Live Show Reviews

Buddy Guy's 89th Birthday Party – Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, July 30, 2025

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...

Albert Castiglia – SPACE, Evanston, July 22, 2025

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

Dom Flemons – SPACE, Evanston, July 13, 2025

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

Dave Specter – SPACE, Evanston, June 24, 2025

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

Blues Inferno – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, June 7, 2025

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

Eric Johanson – SPACE, Evanston, June 4, 2025

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

Larkin Poe/Amythyst Kiah – The Vic Theater, Chicago, May 17, 2025

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

Jackie Venson – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, May 8, 2025

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

Tinsley Ellis – SPACE, Evanston, April 24, 2025

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

Stefan Hillesheim Band – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, April 1, 2025

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria Stefan Hillesheim & Darryl Wright Stefan Hillesheim Band - Fitzgerald’s Sidebar, Berwyn, April 1,...

Melody Angel – SPACE, Evanston, March 8, 2025

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria Melody Angel - SPACE, Evanston, March 8th, 2025 By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria March 8th...

Marcia Ball – SPACE, Evanston, March 4, 2025

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Marcia Ball at SPACE in Evanston, IL, March 4, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria Louisiana native...

Marty Big Dog Mercer – Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, Feb. 28, 2025

Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble Marty Mercer/ photo: Jennifer Noble Marty "Big Dog" Mercer Live at the Roxy CD release show...

Tab Benoit – Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, IL, Feb. 23, 2025

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Tab Benoit at the Des Plaines Theatre, February 23, 2025 Review & Photos by Jim...

Brother John Band – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., Feb. 5, 2025

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Brother John Band Brother John Band w/ Doug Corcoran, Chris Neal, Marqueal Jordan, Marty Binder & Nick Fane...

Cold Stares – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., Feb. 4, 2025

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria L to R -- Chris Tapp, Bryce Klueh, Brian Mullins The Cold Stares at Hey Nonny Live Show Review & Photos...

Stephen Hull Experience – SPACE, Evanston, Feb. 3, 2025

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Concert Review Stephen Hull Experience SPACE , Evanston, IL, February 3, 2025 Review & Photos: By Jim...

Matthew Skoller, Harrell Davenport & Chicago Wind – The Loft, Ramova Theater, Chicago, Feb. 2, 2025

Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble Harrell Davenport Ramova Blues Masters series: Blue Sunday at the Ramova Loft: Harrell “Young...

Soul Celebration – Logan Center, U of C, Chicago, Jan. 31, 2025

Review: Glenn Noble Photos: Jennifer Noble L to R -- Joe Barr, Theo Huff, Nellie Travis, Billy Branch, Matthew Skoller University of...

Billy Gibbons – Park West, Chicago, Feb. 1, 2025

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Billy Gibbons/ photo: Jim Summaria Billy Gibbons and the BFGs at the Park West, Chicago February 1, 2025...

Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., Jan. 18, 2025

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria L to R -- Rogers Randle, Dave Weld, Monica Myhre Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames w/ Monica Myhre, Jeff...

Buddy Guy & Kingfish – Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, IL, Jan. 9, 2025

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria photo: Jim Summaria Buddy Guy and Kingfish at Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, IL, January 9, 2025 Buddy Guy...

Ruf Records 30th Anniversary Tour – Arcada Theater, St. Charles, IL, Nov. 10, 2024

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria Ruf Records 30th Anniversary Tour Featuring Samantha Fish, Ghalia Volt, Canned Heat, Bernard...

Sue Foley – SPACE, Evanston, Nov. 3, 2024

Review & Photos: Jim Summaria Concert Review Sue Foley SPACE, Evanston, IL, November 3, 2024 By Jim Summaria I love the moment at a...

Taj Farrant – Arcada Theater, St. Charles, IL, Oct. 25, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Taj Farrant/ photo: Jim Summaria Taj Farrant at Arcada Theater, St. Charles, IL, October 25, 2024...

Danielle Nicole – City Winery, Chicago, Oct. 23, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Danielle Nicole/ photo: Jim Summaria Danielle Nicole at City Winery, Chicago, October 23, 2024 By Jim...

Leading Ladies of the Blues – Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg, IL, Oct. 19, 2024

By Linda Cain Photos: Jim Summaria L to R: Sheryl Youngblood, Lynne Jordan, Chuck Crane, Donna Herula, Peaches Staten, DuJuan Austin,...

Marcus King – Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI., Sept. 26, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Marcus King/ photo: Jim Summaria Marcus King at the Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI, September 26, 2024...

Larry McCray – SPACE, Evanston, Sept. 12, 2024

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria Larry McCray & Dave Specter Concert Review Larry McCray SPACE, Evanston, IL, September 12, 2024...

Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Aug. 29, 2024

By Mark Plotnick & Jim Summaria Photos: Jim Summaria Concert Review Artists: Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar Where: Fitzgerald’s,...

Gerald McClendon – Galewoodstock, Chicago, August 24, 2024

Article & Photos: Peter Hurley Photo: Gerald McClendon Gerald McClendon at Galewoodstock Live Show Review & Photos by Peter Hurley ...

Kevin Purcell & The Root Doctors – Hey Nonny, Arlington Hts., Aug. 3, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria L to R -- Tony Root, Kevin Purcell Kevin Purcell & The Root Doctors w/ Mike Church, Rob Anderlik, Tony...

Gabe Stillman – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Aug. 6, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria photo: by Jim Summaria Gabe Stillman Live Show Review by Jim Summaria Gabe Stillman and his band put on...

Tedeschi Trucks Band – Northerly Island, Chicago, July 31, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria Attending a Tedeschi Trucks Band concert is a magical musical experience. This band is one of the best out...

Delta Blues Trio – Arcada Legend Stage, St. Charles, July 24, 2024

Article & Photos: Jim Summaria L to R -- Downtown Charlie Brown, Donna Herula, John Primer Delta Blues Trio John Primer, Donna Herula,...

Walter Trout – SPACE, Evanston, July 14, 2024

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria Walter Trout Concert Review Artist: Walter Trout Where: Space, Evanston, IL When: Sunday, July 14,...

Larkin Poe – Northshore Center, Skokie, June 21, 2024

By Mark Plotnick Photos: Jim Summaria L to R : Rebecca and Megan Lovell Concert Review Artist: Larkin Poe Where: Northshore Center for...

Southern Avenue – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Sept. 23, 2023

By Robin Zimmerman Photos: Howard Greenblatt Southern Avenue at FitzGerald’s: L to R -- Ava Jackson (vocals), Ori Naftaly (guitar),...

Cash Box Kings – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Aug. 1, 2023

By Robin Zimmerman Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Cash Box Kings at FitzGerald’s: L to R -- Billy Flynn, Marc Edelstein, Joe Nosek, Oscar...

Tedeschi Trucks Band – Chicago Theatre, April 1, 2023

By Linda Cain photo: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Tedeschi Trucks Band Chicago Theater, Chicago April 1, 2023 Derek Trucks (lead guitar) & Susan...

Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Blues Revue – Prairie Center, Schaumburg, Oct. 22, 2022

By Robin Zimmerman Photos: Mike Hoffman Surrounded by a sparkling lake and well-manicured green space, the Al Larson Theater at the...

Buddy Guy & more at Blues on the Fox, Aurora, June 18, 2022

By Linda Cain Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau photo: Dianne Bruce Dunklau Blues on the Fox June 17-18 2022 RiverEdge Park, Aurora, IL...

Kingfish w/ Maggie Rose, The Vic, Chicago, March 27, 2022

By Robin Zimmerman Photos: Michael Lepek, Roman Sobus photo: Michael Lepek Christone "Kingfish" Ingram w/ Maggie Rose Band at The Vic,...

Bluesday Tuesday – Mike Wheeler Band, FitzGerald's, Dec. 7, 2021

By Robin Zimmerman Photos: Howard Greenblatt L to R: Mike Wheeler, Cleo Cole, LaMonte DeMille, Larry Williams Bluesday Tuesday with Mike...

Carolyn Wonderland – City Winery, Chicago, Oct. 25 2021

By Linda Cain Photos: Roman Sobus Texas wonder woman Carolyn Wonderland is an extraordinary, exuberant guitarist and so much more. She...

Berwyn Blues Fest – FitzGerald's, Berwyn, IL Sept. 24-26 2021

By Robin Zimmerman Photos: Howard Greenblatt Lil' Ed kicked off the Berwyn Blues Fest by getting friendly with the fans. For one glorious...

Alligator Records 50th Anniversary – Millennium Park, Chicago, Sept. 18, 2021

By Linda Cain Photos: Dianne Bruce Dunklau to see more photos visit our FB page Alligator's 50th Anniversary Celebration at Millennium...

Granville Blues Fest – July 15-18, 2021

By Lee Ann Flynn photo: John Primer and youngest fan Chicago Blues Boosts Black Business: Granville BID’s 4th Annual Blues Fest John...

Tedeschi Trucks Band – Chicago Theatre January 25, 2020

By Linda Cain Derek Trucks (lead guitar) & Susan Tedeschi (lead vocals, guitar) Tyler Greenwell (Drums) J.J. Johnson (Drums) Mike...