WE are raising money to pay musicians that play our stage and cover the cost to operate the Windy City Blues Society Street Stage at the 2016 Chicago Blues Fest. In addition to playing without fee, our musicians bear other costs including parking fees and more. Please donate!
Click the link above to view their Chicago Blues Challenge performance
Born in Chicago in 1952, Dave was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78’s. In high school the Stones, Clapton and Mayall first came out but Dave traded those records for Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin Hopkins, and BB King. After high school Weld moved to New Mexico, and studied guitar under Kurt Black, a jazz player who worked with Benny Carter from the New York jazz scene. Dave drove to Nevada and met and jammed with Gatemouth Brown. Weld bought Hound Dog Taylor’s first Alligator album, heard Howlin Wolf over the radio in the desert one night, packed up and drove back home in his 67′ Ford.
Dave found out the West side of Chicago in the black hood was friendlier than the North side, and started sitting in at clubs, and landed a gig with Hound Dog Taylor’s band. During this time Weld was under tutelage from JB Hutto, a Grammy awarded Blues Hall of Fame slide man from Georgia. He studied at JB’s house for three years until JB introduced Dave to his nephews, Little Ed and James Young. They started the band “Little Ed and the Blues Imperials” and played every joint in the West side for ten years until Bruce Igauer from Alligator recorded them in a historic session “Roughousin'” and they started world tours. Dave is the most energetic man in the business.
Click the link above to view their Chicago Blues Challenge performance
“This is an utterly original mélange of all the music that we have enjoyed for around 80 years. It is also compelling as all get-out.” –Blues Matters UK
Like many blues and soul vocalists of note, Deb Landolt cultivated her soul/gospel honey-dipped voice in church as a child. Her VizzTone debut “Raise Your Hands” gained heavy rotation on Sirius/XM’s“Bluesville” and garnered attention both for her vocal dynamics and songwriting: owing a lot to her Texas/Mexico border roots.
Transpacific Bluesman Colin John received his early touring miles with Teeny Hodges, Little Mike andThe Tornadoes, Henry Grey, Pinetop Perkins, Michael Hill, Hubert Sumlin, Phil Guy, Big Jack Johnson, and Gary Brooker of Procol Harum.
Their one-of-a-kind sound incorporates a solid bedrock of blues and soul sensibilities cross-pollinated with their respective deep roots in Texas and Hawai’i and topped with world roots influences gleaned from their travels throughout the world.
Together, Long Tall Deb & Colin John have performed across Asia, Europe, North America and the Pacific and continue to license their songs in TV and film.
MudCity Blu is a trio including Kendall Carter on guitar and vocals, Peyton McDowell on bass, and Stacy Norris on drums. Kendall’s influences include Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. His originals integrate multiple genres, reinterpreted and fresh. Peyton has been steeped into the blues and jazz from an early age with great Chicago mentors. Stacy’s influences include Clyde Stubblefield, Buddy Rich, and Tony Royster Jr. The band got its start playing for the community at Jazzin’ and Jammin’ in Bronzeville, a venue which aims to bring jazz and blues back to its historic Chicago roots.
This post was written by Dave Madlener on August 19, 2019
WE are very excited to be partnered with Seat Geek Stadium, The Village of Bridgeview and Tour Works promotions. This is a one day fest / concert/ family fum event. We have a great musical line up with Grammy nominees and Blues Music Award winners.
Gates Open at Noon
12:00 – 5:00 Chicago Blues Challenge
Main Stage
1:00 -1 :40 Axe & The Hatchetmen
1:50 – 2:35 Kevin Purcell and The Nightburners
2:55 – 4:15 Bob Corritore Chi-town Blues Reunion
Featuring :Tail Dragger, Willie Buck, Oscar Wilson,
Bob Stroger, Billy Flynn and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
4:30 – 5: 30 Robert Kimbrough Sr. Blues Connection
This post was written by Dave Madlener on April 18, 2019
Chicago Blues Fest – WCBS Volunteers
The Blues Village, where our booth is located near Randolph & Michigan
The Windy City Blues Society will have a booth again at the Annual Chicago Blues Festival June 7–9, 2019 in Millennium Park; 201 E. Randolph St.
We need volunteers assist with WCBS merchandise / membership sales and distribute handouts to festival attendees. We have a number of shifts available for all three days. Please take a look at the the shifts and sign up to help.
See more information about VOLUNTEERING click HERE.
See more info about the Chicago Blues Fest click HERE
Thank You!
The Front Porch Stage. We have a great view of the stage.
This post was written by Dave Madlener on March 10, 2019
Blues is very different in the Eddie Taylor Family. They are WEST SIDE Chicago Blues with all it’s good and bad. I have known this crew since the early 80’s Chicago Blues Fest. It is tragic that Eddie Jr. passed, Brenda lost her husband and a grandmother passed recently.
Gob bless the siblings and the rest of the family, you are a Chicago Treasure.
Here is a video of Eddie from the 2018 Windy City Blues Fest
This post was written by Dave Madlener on April 3, 2017
Lonnie was a really nice person, we will miss him as a regular guy. Our hearts go out to his family. Losing a father, is never easy especially for boys. Please keep their entire family in your prayers and good thoughts
This post was written by Dave Madlener on April 2, 2017
So excited to see Zakiya Hooker on the schedule for the 2017 Chicago Blues Fest. I think this is one of the best line-ups The City has had in years.
WE also have the “KingFish” young fella, bout 16 or so, Out of ClARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI playing the Chicago Blues Fest. I really like the line-up the City put together.
The Cedrick Burnside Project and all things Cerdick Burnside are a great addition to the Chicago Blues Fest line-up. More of my favorite Mississippi Blues musicians and directly related to R.L. Burnside and the beat that started Hip-Hop (maybe). Click the link below to view an amazing video.
Chicago Blues Challenge
http://mudcityblu.com
