Recently retired radio host Tom Marker recalls highlights from his 50 year career that include close encounters with Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy and Keith Richards, to name a few. By Robin Zimmerman Mavis Staples & Tom Marker/Photo: Debbie Moore Tom Marker Interview   By Robin Zimmerman   Tom Marker proved to be the perfect person to have the proverbial cup of coffee with. Recently retired after an illustrious radio career spanning 50 years, he came ready to spill

Review: Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble Mad Dogs & Englishmen: A tribute to Joe Cocker & Leon Russell at the North Shore Center in Skokie November 8, 2025 Review by: Glenn Noble. Photos by: Jennifer Noble   Music is a peculiar thing -- it lives, briefly and vibrantly, in the moment of performance; but it’s far from uncommon for this transitory experience to change lives and endure in the memory for a lifetime. Given the right alchemy of songwriting, performers and audienc

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria Jack Casady, Justin Guip (drums), Jorma Kaukonen Hot Tuna – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL George Van Dusen Theatre November 5 th , 2025   By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria   Fifty-six years ago, I first experienced the musicianship of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady as members of the Jefferson Airplane. The place was Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom and the venue conditions were far from ideal. But none of that tro

Delta/Chicago blues veteran joins with Chicago jazz giants to come Full Circle and revisit his early hits Story and Photos: Peter M. Hurley Photo: Peter Hurley   Jimmy Burns Comes Full Circle By Peter Hurley Veteran Bluesman Jimmy Burns slipped into the booth at the Italian restaurant chain, the one with the free breadsticks, where he had arranged to meet for lunch. His beard was fuller and snowier than when last seen, his almond shaped eyes alive and dark with amber-tinged w