This year’s Chicago Blues Festival is going to be a doozy. It’s the 32nd year for the free fest, but it’s got a lineup that reaches back a century and a solid base of Chicago blues.
The festival opens on Friday, June 12 with Zora Young, Clarence Carter, and Syl Johnson. On Saturday the Taj Mahal Trio and Toronzo Cannon will heat things up before Chicago’s own Buddy Guy lights the stage on fire with his signature style. Then Sunday the fest reaches back to the birth of the blues with a Centennial Tribute to Muddy Waters and Willy Dixon. Billy Branch, a Dixon protege, and the Sons of Blues will be joined by special guest Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater. They’ll be followed by the tributes to the blues legends.
In addition to the festival there will be events leading up to the event, including documentaries about Willy Dixon and Muddy Waters. You can see the full lineup below, and get the complete blues fest event schedule at chicagobluesfest.us.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
PETRILLO MUSIC SHELL
- 6 p.m. Zora Young
- 7:05 p.m. Clarence Carter
- 8:25 p.m. Syl Johnson
BUD LIGHT CROSSROADS STAGE
- 11:15 a.m. Quintus McCormick
- 12:45 p.m. Mary Lane
- 2:30 p.m. Charlie Love
- 4:15 p.m. Nellie Tiger Travis
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM & BLUES STAGE
- 11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion with Richard Shurman – “100 Years of Blues Greatness: Honoring Distinguished Centennials”
- 1:00 p.m. Scott Albert Johnson
- 2:30 p.m. Jj Thames
- 4 p.m. John Primer
- 5:30 p.m. Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith Jam Session
PEPSI FRONT PORCH STAGE
- Noon Blues In The Schools with Stone Academy, Eric Noden, Katherine Davis
- 1:30 p.m. Studebaker John and the Maxwell Street Kings
- 3 p.m. Andy T. and Nick Nixon Band
- 4:30 p.m. Eddie Shaw & The Wolfgang
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
PETRILLO MUSIC SHELL
- 5:30 p.m. Toronzo Cannon
- 6:30 p.m. Taj Mahal Trio
- 8:05 p.m. Buddy Guy
BUD LIGHT CROSSROADS STAGE
“The Next Generation”
- 11:15 a.m. Jamiah On Fire and the Red Machine
- 12:45 p.m. Marquise Knox
- 2:30 p.m. Jarekus Singleton
- 4:15 p.m. Shawn Holt & The Tear Drops
JACKSON MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM AND BLUES STAGE
- 11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion – “Essence of Soul Blues: with Alex Thomas and Johnny Rawls
- 1 p.m. The House Rockers
- 2:30 p.m. Vickie Baker
- 4 p.m. Johnny Rawls
- 5:30 p.m. Jam Session
PEPSI FRONT PORCH STAGE
- Noon Austin Walk’n Cane
- 1:30 p.m. Lurrie Bell
- 3 p.m. Paul Oscher Trio
- 4:30 p.m. Cash Box Kings
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
PETRILLO MUSIC SHELL
- 5 p.m. Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues with special guest Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater
- 6:20 p.m. Willie Dixon Centennial Tribute featuring Billy Branch, Keshia Dixon, Tomiko Dixon, Bobby Dixon, Freddie Dixon, Alex Dixon, Cash McCall, Sugar Blue, John Watkins and Andrew Blaze Thomas
- 8:05 p.m. Muddy Water’s Centennial Tribute featuring Bob Margolin,,Mud Morganfield, Big Bill Morganfield, John Primer, Rick Kreher, Bob Stroger, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, E.G. McDaniel, Barrelhouse Chuck, Jerry Portnoy and Paul Oscher
BUD LIGHT CROSSROADS STAGE
- 11:15 a.m. Chick Rodgers
- 12:45 p.m. Holle Thee Maxwell
- 2:30 p.m. Blues Shaking the Fields
- 4:15 p.m. John Nemeth
JACKSON MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM AND BLUES STAGE
- 11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion- Muddy Waters & Willie Dixon
- 1 p.m. Tawanna Shaunte
- 2:30 p.m. Tonya Boyd Cannon
- 4 p.m. Patrice Moncell
- 5:30 p.m. Blues Jam Session with Dexter Allen
PEPSI FRONT PORCH STAGE
Celebrating Centennials 1915-2015
- Noon Celebrating Centennials of 1915 -2015: Honey Boy Edwards, Brownie McGhee and Johnny Shines, a Round Robin with Bill Sims, Jr., Paul Kaya, and others
- 1:30 p.m. Paul Kaye Trio
- 3 p.m. M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio
- 4:30 p.m. Heritage Blues Orchestra Quartet
The 32nd Annual Chicago Blues Festival will take place June 12 – 14 from 11:30am to 9pm each day in Grant Park, Chicago, IL.
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