Chicago Blues Fest 2020

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 blues fest would have happened. Using Rosa’s Lounge, a northwest side blues establishment, the city contracted with six artists who would have played at the festival, had it happened. They assembled a small crew, all wearing masks and social distancing, (Tony from Rosa’s on sound and two camera operators- Paul Natkin and Ed Marshall) and asked all the artists to do a 45 minute set. Some were stripped down- some were full band. After editing, they were played on three consecutive days- two artists to a day. They can be seen here:

Ivy Ford and Toronzo Cannon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SI9XSMjMoM

John Primer and Melody Angel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vphZrhiDNcs&t=4714s

Mike Wheeler and Guy King:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrcZQnXqmoc&t=53s

 

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