CELEBRATIONS OF THE BLUES AT THE CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL IN 2025 AND 2026
POSTED:: June 3, 2026
FILED UNDER:: Concert Review, Concerts
by Sonia Katchadourian
Last year marked a noticeable change at the Chicago Blues Festival with one major headliner reserved for a concluding performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park on Sunday, Jume 8, the final day of the four-day free event held nowadays during the first weekend of June. Mavis Staples filled that slot in 2025 with an uplifting, soulful performance in her hometown for an enthusiastic, receptive audience.
This year, the fest will be brought to another rousing close on Sunday, June 7 with legendary multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal, who has been infusing various diverse cultural influences in his music for almost 70 years of live performances and in 50 albums, for which he has received multiple awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. Taj will be joined by his energetic Phantom Blues Band, with whom he has a recently released album, entitled Time, his third stellar album in the last few years.
However, the final performance of the weekend will not be the only one that includes a true legend, as Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite will perform together in a duo format on Friday, June 5. Both musicians came to Chicago around the same time in the mid-60’s before migrating to the West Coast, and they will have lots of amusing stories to share about those early days when Little Smokey Smothers mentored Bishop and Big Joe Williams and Little Walter did the same for Musselwhite. It is also expected that they will draw upon selections from their collaboration on the delightful album, 100 Years of Blues (Alligator Records, 2020).
Tributes to historic record labels that made a major contribution to Blues music have also been featured in recent years. In 2025, there was a very special celebration marking the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records, presented by Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, that included Muddy Waters’ son, Mud Morganfield, Chuck Berry’s son and grandson, Charles Berry, Jr. and Charles ‘Charlie’ Berry III, Carey Bell’s son, Steve Bell, grandson of Leonard Chess, trombonist Sam Chess, and many other accomplished musicians whose family members had recorded on the label. In addition, Howlin’ Wolf’s daughters, Betty and Barbara, introduced Louisiana Al, who was influenced by Howlin’s Wolf’s singing style and songs, and who called them back on stage for the ending of “Smokestack Lightnin’.” Included in this celebration was a rare performance of “I Had a Talk with God Last Night,” by Pastor Mitty Collier, who recorded Soul and Gospel songs for Chess Records throughout the 1960’s. Also, bassist Freddie Dixon, Willie Dixon’s son, performed at Rosa’s Lounge stage, where he and the Freddie Dixon Blues Band, will appear again on Friday, June 5.
On the same night, 55 Years of Alligator Records will be celebrated at the Pritzker Pavilion with “house rockin’ music” by Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Toronzo Cannon, Nick Moss, and Tinsley Ellis.
Another major highlight in recent years has been “Women in Blues” tributes. The 2025 tribute was for Denise LaSalle and featured Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mizz Reese. The 2026 tribute will be for Estelle ‘Mama’ Yancy and Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton with Mary Lane, Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, Melody Angel, Lee Kanehira, and Lynn Jordan & The Shivers. It is always inspiring to see and hear a stage full of tremendously talented female performers who can more than hold their own in a primarily male-dominated field.
Other notable sets during the weekend will include “75 years of Billy Branch,” Sue Foley, Ruthie Foster, Marquise Knox, and Bob Stroger. More information about the extensive lineup on multiple stages from June 4 to June 7 is available at: chicagobluesfestival.us
Photo Credits: Sonia Khatchadourian, 2025 Chicago Blues Festival
