jazzandbluesnews

Well, the weekend is here.  That means it’s time to go and check out a live jazz or blues show here in Chicago.  It is hot as hell here in Chicago and there is no cooler place to hang out than a dark, air conditioned jazz or blues club. 

This information is from the radio station WDCB and you should check them out and tell them how great they are too.

JAZZ

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
June 26, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
June 26, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Music by the Lake - Ramsey Lewis Trio
June 27, 2009
The Ferro Pavilion, Williams Bay
After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
June 27, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Brixie’s presents the BMR4
June 27, 2009
Brixie’s, Brookfield
Dan Effland Trio @ Braxton Seafood Grill
June 27, 2009
Braxton Seafood Grill, Oak Brook
CheckerJAZZ - Skinny Williams
June 28, 2009
Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago
Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
June 28, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

BLUES

Sonny Landreth
June 27, 2009 - June 28, 2009
Clearwater Theater, West Dundee

Here is the schedule for the last day of the Chicago Blues Festival.  Be sure to leave comments and links if you attend in the comments section.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

“Every Day and Night” 

(schedule is subject to change)

Front Porch (12:00-8:00 pm)
• 12:00-1:00 pm - Lee Boys
• 1:30-2:30 pm - Christland Singers

• 3:00-4:15 pm - Lou Pride and the Blues Disciples
• 4:45-6:00 pm - Rabbit Factory Soul Revue
• 6:30-8:00 pm - Vernon Harrington and the Atomic Blues Band

Gibson Guitar Crossroads (12:00-5:00 pm)
• 12:00-1:15 pm - Tre’ and the BlueKnights with Lady Kat
• 1:45-3:00 pm - Ernest Lane and the Kings of Rhythm
• 3:30-5:00 pm - Lee Boys
 

Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse (12:30-8:00 pm)
• 12:30-2:00 pm - Charles Wsir Johnson
• 2:30-4:00 pm - Eden and John’s East River String Band with special guests Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and Dom Flemons
• 4:30-6:00 pm - Change Blues Films to Record Collecting through the Ages

• 6:30-8:00 pm - East of the Edens Soul Express

Mississippi Juke Joint (12:30-8:00 pm)
• 12:30-1:30 pm - Ben Payton
• 2:00-3:00 pm - Big Jack Johnson
• 3:30-4:30 pm - David Honeyboy Edwards and with Devil in a Woodpile
• 5:00-6:00 pm - Grady Champion
• 6:30-8:00 pm - Blues Festival Pro Blues Jam-Gary Gand
 

Petrillo Band Shell (5:00-9:30 pm)
• 5:00-6:00 pm - Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters

• 6:10-7:10 pm - Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers
• 7:20-8:20 pm - Jeremy Spencer
• 8:30-9:30 pm - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

I know I posted the entire Blues Festival lineup the other day, but I want to keep posting what’s going on for the rest of the weekend.  It’s a great festival and you should really try to attend if you can.  There are some great musical acts despite the fact that the festival is now only three days instead of four.

Chicago does festivals right.  It opens this weekend with the Blues Festival and then there is Lollapalooza in the middle and it ends with the Jazz Festival at the end of the season. 

So, here’s the lineup, from the website linked above, for Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday, June 13 - “Sweet Black Angel”

Front Porch
• 12:00-1:30 pm - Earwig Record’s Tribute to Sunnyland featuring Aaron Moore, Allen Batts and Dennis Binder

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Holle Thee Maxwell

• 3:30-4:30 pm - Ray Allison

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials
• 6:30-8:00 pm - Nolan Struck with King Edward and special guests

Gibson Crossroads Stage

• 12:00-1:15 pm - Lurrie Bell
• 1:45-3:00 pm - Cyrus Hayes and Lady Lee

• 3:30-5:00 pm - Travis Haddix

Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
• 12:30-2:00 pm - Charles Wsir Johnson

• 2:30-4:00 pm - The Art of the Slide Workshop: Elmore James Jr., Jeremy Spencer, Lil’ Ed, and John Primer

• 4:30-5:30 pm - Samuel James

• 6:30-8:00 pm - East of the Edens Soul Express

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 pm - Terry Harmonica Bean

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Eden Brent

• 3:30-4:30 pm - Little Dave Thompson

• 5:00-6:00 pm - John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Festival Jam Session-hosted by Demetria Taylor

Petrillo Band Shell

• 5:00-6:30 pm - Walter Scott hosts Southside Angels featuring Miss Peaches, Claudette, and Miss Jessie

• 6:40-8:10 pm - Trudy Lynn with the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings featuring “Daddy G”

• 8:20-9:30 pm - Bettye LaVette

Sunday, June 14 - “Every Day and Night”

