John Primer Tribute to Theresa's Lounge album review

The Venue (Aurora) SPACE (Evanston) photo by: Jim Summaria Boston Blues Rocker Albert Cummings to play at The Venue on Oct. 15 and at SPACE Oct. 19, 2026. Tickets: The Venue SPACE About The Artist Massachusetts born and raised bluesman Albert Cummings had the most unlikely path to becoming a respected professional musician. He earned an associate's degree in construction science and his family trade was building homes. His father also dabbled as a musician. His guitar and fid

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for October 2026 GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite – Blues Now New West Records www.ga10band.com Led by Charlie Musselwhite’s longtime guitarist, Matthew Stubbs, Boston-based GA-20 are a trio who’ve rocketed to the top of the industry in the past few years with their own brand of modern 1950s West Side Chicago blues. And octonarian Charlie’s found the Fountain of Youth through his partnership with this band. They hit new heights with t

Joanna Connor Live on 11/11 album review

Old Town School (Chicago) Photo: Robert Erving Potter II Donna Herula will celebrate the release of Cold Feet at the Old Town School on Friday, Sept. 25. For tickets and info click HERE Website: www.donnaherula.com When: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 Time: 8 p.m. Where: Old Town School/ Myron Szold Theater 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago Donna Herula is an award-winning singer, songwriter, slide guitarist, Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee and teacher at the Old Town School of Folk

Release date: September 18 , 2026 Self Release By Steve Jones photo by: Eric Kriesant Donna Herula is a Chicago Blues Hall of Famer. A native Chicagoan, she sings, plays slide guitar, writes many of her own songs and is just one heck of a great entertainer. Her noted and award winning 2021 album Bang At The Door set the bar high for future work, and Donna is up to the task with her new album of ten mostly original tracks. Joining Herula on the album are Tony Wittrock on acou

America's Blues Birthday Party , Veterans & Smith Park (Lyons) Bob Corritore's Chicago Blues Revue/ L to R: Billy Flynn, Jimi "Primetime" Smith, Willie Buck, Kenny Smith, Bob Corritore, Bob Stroger / Photo: Dave Specter America's Blues Birthday Party Hosted by the Windy City Blues Society September 19 - 20, 2026 2 stages featuring local and national acts including: Mud Morganfield Bob Corritore's Chicago Blues Revue w/ Lil' Ed, John Primer, Billy Flynn & more Dwayne Dopsie &

Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - September 2026

John Primer Tribute to Theresa's Lounge album review

Release date: May 29, 2026 Overton Music By Marty Gunther One of the most electrifying harp players in the world, Russ Green took the world by storm seven years ago with the release of City Soul, a debut release that won high praise from Living Blues and DownBeat magazine and earned Big Llou Johnson a Blues Music Award for producer of the year. If you were a fan of that one, you’ve got reason to rejoice because Russ has returned to the studio in the best way possible with thi

"The blues has never been about perfection. It's about telling the truth. When I listen to B.B. King, Buddy Guy, or Albert King, every note has emotion behind it. That's something I try to carry into everything I do. Technique is important, but feeling always comes first for me." By Linda Cain Photo/ Dianne Bruce Dunklau Ally Venable Interview By Linda Cain The label “child prodigy” is an often overused description, but in the case of Lone Star State blues-rock guitar slinge

Crossroads Blues Fest, Lyran Park (Rockford) Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Crossroads Blues Festival with: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Annika Chambers & Paul Deslaurier Band, Crystal Thomas Band, Stefan Hillesheim Band Lyran Park 4781 S. Bend Rd, Rockford August 29, 2026 -- Saturday Shows: 12 noon- 8 p.m. Gates: 11 a.m. Tickets: $10 advance, $20 at gate Under 18 FREE Food, beverage and merch booths will be on site. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. No outside food or drink al

"Granddaughter of the Blues“ Tomiko Dixon Walks the Walk The woman is brilliant, prepared and fired up. Granddaughter of the Blues, Tomiko Dixon, is running hot and ready for what comes her way. The talented singer, songwriter, producer, publishing company owner and career consultant forged this path for herself with experience, smarts, guts, and making the most of the gifts passed down through her grandfather, the legendary songwriter/bassist/producer/A&R man Willie Dixon.

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for August 2026 Chris O’Leary – Blue Collar Alligator Records 5032 www.thechrisolearyband.net As the title of this one suggests, vocalist/harp player Chris O’Leary is a hard-working bluesman who’s built a huge international following after spending seven years as the frontman in Leon Helms’ band. He’s also an artist who packs raw emotion and real-life themes into every tune he writes. He debuted on Alligator with the exceptional The

Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales, Ally Venable, Tommy Castro Review: La’Keba Garcia Gelardi Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Trombone Shorty What a beautiful evening for a show at RiverEdge Park in Aurora! The recently renovated venue provided the perfect setting, with ideal weather for an outdoor concert along the Fox River. Aurora has a deep connection to the blues. The historic Leland Hotel in downtown Aurora hosted RCA Victor recording sessions between 1937 and 1938 in the Sky C

Chicago Blues Festival June 7, 2026 Review: Linda Cain Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Taj Mahal/ photo: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Chicago Blues Festival June 7 , 2026 Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Chris Cain, Sue Foley, Women in Blues Tribute to Mama Yancey & Big Mama Thornton And now we find ourselves on Sunday the last day of Chicago Blues Festival 2026. After two days in Millennium Park and the Ramova Theater events on Thursday (which the fans were still raving about) th

Chicago Blues Festival June 6, 2026 75 Years of Billy Branch Review: La’Keba Garcia Gelardi Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau photo: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Chicago Blues Festival June 6, 2026 75 Years of Billy Branch: Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks and Kenny Neal Prior to his performance, Chicago blues harmonica master Billy Branch was honored with a Chicago mayoral proclamation recognizing his remarkable contributions to blues music and the ci

Release date: July 10 , 2026 Alligator Records By Steve Jones photo by: Jennifer Noble This is the seventh album release by Marine combat veteran Chris O’Leary and we continue to discover new sides of this extremely talented musician. It is his second release for Alligator and follows on the success of 2024’s The Hard Line. O’Leary penned all the songs here. Each is a story unto itself. He is ebullient, effusive, dynamic, creative and in control vocally. His harp is greasy,

Chicago Theater Buddy Guy/Photo: Jennifer Noble Find ticket information HERE Buddy Guy & Special Guests July 25, 2026 (Saturday) Chicago Theater, 175 N. State, Chicago ABOUT THE ARTIST: Buddy Guy celebrates his 90th birthday with a concert at the historic Chicago Theater! George "Buddy" Guy (born July 30, 1936) is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is an exponent of Chicago blues who has influenced generations of guitarists including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy

Chicago Blues Festival June 5, 2026 55 Years of Alligator Records Review: La’Keba Garcia Gelardi Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau L to R: Tinsley Ellis, Lil' Ed, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Bruce Iglauer, Wayne Baker Brooks, Toronzo Cannon, Nick Moss/ photo: Dianne Bruce Dunklau What a spectacular evening of blues music as fans gathered at the 2026 Chicago Blues Festival held at the Pritzker Pavilion to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Alligator Records, founded by Bruce Iglauer, wh