On paper, at least, the 15th annual Chicago Blues Festival — running Thursday through June 7 in Grant Park — looks to be one of the more promising of recent years. With its mix of stars (Ray Charles, Ruth Brown and Tyrone Davis), pioneers (Robert Jr. Lockwood and Pinetop Perkins), eccentrics (Olu Dara) and timeless masters (Otis Rush and Charles Brown), the lineup certainly underscores Chicago’s deep blues legacy.
In addition, each day’s proceedings reflect a specific theme: Thursday is “The Genius” (referring to headliner Ray Charles), June 4 is “All Great Guitars,” June 5 is “Rhythm & Blues,” June 6 is “Chicago Soul.”
As always, the festival is free, with the nighttime action at the Petrillo Music Shell (Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard), daytime sets at the Front Porch, Crossroads and Juke Joint side stages (adjacent to Petrillo).
For more information on the fest, presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, phone 312-744-3315. Following is an annotated schedule:
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Front Porch Stage
2 p.m.– Blues in the Schools, with Billy Branch and Roy Hytower. Veteran singer-harpist Branch and guitarist-vocalist Hytower collaborate with youngsters from Grant Academy, South Loop Elementary School and Stone Academy.
3:30 p.m. — Remembering Jimmy “Papa” Yancey. Pianist Erwin Helfer and multi-instrumentalist Ann Rabson consider themselves musical heirs to Yancey.
5 p.m. — Blues Kids of America. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Fernando Jones leads a group of Chicago schoolchildren.
Crossroads Stage
3 p.m. — Johnnie Bassett. Steeped in the traditions of Detroit music, guitarist-vocalist Bassett evokes R&B and soul sounds of the ’50s.
4:30 p.m. — Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women. A string band updated for the ’90s, the ensemble includes singer Gaye Adegbolala, pianist Ann Rabson and bassist-mandolinist Andra Faye McIntosh.
Juke Joint
2:30 p.m.– Gaye-Andra. The duo features two members of Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women.
3:30 p.m.– Harmonica Hinds. A veteran of Theresa’s and other fabled South Side blues clubs, Hinds has played with virtually everyone who matters in Chicago blues.
5 p.m. — Roy Hytower. The eclectic singer-guitarist is best known for his 1988 recording “The Root Doctor.”
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m. Pinetop Perkins and Willie Smith. Both Perkins, a venerable pianist, and “Big Eyes” Smith, a dexterous drummer, were members of Muddy Waters’ band in the ’70s.
7 p.m. — Charles Brown. The magnificent singer-pianist has been enjoying a career resurgence, for good reason: No one matches the majesty of his vocals or his deep-in-the-keys pianism.
8:25 p.m. — “The Golden Anniversary, Featuring Ray Charles.” To mark Brother Ray’s 50th year in show business, the Blues Festival has reconvened an alumni band including saxophonists Hank Crawford and David “Fathead” Newman, plus vocalist Mable John.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
Front Porch Stage
1 p.m. — Blues in the Schools, with Billy Branch.
3 p.m. — Sunnyland Memorial Piano Set. To honor the memory of Chicago pianist Sunnyland Slim, this set will offer a reunion of his Big Four band, including percussionist-saxophonist Sam Burckhardt, guitarist Steve Freund and bassist Bob Stroger, with guest pianist David Maxwell.
5 p.m. — Fruteland Jackson. The singer-guitarist addresses contemporary issues through blues traditions.
Crossroads Stage
2 p.m. — Carl Weathersby. Formerly of Billy Branch’s Sons of Blues, guitarist Weathersby merges traditional electrified blues with related genres.
4 p.m. — Chico Banks. The guitarist’s sound is billed as “a high-powered fusion of funk, rock and blues.”
Juke Joint Stage
2 p.m. — Joe Louis Walker with Robert Jr. Lockwood. A certifiable blues legend, guitarist Lockwood studied with Robert Johnson and here will be joined by gospel-tinged guitarist Walker.
3:30 p.m. — Fruteland Jackson.
5 p.m. — Steve Freund. The pop-savvy guitarist, a former Chicagoan, returns home.
6 p.m. — Carl Weathersby and Chico Banks.
Petrillo Music Shell
6 p.m. — Jimmy Dawkins. A veteran of the West Side blues scene, Dawkins earns his nickname, “Fast Fingers.”
7 p.m. — Joe Louis Walker with guests Steve Cropper and Scotty Moore. Walker shares the stage with two seasoned blues guitar virtuosos.
8:25 p.m. — Otis Rush. He’s still revered as one of the most important vocalists in blues.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Front Porch Stage
1 p.m. — Fat Possum Vanagan, featuring T-Model Ford, Elmore Williams and Robert Cage. Veteran Southern blues musicians Ford, Williams and Cage will represent the Fat Possum Records label.
3 p.m. — Homesick James and Henry Townsend. The two octogenarians are glorious throwbacks to pre-electric blues traditions.
5 p.m. — David “Honeyboy” Edwards. The personification of the Delta blues tradition, singer-guitarist Edwards has been a key player since the 1940s.
Crossroads Stage
1:30 p.m. — Little Bobby and Spice. Saxophonist Little Bobby Neely leads his band, Spice, in a variety of blues-related genres.
3:30 p.m. — Deitra Farr and Johnny Rawls. Vocalist Farr will be joined by veteran producer-instrumentalist Rawls.
Juke Joint Stage
2 p.m. — Carey Bell and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. Bell, a brilliant harpist, will share the stage with veteran Edwards.
3:30 p.m. — Fat Possum Vanagan.
5 p.m. — Homesick James and Henry Townsend
5:30 p.m — Olu Dara. Cornetist, bandleader, storyteller, singer, dancer — he leaves no musical art form untouched.
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m. — Carey Bell.
6:15 p.m. — Texas Johnny Brown. The jazz-influenced singer-guitarist makes his second appearance the Chicago Blues Festival.
7:30 p.m. — Olu Dara.
8:20 p.m. — Ruth Brown. A singer who transcends genre, Brown can seize an audience’s attention at a sophisticated supper club or a gritty blues festival with comparable ease.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Front Porch Stage
1 p.m. — Michael Roach and Jerry Ricks. Two acoustic blues guitarists examine the early decades of the music.
3 p.m. — Strate Ahead Jazz Band Tribute to the Classics. Expect jazz standards.
4:30 p.m. — Kelly Joe Phelps. Once dubbed “the John Coltrane of the slide guitar,” Phelps explores rural blues idioms.
Crossroads Stage
1:30 p.m. — Shemekia Copeland. Her rambunctious vocal style is said to suggest a young Koko Taylor.
3:30 p.m. — Robert Jr. Lockwood.
Juke Joint Stage
2:30 p.m. — Kelly Joe Phelps.
3:30 p.m. — Michael Roach.
4:30 p.m. — Jerry Ricks.
Petrillo Music Shell
5 p.m. — Nolan Struck and King Edward. The brothers team as a vocal-guitar duo.
6:30 p.m. — Toni Lynn Washington. Washington comes billed as a sophisticated vocalist with R&B roots.
8 p.m. — Tyrone Davis. The admired Chicago crooner commands a national reputation for the plushness of his instrument.
