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

Hey Nonny (Arlington Hts.) Mississippi Heat/ photo: Jennifer Noble Top Blues Bands to celebrate Blues Week (and beyond) at Hey Nonny Schedule February 2026 2/3 -- Mississippi Heat 2/4 -- Mike Wheeler Band & Stefan Hillesheim Band 2/5 -- Smiley Tillmon Band w/ Kate Moss 2/6 -- The Jimmys 2/7 -- Will Tilson 2/10 -- John Primer 2/11 -- Corky Siegel Tickets: Hey Nonny VIEW ALL EVENTS

Review: Glenn Noble/ Photos: Jennifer Noble Review by: Glenn Noble. Photos by: Jennifer Noble Legend is a word often used, and sometimes misused, as a shorthand way of describing the status of a musician or artist.  In the case of Mavis Staples , the label of “legend” is entirely justified -- given the longevity of her career, the significant historical context around her and the Staple Singers, the degree of affection with which she is held in her native city, and not least,

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

Buddy Guy's Legends Bobby Rush & Buddy Guy/Photo: Lynn Orman Find ticket information HERE Buddy Guy & Special Guests Jan. 3 - 30 residency shows Shows are: Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (some exceptions) Buddy Guy's Legends , 700 S. Wabash (at Balboa), Chicago Doors: 5:00 p.m Dinner Acoustic Set 5:30 p.m. Show times: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Reserved seating: $142.14 /GA Standing only: $90.64 (includes fees) AGE RESTRICTIONS: All Buddy Shows are 21+. ABOUT THE ARTIST: George "B

By Marty Gunther Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for January 2026   Kim Wilson – Slow Burn MC Records MC0096 www.mc-records.com Harp player Kim Wilson has a deep respect for his forebears and his former musical partners, too. He pays tribute to three of them -- pianist Barrelhouse Chuck, bassist Larry Taylor and drummer Richard Innes – with this disc of previously unreleased material captured in 2014 and 2020. It’s a welcome follow-up to his Grammy-nominated The Bigtone Sessions . I

The Venue (Aurora) Scott Tipping/ photo by: Bright Soul Scott Tipping will celebrate the release of his new album, The Fade , with special guest Phil Angotti at The Venue on Jan. 2, 2026. Tickets: The Venue About The Artist Scott Tipping will spend his birthday on stage in the New Year, which will be a big shift from how he spent January 2 a couple of years ago. Tipping, a musician from Wheaton, turned 50 from a hospital room after a severe car accident two days after Christ