Front Porch Stage
• 12:00-1:00 pm - Lee Boys

• 1:30-2:30 pm - Christland Singers

• 3:00-4:15 pm - Lou Pride and the Blues Disciples

• 4:45-6:00 pm - Rabbit Factory Soul Revue

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Vernon Harrington and the Atomic Blues Band

Gibson Crossroads Stage
• 12:00-1:15 pm - Tre’ and the BlueKnights with Lady Kat

• 1:45-3:00 pm - Ernest Lane and the Kings of Rhythm

• 3:30-5:00 pm - Lee Boys

Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
• 12:30-2:00 pm - Charles Wsir Johnson

• 2:30-4:00 pm - Eden and John’s East River Band with special guests Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and Dom Flemons

• 4:30-6:00 pm - Change Blues Films to Record Collecting through the Ages

• 6:30-8:00 pm - East of the Edens Soul Express

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 pm - Ben Payton

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Big Jack Johnson

• 3:30-4:30 pm - David Honeyboy Edwards with Devil in a Woodpile

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Grady Champion

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Blues Festival Pro Blues Jam-Gary Gand

Petrillo Band Shell

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters

• 6:10-7:10 pm - Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers  

• 7:20-8:20 pm - Jeremy Spencer

• 8:30-9:30 pm - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

I bet you thought I forgot that the Chicago Blues Festival was this weekend.  Well, considering it’s my birthday on Monday and I have been busy writing a new book you’d be right about that.  This year the festival is only three days, but it still looks packed with acts.  This list is from the website linked above which is called “Chicagofestivals.net.”

So, if you don’t mind bringing an umbrella (we are apparently in monsoon season here) and can stand mud and wet grass, then you should enjoy the festival.  If anyone goes and would like to talk about it here, let me know.

Friday, June 12 - “Prowling Nighthawk”

Front Porch

*12:00-1:00 pm - Blues in the Schools

• 1:30-2:30 pm - Gloria Thompson Rogers

• 3:00-4:30 pm - Big Bill and Mud Morganfield with special guests Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Andrew Jr. Boy Jones
• 6:30-8:00 pm - Charlie Musselwhite Band

Gibson Crossroads Stage

• 1:00-2:00 pm - Chicago Blues Experience featuring Vince Agwada and Russ Green

• 2:30-3:30 pm - Mary Lane’s Blues All Stars

• 4:00-5:30 pm - Sherman Moody Thomas and the Lee’s Unleaded Revue

• 6:00-7:00 pm - Grana’ Louise

Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse

• 12:30-2:00 pm - Charles Wsir Johnson

• 2:30-3:30 pm - Donna Herula

• 4:00-5:00 pm - Remembering Nighthawk

• 5:30-6:30 pm - Beginning Blue Progression Workshop

• 7:00-8:00 pm - East of the Edens Soul Express

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 pm - Eddie Taylor Jr. with Harmonica Hinds

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Maxwell Street Revisited: featuring Dancin’ Perkins, Iceman Robinson, Smilin’ Bobby, Bobby Too Tough and Frank “Lil Sonny” Scott Jr.

• 3:30-4:30 pm - Sam Lay

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Fernando Jones and the Columbia College Blues Ensemble

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Festival Jam Session

Petrillo Band Shell

• 7:00-8:10 pm - Shirley Johnson

• 8:20-9:30 pm - Eddie C. Campbell-70th Birthday Celebration

Saturday, June 13 - “Sweet Black Angel”

Front Porch
• 12:00-1:30 pm - Earwig Record’s Tribute to Sunnyland featuring Aaron Moore, Allen Batts and Dennis Binder

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Holle Thee Maxwell

• 3:30-4:30 pm - Ray Allison

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials
• 6:30-8:00 pm - Nolan Struck with King Edward and special guests

Gibson Crossroads Stage

• 12:00-1:15 pm - Lurrie Bell
• 1:45-3:00 pm - Cyrus Hayes and Lady Lee

• 3:30-5:00 pm - Travis Haddix

Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
• 12:30-2:00 pm - Charles Wsir Johnson

• 2:30-4:00 pm - The Art of the Slide Workshop: Elmore James Jr., Jeremy Spencer, Lil’ Ed, and John Primer

• 4:30-5:30 pm - Samuel James

• 6:30-8:00 pm - East of the Edens Soul Express

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 pm - Terry Harmonica Bean

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Eden Brent

• 3:30-4:30 pm - Little Dave Thompson

• 5:00-6:00 pm - John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Festival Jam Session-hosted by Demetria Taylor

Petrillo Band Shell

• 5:00-6:30 pm - Walter Scott hosts Southside Angels featuring Miss Peaches, Claudette, and Miss Jessie

• 6:40-8:10 pm - Trudy Lynn with the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings featuring “Daddy G”

