Chicago Blues Festival
June 8-11, 2006
23rd Year

The 23rd edition of the annual Chicago Blues Festival is planning to commemorate the centennials of Roosevelt Sykes and Eurreal "Little Brother" Montgomery. In the tradition of celebrating blues icons annually from Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith to Big Bill Broonzy and (last year) Big Maceo, the festival will explore the deep history and present the brightest exponents within the heritage of the blues.

So this year, be prepared to experience the seminal music from the St. Louis Blues to St. James Infirmary as well as roll from the Vicksburg Blues to Howlin' Wolf's, 44 Blues. The Chicago Blues Festival is prepared to unveil the untold history of the blues that make Chicago the "Mecca" of blues lovers from all over the world each June.

Thursday, June 8, 2006 - "First Time I Met the Blues"

Route 66 Road House

• Noon-1:30 pm - Blues In the Schools Roundup: Songs for 2006 Vicksburg Blues, St. James Infirmary, and John Henry
• 2:30-4:00 pm - Centennial Celebrations: Little Brother Montgomery (Barrelhouse Chuck), Roosevelt Sykes (Don Washington, Julien Brunetand), Blind Arvella Grey (Cary Baker)

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 - Mississippi Round Robin: Lonnie Gearshifter Youngblood, Terry Harmonica Bean, and Ben Wiley Payton
• 2:00-3:00 - Super Chikan
• 3:30-4:30 - Delta Blues Museum Educational Program
• 5:00-6:00 - Jam Station

U.S. Cellular Front Porch

• 1:00-2:30 - Blues in the Schools: Stone Academy, Drummond School and Reavis School
• 3:00-4:00 - Fernando Jones and the Chicago Blues Ensemble
• 4:30-6:00 - Saffire: the Uppity Blues Woman

Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club

• 1:30-2:00 - Julien Brunetand
• 2:30-3:00 - Larry McCray
• 3:30-4:00 - Lil Ray
• 4:30-5:30 - Don Washington

Gibson Guitar Cross Roads

• 12:30-2:15 - The Lost Treasures of the Blues
• Charlie Love and the Silky Smooth with Special Guests Osee Anderson, John Hill, Liz Mandville Greeson, Delores Scott and Mr. Mean
• 2:45-4:00 - Thornetta Davis
• 4:30-6:00 - Barrelhouse Chuck

Petrillo Music Shell

• 6:00-6:50 - Artie "Blues Boy" White
• 7:00-8:10 - Larry McCray
• 8:20-9:30 - Bettye LaVette

 

Friday, June 9, 2006 - "Drivin' Wheel"

Route 66 Roadhouse

• 12:00-1:30 - Songwriting: Johnnie Mae Dunson Smith
• 2:30-3:30 - The Spirit of Route 66

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 - Mississippi Round Robin Part 2 featuring Gearshifter, Harmonica Bean, and Ben Wiley Payton
• 2:00-3:00 - Smokey Smothers and Elvin Bishop
• 3:30-4:30 - Gearshifter
• 5:00-6:30 - Jam Station

U.S. Cellular Front Porch

• 1:00-2:30 - Louisiana Red w/ Devil in a Woodpile
• 3:00-4:30 - Super ChiKan
• 5:00-6:30 - Eddie Bo

Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club

• 1:30-2:30 - Henry Butler with Vasti Jackson
• 3:00-4:00 - Kenny Blues Boss Wayne
• 4:30-5:30 - Zydeco Joe Mouton

Gibson Guitar Cross Roads

• 12:30-1:45 - Lil Ray
• 2:00-3:15 - Chris Beard
• 3:30-5:00 - Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia

Petrillo Music Shell

• 6:00-6:50 - Deitra Farr
• 7:00-8:00 - Henry Butler Band w/ Vasti Jackson
• 8:10-9:30 - Elvin Bishop Group

 

Saturday, June 10, 2006 "Wang Dang Doodle"

Route 66 Roadhouse

• 11:30-1:00 - The Blues Congress: The Not-for -Profit Representation in the Preservation of the Blues
• 2:00-3:30 - Howlin' Wolf Birthday Party

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-2:00 - Gearshifter, Ben Payne
• 2:30-3:00 - Master Set: Honey boy Edwards, Robert Jr., Homesick James, and Henry Townsend.
• 3:30-4:30 - Terry Harmonica Bean
• 5:00-7:00 - Harmonica Jam Station: featuring Harper and the spirit of Little Walter

U.S. Cellular Front Porch

• 12:00-1:30 - Master Set: David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Henry Townsend and Homesick James
• 2:00-3:00 - Zydeco Joe , The Jack Rabbit
• 3:30-5:00 - James Blood Ulmer
• 5:30-7::00 - Daddy Mack

Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club

• 1:30-2:00 - Ronnie Baker Brooks
• 2:30-3:30 - Henry Gray and the Topcats
• 4:30-5:30 - Lil Ray

Gibson Guitar Cross Roads

• 12:30-1:45 - Big George Brock
• 2:00-3:15 - Super ChiKan
• 3:30-5:00 - Ronnie Baker Brooks

Petrillo Music Shell

• 5:00-6:05 - Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang with Special Guests Mary Lane, Henry Gray and Abb Locke
• 6:15-7:10 - Zora Young
• 7:20-8:20 - Siegel-Schwall Blues Band w/ Marcy Levy
• 8:30-9:30 - Walter Wolfman Washington and the Roadmasters

 

Sunday, June 11, 2006 - "St. James Infirmary"

Route 66 Roadhouse

• 11:30-1:00 - The Role of the Biography in the perpetuation of the Legacy of the Blues or how Blues Literature spreads the word.
• 2:00-3:30 - Chicago Blues, Today with David Whiteis

Mississippi Juke Joint

• 12:30-1:30 - Dancin' Perkins w/ Smilin' Bobby and their sons
• 2:00-3:00 - Charley Nelson
• 3:30-4:30 - Super Chikan
• 5:00-7:00 - Jam Station

U.S. Cellular Front Porch

• 1:00-2:00 - Lee Boys
• 2:30-3:30 - Raful Neal, Jr
• 4:00-5:30 - Catherine Russell
• 6:00-7:00 - Lee Boys

Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club

• 1:30-2:30 - Louisiana Red
• 3:00-4:00 - Blues: Chicago's World Music
• 4:30-5:30 - Zydeco Joe Mouton

Gibson Guitar Cross Roads

• 12:30-1:45 - Shirley Johnson
• 2:00-3:15 - Earl Thomas
• 3:30-5:00 - Nolan Struck and King Edward with Jackie Bell

Petrillo Music Shell

• 5:00-6:50 - Next Generation Soul Blues showcasing Vick Allen, the PG Man with Lady Audrey, and Omar Cunningham featuring the Platinum Band
• 7:00-8:10 - Dorothy Moore
• 8:20-9:30 - Bobby Blue Bland