Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Mud Morganfield & Studebaker John Mud Morganfield w/ Rick Kreher, Studebaker John, Sumito Ariyoshi, Pookie Styx & E.G. McDaniel at Hey Nonny, April 28, 2026 Live Show Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Larry "Mud" Morganfield was born into the blues. He's the eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) the "Father of Modern Chicago Blues." Mud carries on the family tradition of playing blues in its most pure form. Like any

FitzGerald's (Berwyn) Photo: Jim Summaria Back by popular demand: Jackie Venson to perform weekly residency at FitzGerald's in May When: Thursdays, May 7,14,21,28 2026 Time: 8:30 p.m. Where: FitzGerald's , Berwyn ABOUT: Jackie Venson Jackie Venson is a gifted singer, guitarist and songwriter who is bringing her unique talents to Fitzgerald's in Berwyn for a four-date residency. She will perform each Thursday on May 7,14,21 and 28. Venson was born and bred in the music hot

Release date: May 15, 2026 Nola Blue Records By Glenn Noble Omar Coleman/photo by: Jennifer Noble The title of this album hints at an intriguing potpourri of musical ingredients -- and equally this collaboration between a dyed-in-the-wool West Side Chicago harmonicist/vocalist in the shape of Omar Coleman, and a Brazilian guitar virtuoso in Igor Prado – which holds out the promise of an exciting meeting of talent from very different heritages. First impressions are of a fresh

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for May 2026 Freddie King – Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Jazz Pulsation Concerts Elemental Music www.elemental-music.com The recent Record Store Day served up a major treat for blues fans: A compilation of live recordings of the legendary Freddie King at the height of his power and career. Captured at a series of concerts in the French countryside in 1975, the Texas Cannonball fires on all cylinders throughout this set,

Chicago's Omar Coleman teamed up with Brazil's Igor Prado to collaborate on their hot, new release Old New Funky and Blue. The result lives up to the album's title with songs that reflect early influences -- like Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Junior Wells, Albert King and Albert Collins -- that will help listeners get their groove on. Omar and Igor will join forces again for their album release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on May 15, 2026. Bring your dancin' shoes! Story and Ph

Chicago Blues Festival Thursday – Sunday, June 4 – 7 Millennium Park, 4 stages across the Park Plus: The Ramova Theater at 35th & Halsted and Maxwell Street FREE! ChicagoBluesFestival.us Concerts will also be livestreamed at Youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE City of Chicago Announces 2026 Chicago Blues Festival Lineup June 4–7 Thursday, June 4 - Ramova Theatre Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St., Chicago IL. 60609 5 p.m. - doors 6-10:30 p.m. - panel discussion + double-bill program1

Deon Allman's Blues Summit with Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall, Ghalia Volt, Laka Soul

Release date: April 10, 2026 VizzTone/SWMAF Records By Robin Zimmerman Bob Corritore As harp master and blues ambassador Bob Corritore approaches his milestone 70 th birthday, he continues to go full steam ahead with his mission to bring memorable recordings to the masses. With a multitude of blues friends from every corner of the country coming to his Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Corritore can capitalize on these appearances and coordinate incredible recording sessions. His late

Release date: March 27 , 2026 Alligator Records By Mark Thompson photo by: Laura Carbone Over the years since he and his band won the 2013 International Blues Challenge, sponsored by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN, guitarist Selwyn Birchwood has pursued his own musical vision, providing an invaluable lesson for many of the new generation of blues artists. The IBC win led to his relationship with Alligator Records, with his latest album being his fifth for the famed label

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for April 2026 Eric Bibb – One Mississippi Repute Records RRCD001 https://reputerecords.com/ Three-time Grammy nominee Eric Bibb casts a magic spell every time he steps in front of a mic, and the acoustic master is at his best with this 13-song release. It transports listeners into the not-too-distant past and the turbulent present, too, as it calls out for peace, justice and unity in a world shattered by mistrust, misunderstanding

