MIDWEST BLUES BEAT

by Eric Steiner

SOME HOT SUMMER BLUES (And Some Bad News)

This month, I’m going to recommend some great local blues shows, but before I do, I want to pass along some sad news that hit me squarely in the gut last month. One of my favorite Chicago blues bass players has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Willie Kent, one of the best blues bassists anywhere, began chemotherapy in April. He has courageously continued to be a stalwart fixture of the Blue Chicago blues calendar at both Blue Chicago clubs on Clark Street.

I’ll be brash and bold, because it’s for a great cause: go to www.williekentblues.com and help Willie Kent pay the bills. Match my virtual c-note that I sent to Willie via PayPal on his web site. Buy his records, and come out and support this award-winning bluesman who holds down the Wednesday night spot at 536 North Clark Street and Thursday night spots at both Blue Chicago venues with his group, The Gents, and Patricia Scott.

His illness prevented him from picking up his award for Best Blues Bass at the 26th Annual W.C. Handy Awards in Memphis. I know that I speak for many Midwest BEAT blues fans when I say that I hope to see him next year at the Handys, which is tentatively scheduled for Thursday May 11, 2006 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.

Let’s look to the future for Willie Kent, and remember him not only in your prayers, but send him a donation (and go see him live).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEYBOY!

This month at the Chicago Blues Festival, David “Honeyboy” Edwards will celebrate his 90th birthday. I had the good fortune of meeting him and Earwig Records founder Michael Frank last year at a Blues Foundation benefit in the Pacific Northwest that also featured Louisiana Red and Mitch Woods and His Rockin’ 88s.

On Saturday, June 11th at 10:00 PM, join the party at Hot House at 31 East Balbo in Chicago when Honeyboy will perform with many special guests –– Aron Burton, Liz Mandville Greeson, Aaron Moore, Pinetop Perkins, Johnny Yard Dog Jones, Devil In A Woodpile, Tom Shaka, Paul K, Rocky Lawrence, and others. I hope Michael Frank will bring his harp and play – he’s quite an inspired harp player, too. More information: www.earwigmusic.com

HOT BLUES TICKETS...

Last month, I devoted most of my column to Chicago Breakdown: The 22nd Annual Chicago Blues Festival at Grant Park. This month, I’ll suggest some other venues to get your blues on.

Former Chicago Blues Posse and all-around Southside go-to guitar man Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove’s got a new band, Blues Fever. Taking the blues temperature with Hollywood Johnny are Dennis Stukenberg on harp, Dan Wile on drums, and Mike Bailey on bass.

Blues Fever plays the Old Tinley Pub and Eatery in Tinley Park on June 4th, and next month, they’ll play Fritz’ Saloon in Manhattan on the 23rd. Get Blues Fever online at http://groups.msn.com/bluesfever

June 4th, Ronnie Baker Brooks plays one of my favorite area clubs, Frankie’s Blue Room in Naperville, and he’ll be at the House of Blues on the 8th. Blind Pig recording artists the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings play the Matteson Festival on June 10th, and long-time friend of Midwest BEAT Jim Peterik and The Ides of March will play the festival on the 11th.

The always entertaining Duke Tumatoe will bring his Power Trio to jam the blues on June 30 at the Hobart Jaycee Fest

Lefty Collins & The No Mercy Band, fresh from their show at BB King’s Blues Club in New York, will play around the region this month, and you can catch these rockers at Magilla’s in Worth on the 12th, Frenzel’s Tavern in Chicago Ridge on the 17th, or Leroy’s Hot Stuff in Porter on the 24th.

Susan Tedeschi returns to the Midwest this month with The Blind Boys of Alabama at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park on the 15th, followed by solo shows in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin on the 17th, and the Indianapolis Jazz Festival on the 18th.

On June 25th, Bernard Allison will showcase his new Ruf Records release, Higher Power, at Buddy Guy’s Legends.

While Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine is not a blues band, they are one of my favorite musical discoveries over the past few years. Experience Over the Rhine at Schuba’s on the 25th and 26th.

OTHER GREAT FESTIVALS...

The 25th Annual Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park from June 24-July 4, 2005, and this year’s line-up features: Santana, Dr. John, Steve Winwood, John Hiatt, the North Mississippi All-Stars, and Debbie Seitz.

The Western ‘burbs will be rocking to Ted Nugent, Umphrey’s McGee, Wishbone Ash, and Local H at Naperville’s Ribfest on Independence Day weekend.

June promises to be a great month for the blues in the Midwest, and ‘til next month, let’s play the blues.

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