The Chicago Blues Festival, like most blues fests, makes commemoration part of its mission as a matter of course. This year a multitude of blues and boogie pianists are on hand to celebrate the centennials of Albert Ammons and Sunnyland Slim, and former sidemen of Howlin’ Wolf (who would’ve been 97 on June 10), Muddy Waters (Wolf’s greatest rival, brought by Sunnyland in 1947 to the label that became Chess Records), and Sunnyland are reuniting for sets in honor of their old bosses.
The layout of the festival grounds remains unchanged from last year. The Petrillo Music Shell showcases national acts and top-tier locals. The Mississippi Juke Joint, which emphasizes more intimate presentations, is at Columbus and Van Buren; the Louisiana Bayou Station & Social Club, which is mostly pianists this year, is on Columbus between Jackson and Monroe. The Crossroads, at Jackson and Lake Shore, features electric blues; the Front Porch, south of Jackson and west of Columbus, features acoustic and traditional styles. The Route 66 Roadhouse, which hosts panels and workshops, is at Jackson and Columbus. All events are free. DW
1:30 PMAaron Moore
Notwithstanding his status as “the other Guy,” at this point Phil Guy is far more of a meat-and-potatoes bluesman than Buddy, and he’s certainly paid his dues–behind his brother, with Junior Wells, even on his own. You can hear both his south Louisiana upbringing and his south-side Chicago panache in his guitar work: he tosses in a little low-down funk now and again, but his lead lines stay blissfully focused. BD
Formerly Lonnie Brooks’s second guitarist, Osee Anderson is equally at home with Delta minimalism and Wes Montgomery-style sophistication. He tends to rely a bit too heavily on pyrotechnics, but when he reins in that bad habit you can hear how committed he is–both to blues tradition and to his own eclectic set of influences. DW
Despite their similarities, Cajun and Creole musical traditions are distinct, and many fans and practitioners are adamant about keeping them that way. Not so accordionist Willis Prudhomme: mentored by Cajun legend Nathan Abshire, he combines bluesy, hectic zydeco with more sedate but no less complex Cajun material. DW
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With his long service in bands led by Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim, John Primer is about as well–seasoned as a Chicago blues guitarist can possibly be. A native of Camden, Mississippi, he’s been playing electric blues with his own band for a while, his exuberant vocals and uncommonly fluid leads sticking close to the Chicago tradition. BD
