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

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Tiernii & Tikyra Southern Avenue at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, IL, Saturday, October 18, 2025   Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria Every once in a while you come across a group that just "wows" you. This was the case for me when I recently experienced the group Southern Avenue. They blend blues, soul, rock and gospel into a beautiful package of inspiring lyrics and spirited music.   This traveling family band from Mem

Story & Photos by Jim Summaria L to R: Barbra Marks, Bettye Kelly, Evelyn Tan Cooper, Freddie Dixon The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum and...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria The Who & Joe Bonamassa at the United Center in Chicago September 7, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria...

“I had to have some blues of my own to sing about….you don’t just get up and go outside and say, ‘Look at me, I’m a bluesman!’ You’ve got...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Chris Cain & Constantine Bogios Chris Cain at SPACE in Evanston, IL, August 20, 2025 Review & Photos: By...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Nick Moss Band at SPACE August 11, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria   When Nick Moss took the stage,...

By Linda Cain Photos: Jennifer Noble Buddy Guy Celebrates 89 th  Birthday and new album release at his club Buddy Guy’s Legends By Linda...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Albert Castiglia at SPACE July 22, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria   Albert Castiglia and his band...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Dom Flemons at SPACE in Evanston, IL, July 13, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria     Dom Flemons bills...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Dave Specter album release party at SPACE June 24, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria   Bluesman Dave...

Review by Terry Abrahamson Dancing with Muddy Author: Jerry Portnoy Chicago Review Press   By Terry Abrahamson   Jerry Portnoy grew up...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria L to R: Alastair Greene, Kris Lager, Chris Duarte/photo: Jim Summaria Blues Inferno Tour with Chris Duarte,...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Eric Johanson at SPACE in Evanston, IL, June 4, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria   Eric Johanson’s...

By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria Rebecca & Megan Lovell Larkin Poe & Amythyst Kiah  - The Vic Theater, Chicago, May 17, 2025 By Linda...

Review & Photos by Jim Summaria Jackie Venson Jackie Venson at Fitzgerald's, May 8, 2025 Review & Photos by Jim Summaria   Jackie...

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Tinsley Ellis at SPACE in Evanston, IL, April 24, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria Famed bluesman...

By Robin Zimmerman C.J. Chenier/ photo: D. Anson Brody It seems serendipitous that FitzGerald’s history coincides with the birth of...