Chicago Blues Festival This Weekend June 5 - 8, 2008
The free Chicago Blues Festival takes place over four days this weekend in Grant Park. Highlights include the following performers:
Thursday, June 5: 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 and 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.
Sunday, June 8: The legendary B.B. King makes 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.
Full schedule below
Also see: Chicago Blues Guide
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
