - Dharma Warriors (Locust Music )
Herbie Hancock - Playlist: The Very Best Of Herbie Hancock (Legacy )
Herbie Mann - Nirvana (Wea Japan )
Horace Parlan - Movin And Groovin (EMI Japan )
Hot Club De Norvege - Django Music (Hot Club )
Howie B. - Not In The Face: Reale Dub Version (Fabric )
Ingrid Jensen - Vernal Fields (Universal Japan )
Ingrid Jensen - Here On Earth (Universal Japan )
Ingrid Jensen - Higher Ground (Universal Japan )
Jack DeJohnette / Terje Rypdal - Rypdal, Vitous, DeJohnette (Ecm )
Jackie McLean - A Fickle Sonance (EMI Japan )
Jackie Paris - Sings The Lylics Of Ira Gershwin (Pid )
Jazzanova - In Between (Pid )
Jean-Michel Pilc - Discover: Jean-Michel Pilc (Dreyfus )
Joao Gilberto - Joao (Universal Japan )
Joao Gilberto - Joao Voze Violao (Universal Japan )
Joe Henderson - In N Out (EMI Japan )
Joe Zawinul - 75th & The Zawinul Syndicate (Pid )
John Abercrombie - Animato (Ecm )
John Coltrane - Tranesition: The Complete Paul Chambers Sessions (Gambit )
John Coltrane - Birth Of A Genius (Pid )
Jon Hassell - Power Spot (Ecm )
Jon Larsen - Jimmy Carl Black Story (Zonic Entertainment )
Joo Kraus - Sueno (Pid )
Keiko Lee - Delight (Sony Japan )
Kengo Nakamura - Generations (Pid )
Kenny Dorham - Jazz Contemporary (Pid )
Kenny Dorham - Showboat (Pid )
Kenny Dorham - Whistle Stop (EMI Japan )
Kiedaisch & Stich-Mallets - Nightsongs (Pid )
Kim Waters - I Want You-Love In The Spirit Of Marvin (Shanachie )
Lee Konitz - Three Guys (Universal Japan )
Lena Horne - Sings Your Requests (Fresh Sound/Traditions Alive )
Lester Bowie - Great Pretender: Touchstones Series (Ecm )
Lester Bowie - The Great Pretender (Ecm )
Loreena McKennitt - A Midwinter Night’s Dream (Quinlan Road )
Lou Donaldson - LD+3 (EMI Japan )
Luis De La Calle - Tenor Flute (Omagatoki Japan )
Manhattan Jazz Quintet - Vsop (3D Japan )
Mariko Saito - I Wish You Love (Pid )
Mary Halvorson Trio - Dragon’s Head (Firehouse 12 Records)
Max Roach - Award-Winning Drummer (Pid )
Mike Mainieri - Love Play (BMG Japan )
Miles Davis - Live In Denhaag (Lonehill )
Nicolas Pirillo - Brunoise (Pid )
Nina Simone - And Piano (BMG Japan )
Nobuki Takamen - From Now On (Pid )
Novecento - I Successi Dei Novecento (Pid )
Ntoumos - Transition (Pid )
Oli Silk - The Limit’s The Sky (Trippin Rhythm )
Ordinary Wonder - Ordinary Wonder-Nordic Cafe (Avex Trax Japan )
Oregon - Ecotopia (Ecm )
Oscar Peterson - In Tokyo (Pid )
Oscar Peterson - Last The Trio (Columbia Japan )
Oscar Rocchi - Jazz Progression (Pid )
Paco De Lucia - Jazz Club-Flamenco (Pid )
Pat Martino - Starbright (Weasel Disc )
Pat Martino - Joyous Lake (Weasel Disc )
Pat Metheny - First Circle (Pid )
Paul Chambers - Quintet (EMI Japan )
Paul Desmond - Take Ten (BMG Japan )
Paul Desmond - Bossa Antigua (BMG Japan )
Peter’s Playstation - Off-Jazz (Pid )
Phil Woods - Images (BMG Japan )
President Shima Kosaku Compilation - President Shima Kosaku Compilation (Universal Japan )
Putumayo Presents - Women Of Jazz (Putumayo )
Putumayo Presents - Putumayo Presents Women Of Jazz (Putumayo )
Renato Motha - Rosas Para Joao (3D Japan )
Rufus Harley - Bagpipes Of The World (Transparency )
Sam Rivers - Fuchsia Swing Song (EMI Japan )
Shachou Shima Kousaku Compilation:Bm - Shachou Shima Kousaku Compilation:Bm (Pid )
Shoji Suzuki - Popular Standard De Luxe Series (Pid )
Sinne Eeg - Waiting For Dawn (Calibrated )
Sonny Clark - Sonny Clark Trio (Pid )
Sonny Clark - Trio (JVC Japan )
Sonny Rollins - Bridge (Pid )
Sonny Rollins - Road Show Vol1 (Universal Japan )
Sonny Rollins - Nows The Time (BMG Japan )
Sonny Rollins - Road Shows Vol.1 (Emarcy / Umgd )
Spyro Gyra - Morning Dance (BMG Japan )
Stan Getz - Getz (Universal Japan )
Stanley Turrentine - Man (Pid )
Stanley Turrentine - Stan The Man Turrentine (JVC Japan )
Steeplechase Jamsession - Steeplechase Jamsession (Pid )
Stomu Yamashta - Go (Pid )
Stomu Yamashta - Floating Music (Pid )
Stomu Yamashta - One By One (East Wind) (Esoteric )
Strange Attractor - Mettle (Pid )
Sweet Sounds Of Jazz - Sweet Sounds Of Jazz (Pid )
Tea Party - Live: Intimate & Interactive (Linus Ent. )
Terje Rypdal - Rypdal, Vitous, Dejohnette (ECM )
Terry Gibbs - Hootenanny My Way (Pid )
Thelonious Monk - Piano Solo (BMG Japan )
Tiger Onitsuka - A Time In New York (Columbia Japan )
Time Five - Time Five: Voices In Jazz (Columbia Japan )
Tommy - One Way To Rome (3D Japan )
Tommy Dorsey - Only The Best Of Tommy Dorsey & His O (Collectables )
Tommy Turrentine - Tommy Turrentine (Pid )
Tony Bennett - Platinum Anthology (Cleopatra )
Towers of London - Fizzy Pop (Vibrant )
Trio Of Doom - Trio Of Doom (Legacy)
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: Women Of Jazz (Putumayo )
Various Artists - Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook (Nagel Heyer )
Wayne Shorter - Adams Apple (EMI Japan )
Wes Montgomery - And Billy Taylor Trio (Lonehill Jazz Spain )
Wes Montgomery - Live In Belgium 1965 (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Zakarya - True Story Concerning Martin Behaim (Tzadik )
REISSUES