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria When Joanne Shaw Taylor (JST) was fourteen years old, her dad took her to a B.B. King concert in Birmingham, England. After King’s set concluded, she approached the stage for a souvenir guitar pick. King had none left, but he knelt down to chat with the diminutive fourteen-year-old girl who told him, “I think I’m going to be a blues woman. I’ve been listening and studying hard.” Eighteen months later, she was opening for the Beale Stree

Release date: March 15, 2026 Stella Blue Music By Mark Plotnick Photo: Jim Summaria Long ago, the Chinese philosopher Mencius said, “The best things in life come in threes.” Just ask singer, songwriter and guitarist Stefan Hillesheim. He and his wife Shadae recently welcomed daughter Layla into the world. Stefan also became a naturalized American citizen and now, the lanky guitarist and his band of seasoned musicians have just released a new album, capturing their performan

Hey Nonny (Arlington Hts.) photo: Jennifer Noble Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames will celebrate the birthday of singer Monica Myhre's, at Hey Nonny on April 4, 2026. There will be cake! Tickets: Hey Nonny Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames, are an authentic, real deal blues band, bursting with high energy, versatile talent, variety, and a cohesive show that includes original driving houserockin’ blues, boogie and soul. The originals are classic in nature, the standards are r

SPACE ( Evanston ) Photo: by Jim Summaria Find ticket information HERE . Stefan Hillesheim album release party w/special guests for Live At Chicago Blues Festival Guitar/Vocals: Stefan Hillesheim Bass: Darryl Wright Drums: Dionte McMusick Skinner Keys: Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi Guitar: Pete Galanis SPACE 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston March 25, 2026-- Wednesday Show: 8 p.m. Doors: 7 p.m. ABOUT THE ARTIST: Stefan Hillesheim is a German native who made the big move across the Atlan

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for March 2026 Duke Robillard – Blast Off! Nola Blue Records NB 053 www.dukerobillard.com If you like your blues infused with a heaping helping of jump, jazz and more, you’re going to love Duke Robillard’s debut on the Nola Blue imprint. One of the most stylist guitarists on the planet, the two-time Grammy winner swings from the hip in style here, delivering a gold-standard brand of music that never ages. The Rhode Islander’s backed

Together for 40 years, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials will release their first album in 10 years with a release party at FitzGerald's in Berwyn on Feb. 27, 2026. And we do mean PARTY! Story and Photos: Peter M. Hurley Photo: by Peter Hurley Lil' Ed talks about Slideways , JB Hutto, his songwriting process and more By Peter Hurley We arrange to meet before the gig at “Chicago’s Friendliest Blues Lounge,” Rosa’s Lounge, where Little Ed’ Williams holds down the Thursday night

Release date: February 27 , 2026 Alligator Records By Mark Baier photo by: Paul Natkin Lil’ Ed is throwing a party and everyone’s invited! The celebration has been brewing for 40 years and Alligator Records has the ticket, a raucous carnival of pure Chicago blues known as Slideways , Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials’ 10th release on the venerable label. Slideways is a rollicking carousel ride of joyous and raw West Side blues, delivered with an intensity and piping hot rhythm

Release date: January 30 , 2026 Alligator Records By Marty Gunther photo by: Bradley Cook Folks who love Tinsley Ellis for his firebrand, electrified blues rock probably were shocked by his 2024 Alligator release, Naked Truth – on which he went solo and acoustic and received a Blues Music Award nomination in the process. But the Atlanta native has always had a burning love for Piedmont-style guitar picking, too – so much so, that he spent the bulk of that year on his “Two Gui

SPACE ( Evanston ) Find ticket information HERE . Blind Boys of Alabama SPACE 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston February 26, 2026-- Thursday Show: 8 p.m. Doors: 7 p.m. ABOUT THE ARTIST: The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. Celebrated by The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Recording Academy/GRAMMYs with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five GRAMMY® Awards, th

Marty Gunther's Red Hot 'n Blues Reviews February 2026