Samantha Fish led Cedric Burnside and Jon Spencer through a shape-shifting night of Delta grooves, punk-blues swagger, and collaborative fireworks at Chicago’s House of Blues.
Author: Robin Zimmerman
Robin Zimmerman
Robin Zimmerman is a Chicago-based writer who covers live music for American Blues Scene. She brings thoughtful context and careful attention to detail to each performance she documents. She is usually collaborating with ABS photographer Michael Lepek, forming a strong team that captures both the sound and spirit of Chicago’s live music scene.
Stormy night? No problem. Reverend Peyton & his Big Damn Band fired up Garcia’s with hot riffs, fierce washboard, and one big damn blues sound.
Through headstones and family connections, Steve Salter’s Killer Blues Headstone Project preserves the legacies of dearly departed blues musicians.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brought his ‘Hard Road’ Tour to Chicago’s Park West with opener Buffalo Nichols. He introduced tracks from his new album and performed fan favorites like “662” and “Outside of This Town” while moving through the audience and passing out guitar picks.
Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band brought a night of peace, love, and classic hits to the sold-out Chicago Theatre, with fans singing along to every song while multi-generational musicians like Steve Lukather, Hamish Stuart, and Colin Hay shined alongside the legendary drummer and singer.
Southern Avenue played a rare small-venue show at Garcia’s in Chicago, offering a set shaped by personal stories, tight arrangements, and longtime chemistry. This review and photo gallery captures the energy of the night and the crowd that gathered to take it in.
American Blues Scene brings you a massive exclusive gallery and full recap of the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival—from the Ramova Theater kickoff to Kingfish’s electrifying Saturday-night finale.
With everything from the movie Sinners to the recent release of John Primer’s Grown in Mississippi, which was recorded at Gary Vincent’s Clarksdale Soundstage, the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi has been getting a lot of press lately. But the biggest thing to come out of Clarksdale in the past 22 years, is their annual Juke Joint Festival, which is held every April. It’s been described as “half blues fest, half county fair, and all about the Delta.” No matter how it’s spun, this one-of-a-kind festival is like no other. And if you look beyond the county-fair fun and slew of…
Their undeniable chemistry was on full display as they exchanged scorching guitar solos and took turns on vocals. Drawing from their impressive backgrounds in Phil Lesh and Friends and collaborations with artists such as John Hiatt and Beyonce, Simo and Dickinson highlighted their extraordinary skills, further elevated by Abarashoff’s intricate drumming.
Corritore continues to honor his Chicago roots and the sacred traditions of the blues, with a relentless passion for preserving its history and fostering collaborations. His mission is clear: “It’s hard to understand the character of the blues, without knowing some of the characters of the blues.”
With 30 albums and countless musical memories, his dedication to the blues legacy and community remains as strong as ever.