Arthur Blythe - Calling Card (Enha)
Charles Mingus - Tijuana Moods (RCA Music Group)
Dexter Gordon - Dexter Rides Again (Columbia)
Dexter Gordon - One Flight Up (Blue Note)
Django Reinhardt - Djangology (Musicarama)
Henry Flynt - C Tune (Locust)
Herbie Hancock - Inventions and Dimensions (Blue Note)
Horace Silver - Cape Verdean Blues (Blue Note)
John Patton - Along Came John (Blue Note)
Johnny Hartman - Tokyo Albums (Gambit (Spain) )
Kenny Clarke - Golden Eight (Blue Note Records)
Lee Konitz - Strings for Holiday (Enja)
Miles Davis - Manchester (Lonehill )
Paul Desmond - First Place Again (Gotham)
Tommy Flanagan - Trio (Universal)

This year the blues world lost a pioneer.  There are a lot of names that get mentioned when people talk about the blues:  Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, etc., etc.  Bo Diddley, however, was also a pioneer and his death left a major hole in the world of the blues.

Bo was a man who loved music.  I remember reading an article about him in Rolling Stone that described how his house was filled with instruments, all of which Bo could play.  That he could sit in a chair and grab a guitar and one minute play a thrashing heavy metal guitar riff that would make Eddie Van Halen jealous and then burst into his trademark Bo Diddley beat-style or a classic blues tune.

There may have been many musicians before Bo and there will likely be many after him, but few will have quite the cultural impact.  Heck, George Thorogood’s entire career was based on playing Bo Diddley tunes.  If you’ve ever heard that trademark beat that sounds so much like a freight train, you know the Bo Diddley beat and there are few rock bands around who have not done at least one song using that beat.

One of the songs that you are likely to know is “I’m a Man.”  Yeah, sure, a lot of artists have done the song and you may like some of them better, but Bo’s was a huge hit and there’s no denying it.