• 8:20-9:30 pm - Bettye LaVette

Sunday, June 14 - “Every Day and Night”

Front Porch Stage
• 12:00-1:00 pm - Lee Boys

• 1:30-2:30 pm - Christland Singers

• 3:00-4:15 pm - Lou Pride and the Blues Disciples

• 4:45-6:00 pm - Rabbit Factory Soul Revue

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Vernon Harrington and the Atomic Blues Band

Gibson Crossroads Stage
• 12:00-1:15 pm - Tre’ and the BlueKnights with Lady Kat

• 1:45-3:00 pm - Ernest Lane and the Kings of Rhythm

• 3:30-5:00 pm - Lee Boys

Zone Perfect Route 66 Roadhouse
• 12:30-2:00 pm - Charles Wsir Johnson

• 2:30-4:00 pm - Eden and John’s East River Band with special guests Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and Dom Flemons

• 4:30-6:00 pm - Change Blues Films to Record Collecting through the Ages

• 6:30-8:00 pm - East of the Edens Soul Express

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 pm - Ben Payton

• 2:00-3:00 pm - Big Jack Johnson

• 3:30-4:30 pm - David Honeyboy Edwards with Devil in a Woodpile

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Grady Champion

• 6:30-8:00 pm - Blues Festival Pro Blues Jam-Gary Gand

Petrillo Band Shell

• 5:00-6:00 pm - Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters

• 6:10-7:10 pm - Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers  

• 7:20-8:20 pm - Jeremy Spencer

• 8:30-9:30 pm - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

As I write this it is a Tuesday and it’s raining.  I have also been thinking about the death of Queen of the Blues KoKo Taylor last week.  It reminded me that our other living blues legend, Buddy Guy, is no spring chicken these days.  I am a huge fan of Buddy Guy.  He plays like he’s a teenager, but he is a man getting up there in years.  I think he is in fine health, but you just never know.

Not to bring everyone down, of course.  Sorry about that, but it just got me thinking.  How many musical legends do you have living in your town?  If you have any, you may want to appreciate them a bit while you still can is all.

So, I found this clip on YouTube.  I think I may have posted this one before, but it’s a great clip.  One of Buddy’s most famous and popular tunes “It Looks Like Rain.”  Considering when I look out the window to my left, it does indeed look like rain to me, and it is raining, it just seemed like the perfect song. 

Here is Buddy playing with John Mayer.  I actually like John even though I resent the fact he gets hot actresses like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jennifer Aniston.  Still, you kind of have to admire that at the same time, you know?

Chicago and the blues world is still reeling from the death of the “Queen of the Blues” Koko Taylor this past week.  She was such an energetic ambassador for the blues.  She seemed tireless and despite some health setbacks over the past few years, she seemed indestructible. 

Sadly, our jazz and blues legends seem to be passing away all too quickly.  I wanted to present some more of Koko’s music and turned to YouTube for some great clips for you.

Baby Please Don’t Dog Me

Koko and Willie Dixon - Insane Asylum

Voodoo Woman

Koko and Buddy Guy - Born Under a Bad Sign

OK, so I am a little late in getting this up.  At least you can see what you missed last night.  Cut me some slack!  Koko Taylor died!  That’s kind of a big deal for blues fans and, in particular, blues fans here in Chicago.

So, from the radio station WDCB here are the jazz and blues shows for this first weekend in June.  I hope you manage to get out there and enjoy them and feel free to tell them you heard about them right here.

JAZZ

Jennifer Connelly & The John Paluch Trio
June 5, 2009
Marie’s Restaurant, Chicago

Christine Whitney at Sonoma Coffee Cafe’
June 5, 2009
Sonoma Coffee Cafe’, Evergreen Park

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
June 5, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

Carl Sonny Leyland Meets Joel Paterson & The Modern Sounds
June 5, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
June 5, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

The Jim Guter Trio at the Grotto
June 6, 2009
Grotto Restaurant, Oak Brook

 Carl Sonny Leyland Meets Joel Paterson & The Modern Sounds
June 6, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

 After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
June 6, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

 Frank D’Rone
June 6, 2009
Chambers, Niles

Jazz on 59th - Richie Cole
June 7, 2009
International House, University of Chicago, Chicago

 Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
June 7, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

 Jazz Vespers: Tony Thomas Group
June 7, 2009
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Niles

BLUES

40 Miles to Chicago
June 6, 2009
JTodd’s, Plainfiled

It is a sad thing to have to report the death of a legend.  Chicago is the home of some great legends and has been for some time, particularly in the realm of jazz and blues.  Koko Taylor was, without a doubt, one of those legends.  She had been a vital and visible part of the Chicago blues scene for as long as I can remember.  She died this week of complications due to surgery she had last week for intestinal bleeding.  She was 80.

