Chicago Blues Festival

  The 2021 festival, due to pandemic concerns was only held for one day in it’s downtown location. It was a celebration of the 50th

In 2020 the pandemic hit. All public gatherings were cancelled. The city put on a virtual (online) blues fest starting on the weekend that the

June 8-10, 2018 The festival kicked off with a tribute to Delmark Records- Celebrating it’s 65th Anniversary with a proclamation from the Mayor. This year

June 9-11, 2017 The festival included performances by Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, Rhymefest, John Primer and The Real Deal, Nellie “Tiger” Travis,

June 10-12, 2016 This years festival included a tribute to the life and work of notable west side guitar ace Otis Rush. It included a

June 12-14, 2015 This year’s festival included a centennial Tribute to Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, which included performances by many alumni from Muddy’s and

June 14-16, 2014 In 2014, from June 14 through June 16, artists included Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Bettye Lavette, Billy Boy Arnold, The Carolina Chocolate

June 6-9, 2013 In 2013, from June 6 through June 9, an experiment was tried where the Pritzker Pavillion was booked for a Thursday night

June 8-10, 2012 In 2012, from June 8 through June 10, artists included Quintus McCormick, Joe Louis Walker, Johnny Rawls, Big James & The Chicago

June 10-12, 2011 In 2011, the festival celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Alligator Records. Artists included Holle Thee Maxwell, Nora Jean Bruso, Eddie Cotton, David

June 11–13, 2010 In 2010, artists included Jimmy Dawkins w/Taildragger, Grady Champion, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, James Cotton Blues Band, Zora Young, Andre Williams, Sonny Rhodes,

June 12–14, 2009 In 2009, artists included The Charlie Musselwhite Band, Herman Moody Thomas and the Lee’s Unleaded Revue, East of the Edens Soul Express, Holle

June 5–8, 2008 In 2008, the Chicago Blues Festival celebrated its 25th year. Artists included Little Willie Littlefield, Bobby Parker and Karen Carroll with Charlie

June 8–11, 2007 In 2007, artists included Carl “Sonny” Leyland and Lila Ammons, John Primer, Willie Clayton, Jimmy Dawkins, Koko Taylor & the Blues Machine,

June 8-11, 2006 In 2006, artists included Super Chikan, Saffire: the Uppity Blues Women, Thornetta Davis, Barrelhouse Chuck, Artie “Blues Boy” White, Bettye LaVette, Smokey

June 9–12, 2005 In 2005, artists included Roosevelt Purifoy, Roland Tchakounte,  Nick Moss & the Flip Tops, Tommy McCracken & the Force of Habit Band, Grana’

June 10–13, 2004 In 2004, artists included Vino Louden, Detroit Junior, Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang, Johnny Drummer & the Starliters, Smokey Smothers, Eddy

May 29 – June 1, 2003 In 2003, artists included The Tony Rogers Band (featuring his son Jamiah), Sharon Lewis & the Mojo Kings, Dave

May 31-June 2, 2002 In 2002, artists included (among others) Bettye Lavette, Big Bill Morganfield, Bo Diddley, Carey Bell, Detroit Jr., Jody Williams, Lee “Shot”

June 8-10, 2001 In 2001, the Festival now expanded to six stages. Artists included Sam Lay, Joanna Connor, Erwin Helfer and Katharine Davis, Magic Slim

June 8–11, 2000 In 2000, the Festival expanded to four-day event. Artists included Little Milton, Deborah Coleman, Warren Haynes, Arthur Adams, Detroit Junior, Henry Gray,

June 4-6, 1999 In 1999, artists included, among others, Dave Myers and his New Aces, Kim Wilson, Johnnie Mae Dunson, Roy Hytower, Billy Branch, The

June 5-7, 1998 In 1998, artists included, among others Otis Rush, Homesick James, Henry Townshend, Honeyboy Edwards, Carey Bell, Olu Dara, Ruth Brown, Shemika Copeland,

June 6-8, 1997 The 1997 Festival included performances by the following, among others: Bo Diddley, Otis Clay, U.P. Wilson, Rufus Thomas, and many more.

May 31 and June 1 and 2, 1996 In 1996 the festival expanded to four stages with the introduction of the Juke Joint Stage. Artists

June 2–4, 1995 In 1995, artists included David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Detroit Junior, Fenton Robinson, Bobby Rush, Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, Eddie C. Campbell,

June 3-5, 1994 The 1994 Festival, from June 3 to 5 artists included Gene Chandler, Major Lance, Barbara Acklin, Linda Hopkins, Katie Webster, Floyd Dixon,

June 5–7, 1993 In 1993, artists included Mighty Joe Young, Junior Wells and Robert Jr. Lockwood, Yank Rachell, Jimmie Dawkins, Junior Wells, William Clark, Curtis

June 7-9, 1992 The 1985 Festival included performances by the following, among others: John Hammond Jr., Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine, Luther “Guitar Junior”

June 14–16, 1991 In 1991 artists included Magic Slim, R.L. Burnside, Henry Butler, Champion Jack Dupree, Joe Louis Walker, Larry McCray, Betty Everett, Taj Mahal,

June 8-10, 1990 In 1990, from June 8 to 10, the festival lineup included Fenton Robinson, Sunnyland Slim, Billy Branch, Carey Bell, Charlie Musselwhite, Floyd

June 9–11, 1989 In 1989, from June 9 to 11, performers included Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Allan Tousaint, Irma Thomas, Snooks Eaglin and Dr.

June 10-12, 1988 In 1988, from June 10 to 12 performers included a ”Super Chicago Guitar Jam” featuring Otis Rush and Buddy Guy, Son Seals

June 5–7, 1987 In 1987, from June 5 to June 7, the festival expanded to three stages and featured: Buster Benton, Dion Payton, Johnny Guitar

June 7–9, 1986 The 1986 festival included many legendary performances, including Willie Dixon, Albert King, Bo Diddley, Robert Cray, Chuck Berry and a pre-show meeting

June 7–9, 1985 The 1985 Festival, from June 7 to June 9 included performances by the following, among others: John Hammond, Jr., Koko Taylor and