So, on this Monday, a day likely to leave you blue (especially if you happen to work in the financial markets), here’s a classic blues song by a classic blues legend.  Enjoy and spare a thought for the late Bo Diddley.

There is a scene in the movie “Jerry McGuire” where Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger are about to get into bed together.  You may recall this scene.  For Renee, it was a pretty sexy scene.  Just before this scene, Renee’s characters friend gives Cruise a cassette tape filled with jazz music that he is says is a sure way to get a woman in the mood.  During the actual scene, a piece of music plays in the background.  Cruise and Zellweger end up making fun of it and laughing. 

I do not share their laughter.  The tune playing is Charles Mingus’ “Haitian Fight Song.”  To be quite honest, in my opinion, it’s one of the greatest jazz tunes you are likely to find.

Mingus was an interesting guy.  He played the stand-up bass and he was the head of a number of very popular jazz bands throughout his life.  More importantly, he was a developer of new talent and had a knack for putting together groups of young jazz musicians and then shepherding them into greatness.  Even when he could barely stand, he was still a great band leader and able to find great musicians.

He was an imposing figure.  He was a massive man with a severe-looking beard.  He looks like the kind of guy you would NOT want to cross or run into when he was having a bad day.  Still, he made some great music and “Haitian Fight Song” is one of the best.

So, I was in the mood for a bit of Mingus today.  I checked out YouTube and found one person had posted the original recording, but without any visuals.  So, ignore the visuals here, and just listen to the great tune.

The weekend is here and that means it’s time to get out of the house and go see a jazz or blues show here in Chicago.  It’s raining as I write this and the rain is supposed to continue into Saturday morning.  Of course, by the time this posts, it will be Saturday morning, but you get the idea.

With all of the shows going on, which would I pick to see?  For me, it’s always going to be the jazz festival.  I love a good jazz and blues festival and even though it’s Fall, there are still jazz and blues festivals going on.  My pick, this week, is the 13th Annual Asian American Jazz Festival which is taking place at the Velvet Lounge.

From the folks at WDCB, here are the details:

Asian American Jazz Festival 

General Event Information 

Event Category:  Jazz Calendar 
Price:  Contact Venue 
* contact the Venue listed below for ticketing information 
Dates and Times:  Saturday, October 25; 9:30 pm 
Artist/Group:  Yoko Noge’s Japanesque 
Description 
The Velvet Lounge presents The Asian American Jazz Festival featuring Yoko Noge’s Japanesque. The band includes: Yoko Noge on vocals and piano, Jimmy Burns on guitar and vocals, Greg McDaniel on bass, Jimmy Ellis on alto sax, Tatsu Aoki on shamisen, Hide Yoshihashi and Amy Homma on taiko drums and Avreeayl Ra on drums. 
  
Venue Information 
Venue:  Velvet Lounge (new location) 
Address:  67 E. Cermak 
Address 2:  (between Wabash and Michigan Avenue) 
City:  Chicago 
State:  IL 
Zip Code:  60616 
elephone:  (312) 791-9050 
Email Address:  webmaster@velvetlounge.net 

So, check that out this weekend.  Check out the links above for the details.  If you do go, feel free to leave your own review right here on this blog!

Chicago is going to get a bit of a blast of winter this weekend, it seems.  Yes, during the various weather reports, the word snow has been mentioned a couple of times.  Probably not enough to bury the streets and that you’ll need to dig out, but enough to remind you that winter is coming very fast.  What could be more perfect than seeing a jazz and blues show in a cozy, warm, intimate jazz or blues club.

WDCB provides the information below.  It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest jazz radio stations around and, for Chicago fans, it’s about the only choice.  That is, if you want to stay local.  There are jazz radio stations scattered around the country and they mostly broadcast online.  There are some online-only stations out there too.

Anyway!  Enjoy!

JAZZ

Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz
35th Anniversary Festival Weekend
Friday, October 24; through Sunday, October 26
Holiday Inn - Willowbrook, Willowbrook 

Asian American Jazz Festival
Friday, October 24; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

Shawn Maxwell Quartet at Miller Bakery Cafe
Friday, October 24; 8:00pm- 11:00pm
Miller Bakery Cafe, Gary 

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Friday, October 24; 1:30 to 4 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

The Tony Smith Show
Friday, October 24; 9 pm to 1 am
Chambers, Niles 

Jeff Parker Organ Quartet
Friday, October 24; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Frank Russell Quartet
Friday, October 24; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Jeff Parker Organ Quartet
Saturday, October 25; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Ronnie Ross Show
Saturday, October 25; 9 pm to 1 am
Chambers, Niles 