Koko was a dynamo.  She had her biggest hit in 1965 with the tune “Wang Dang Doodle.”  However, she was releasing albums, performing and having concerts right up until she was ill.  In fact, just a couple of years ago she released one of her most acclaimed albums in years.  The album was called “Old School.”

She was known as “Queen of the Blues” and she as a delight in all of her interviews.  She put on spectacular shows and was a vital part of the music scene here in Chicago.  She will be sorely missed.

I just wanted to pay this small tribute to her.  Here is a YouTube video of her performing her hit “Wang Dang Doodle” from 1967:

The last weekend in May is here.  What a perfect time to head out and check out some live music.  The weather is rather cool, the hockey season is over and the baseball teams around here are dreadful beyond comprehension.  I say it’s time to start enjoying the local jazz and blues scene.

Below, the information comes from radio station WDCB and their Events Calendar section.  Check them out and give them a listen.

JAZZ

The Flat Cats
Date: March 27 - May 29 on
Friday 8:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.
Venue: Onesti Dinner Club, St. Charles

Sounds of Summer - Jazz Vocalist Frankie Wesson
Date: Friday, May 29; 7:30pm-10:30pm
Venue: Stonefire Restaurant, Yorkville

Ernest Dawkins New Horizon Ensemble
Date: Friday, May 29; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Bob Perna & Persistance
Date: Friday, May 29; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

The Elaine Dame Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Venue: Philander’s, Oak Park

David Drazin piano concert
Date: Friday, May 29; 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Venue: Joplin’s Java and Ragtime Cafe, Waukegan

Tony Smith Show
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm
Venue: Chambers, Niles

Kimberly Gordon with Tom Hope
Date: Friday, May 29; 6:30 pm
Venue: Katerina’s, Chicago

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Date: Friday, May 29; 1:30 to 4 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
Date: Friday, May 29; 5 to 8 pm
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Harry Brown opens for Gomez-Farr singing his original songs
Date: Friday, May 29; 5:30 pm
Venue: Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Bruce Williams Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston

Tony Monaco Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Ed Daugherty
Date: Friday, May 29; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars
Date: Friday, May 29; 8 to 12:30
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

The Flat Cats
Date: March 28 - May 30; 8:30 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
Venue: Drake Hotel - Palm Court, Chicago

The Rodney Brown Duo
Date: May 2 - 30 on
Saturday 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Venue: Blues Bar, Mt Prospect

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Date: Saturday, May 30; Midnight to 4
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Bruce Williams Trio
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars
Date: Saturday, May 30; 8 to 12:30
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

The West Side Winders
Date: Saturday, May 30; 6 to 10 pm
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

Ernest Dawkins New Horizon Ensemble
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Bob Perna & Persistance
Date: Saturday, May 30; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Petra Van Nuis with Andy Brown
Date: Saturday, May 30; 6:30 pm
Venue: Katerina’s, Chicago

Tatsu Aoki’s Miyumi Project
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

The Jim Guter Quartet
Date: Saturday, May 30; 7 P.M. - 11 P.M.
Venue: Francesca’s Passaggio Ristorante, Naperville

Tony Monaco Trio
Date: Saturday, May 30; 8 to midnight
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

The Paul Abella Trio
Date: April 5 - May 31 on
Sunday 7:30 pm to 11:30pm
Venue: MECCA Supper Club,

Chicago Andy’s Jam Session
Date: Sunday, May 31; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Dean Allrick
Date: Sunday, May 31; 5 pm
Venue: Chambers, Niles

Velvet Lounge Jazz Jam
Date: Sunday, May 31; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Date: Sunday, May 31; 11 pm to 2 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Chicago Jazz Composers Collective
Date: Sunday, May 31; 2 to 4 pm
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

CheckerJAZZ - Dee Alexander
CD Release Party
Date: Sunday, May 31; 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Venue: Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago

Jordan Baskin Trio
Date: Sunday, May 31; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

BLUES

Eddy ’The Chief’ Clearwater Blues Band
May 30, 2009
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston
Watseka Theatre’s 2nd Annual Blues & BBQ Fest
May 30, 2009
Watseka Theatre, Watseka
 

One of the cooler places to check out some great blues is a place called Bill’s Blues Bar in north suburban Evanston, Illinois.  Evanston is the home of Northwestern University and the home of the Wildcats.  It is separate from Chicago, and is an entirely different city just moments from the bigger city.  It’s full of old homes and those run right up against the shiny new high-rise buildings and condos that make up downtown Evanston.

The place is a great one to see some blues live and in person.  They have shows nearly every night there.  They also have pretty decent food, which is always a plus.  Anyway, they have another “Blues Jam” coming up and I thought I would give you the details.

The following is from radio station WDCB’s events page:

Bill’s Blues Jam