HOT SHOW - Aug. 1-2: Billy Branch song release party, Rosa's Lounge

chicagoblueseditor
Jul 27
2 min read

Billy Branch & Sons of the Blues

w/ special guest Mae Koen

When: August 1 & 2 (Fri. & Sat.)

Show Times: 9:30 & 11 pm

Address: 3420 w. Armitage, Chicago, IL

Billy Branch and Sons of the Blues, plus special guest vocalist Mae Koen, will take the stage at Rosa’s Lounge for two nights to celebrate the release of their new single, “Begging for Change,” and the debut of the Rosa’s Lounge Records label.

“I am a son of the Blues!,” Billy Branch sings with authority each time he takes the stage, and that is no idle boast. The award-winning, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, harmonica player and band leader of the Sons of the Blues was mentored by Willie Dixon, James Cotton, Carey Bell, Junior Wells, Big Walter Horton -- to name a few of the legendary blues men who are the very cornerstone of the Chicago Blues genre. It’s a style that has been embraced and practiced by British superstars like the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, John Mayall, Jeff Beck, Fleetwood Mac and more. Branch is one of the few living blues artists today to have performed with and learned from the first generation of blues artists who migrated from the Delta to Chicago.

Branch has made it his mission, throughout his five decade career, to teach the blues to the young generations who will carry on this venerable American art form into the future.

The affable harmonica master created the Blues in the Schools program, which he has presented to youngsters all over the world. He passes out harmonicas, shows them how to play and educates them about the history and importance of blues music.

In 1996, Branch proudly brought a group of his students to perform with him on the main stage at the Chicago Blues Festival; NPR broadcast it to audiences all over the country.

As an artist, Branch has been able to retain the true blues tradition and to develop a fresh, vibrant style all his own, bringing elements of gospel, soul, and funk to his powerfully emotive and expressive style of harmonica playing. He has been honored with three Grammy nominations, earned three Blues Music Awards, two Keeping the Blues Alive awards (for the Education category) and two Living Blues Critics awards.

He has performed on over 250 recording sessions for some of the biggest names in the blues -- including Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, Lou Rawls, Willie Dixon and Lonnie Brooks --and has recorded 12 albums of his own.

Branch has been seen on NBC’s The Today Show, CBS’s Sunday Morning and appeared in two movies filmed in Chicago.

An international sensation, Branch serves as a true blues ambassador, bringing his exciting live performances to all parts of the globe, including China, Canada, South and Central America, Africa, Israel, all over Europe and the U.S.

Website: https://billybranch.com/index.html