Kelly Joe Phelps
Saturday, October 25; 8:00pm
SPACE, Evanston 

Asian American Jazz Festival
Saturday, October 25; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

Shawn Maxwell Quartet at Olive Black Lounge
Saturday, October 25; 7:00pm- 11:00pm
Olive Black Lounge, Richmond 

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Saturday, October 25; midnight to 5
Green Mill, Chicago 

Angel Spiccia
Saturday, October 25; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz
35th Anniversary Festival Weekend
Saturday, October 25; and Sunday, October 26
Holiday Inn - Willowbrook, Willowbrook 

Moshier-Lebrun Collective
Sunday, October 26; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz
35th Anniversary Festival Weekend
Sunday, October 26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Holiday Inn - Willowbrook, Willowbrook 

Andy’s Jam Session
Sunday, October 26; 9 pm
Andy’s, Chicago 

Johnny Gabor and Connie Marshall
Sunday, October 26; 5 to 9 pm
Chambers, Niles 

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Sunday, October 26; 11 pm to 2 am
Green Mill, Chicago 

Jazz Jam
Sunday, October 26; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago 

Scott Earl Holman
Sunday, October 26; 6:00 pm- 10:30 pm
Chicago Chop House, Chicago 

BLUES

October 25, 2008
Eddy ‘The Chief’ Clearwater
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Like someone once wrote, I just don’t get Thursdays.  I never know what to write about.  It isn’t Friday and so there aren’t any shows to talk about.  It isn’t Tuesday and there are no new releases.  I am not feeling as ambitious like I am at the beginning of the week when I write the longer stuff about various artists and such.  In short, Thursdays are days I just want to get through to get on with the weekend.  I also want to watch “The Office” on TV.

My new favorite blues artist is a guy who blew me away at the 2008 Chicago Blues Festival.  His name is Otis Taylor and his latest album is entitled “Recapturing the Banjo.”  I am also completely in love and lust with his daughter and his band’s bass player, Cassie Taylor.  So far there is no restraining order against me and she is among my MySpace friends, and I find that very cool.

The performance was one of the best I have seen live.  The crowd was packed close to the stage.  About halfway through it started to rain and then it began raining very, very hard.  Still, people stood there.  I started getting text messages that there were tornado warnings in the suburbs and the storms were headed our way, and yet we stood there and listened to Otis and his band.  He even stayed out and played a bit longer as a kind of reward for sticking around during the downpour.

So, I was in the mood for a little Otis Taylor today.  I thought I would share.  I checked out YouTube and, sure enough, there were a bunch of live performances available of Otis and his band.  Much to be delight, there was even a recording of some of his performance at the Chicago Blues Festival.  So, that is the one I have decided to post.

Cassie is the beautiful young woman playing the bass.  I think you will agree with me that she is gorgeous.  Yes, she is also a talented musician, but come on, give a guy a break.  Enjoy!  Happy Thursday!

The great thing about Chicago is just how big the entire Chicago Metropolitan Area is.  I mean, sure, the city itself is great, but there are a lot of people who live outside the city limits.  The great thing about that is that they don’t have to be denied their music either.  There are a lot of great bars and clubs even out in the ‘burbs.  If you are planning a visit to Chicago, open your mind to the idea that great jazz and blues can be found in the suburbs as well as the city.

My boss recently recommended a place to me and that is enough for me to give it my full endorsement.  It’s Bill’s Blues Bar in the northern suburb of Evanston.  Check out that link.  They put their schedule right up front, which is pretty cool.

I have it from my boss that the bar is very intimate.  She went to see Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band.  She said the band was so close, the audience was able to talk with the band and share a drink with them.  Now, you have to admit that’s pretty cool.

They have jazz there too.  If you look at that schedule you will see that every Wednesday night they have Mike Finnerty Pro Jazz Jam.  You can bet I am making plans to check that out myself.

Evanston is just north of Chicago and right up against the lake.  It is the home of Northwestern University and is almost as old as the city of Chicago itself.  It has a great downtown area with great shopping, cool restaurants and a great movie theater complex.  It also has lots of cool old houses and a great historic feel.

Bill’s Blues Bar is located at 1029 Davis Street in Evanston.  Their phone number is (847) 424-9800.  Check out their website and then plan a visit.  I know I am.