Billy Branch

New Blues Album 'Back Home' Coming From Wendy and DB

GRAMMY nominated in 2023 for their Chicago homestyle tribute to the blues, Into the Little Blue House, the multicultural, Chicago-based duo Wendy and DB revisits the blues genre with a deep dive into traditional acoustic styles on their sixth family album, Back Home, set for release July 5.

The Blues Foundation Reveals New Board of Directors and Officers

 The Blues Foundation has announced the elections of a new Board of Directors and officers. Scott Fitzke, whose tenure as Chairman of the Board is ending due to term limits, will be succeeded by Terika Dean, who served as Vice Chairman under Fitzke.

Wendy And DB Release INTO THE BLUE HOUSE Out August 19

A Chicago homestyle tribute to the blues, Wendy and DB's fifth album, Into the Little Blue House, is set for release on August 22, 2022. Though rooted in a blues vocabulary, Into the Little Blue House employs an up-to-date expansion to touch the soul of our time.

Chicago Soul/Blues Belter Derrick Procell Dials Up His 'Hello Mojo!' On Debut New Album

Catfood Records announces an August 1 release date for Hello Mojo!, the label debut from Chicago-based soul/blues belter Derrick Procell. 

Anthony Geraci Signs Record Deal With Blue Heart Records

An original member of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Geraci has recorded with both groups, in addition to blues artists and leading contemporary acts. He received a GRAMMY nomination as one of the studio musicians on Super Harps I featuring Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, Billy Branch and Sugar Ray Norcia.

Dave Specter to Release 'Six String Soul, 30 Years on Delmark' Album

The remastered 2-CD set showcases his music journey with a stellar line-up of guests including Otis Clay, Jorma Kaukonen, Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, Jack McDuff, Ronnie Earl and many more.

Delmark Records to release 'Johnny Iguana's Chicago Spectacular' August 21st, w/ Billy Boy Arnold, Lil' Ed, John Primer & More

'Johnny has played with musical monsters— Junior Wells, Carey Bell, Koko Taylor, Hymie Shimansky. Okay, maybe not Hymie, but plenty of topnotch blues and rock musicians. The Claudettes are the culmination of it all, at this point, and he could stop here and have a legacy others would kill for.'

City Winery Chicago Announces Musiq Soulchild, Bobby McFerrin and More

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces neo-soul/R&B innovator Musiq Soulchild, jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin (“Don't Worry, Be Happy”) and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, October 4 at noon.All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Katharine McPhee and More to Perform at City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago has announced that Katharine McPhee will perform on Monday, November 5th. City Winery also announced many other shows, including its annual 10,000 Maniacs Valentine's run. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, September 27 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

City Winery Chicago Announces Special Holiday Show with AMERICAN IDOL Winner Kris Allen

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces a special holiday show with “American Idol” winner Kris Allen and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, September 20 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

City Winery Chicago Announces Randy Bachman, Shemekia Copeland and More

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces Canadian rocker Randy Bachman ('You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet”), a live recording of the hilarious Girls Gotta Eat podcast and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, September 13 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Jane Lynch, James Hunter, & More to Play Chicago's City Winery

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces holiday concerts with award-winning singer, actress, and comedian Jane Lynch ("Glee") and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Full Lineup Announced for 2018 Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park

Experience Chicago's blues music legacy at the 35th Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening June 8-10 in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.). The Blues Festival will spotlight the great Chicago-born music tradition with live performances by the genre's leading artists at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the city's premier outdoor music venue. The previously announced headliners include: Corey Dennison Band; Mississippi Heat with Billy Flynn and Giles Corey; Special Tribute to Bob Koester and the 65th Anniversary of Delmark Records; Selwyn Birchwood; Willie Clayton; Little Walter Tribute; Fantastic Negrito, Kenny Neal and Mavis Staples.

City Winery Chicago Announces Third Heather McDonald, Ryan Bingham, Greg Laswell & More

City Winery Chicago Announces Third Heather McDonald, Ryan Bingham, Greg Laswell & More

Big Head Todd and the Monsters Announce U.S. Tour Dates

Colorado band Big Head Todd and the Monsters are set to tour the U.S. throughout the fall/winter in support of their forthcoming eleventh studio album, New World Arisin', due November 3 on their own Big Records imprint. See below for a complete list of dates.

September Shows at City Winery Announced: Living Colour, Joan Osborne, Art Garfunkel & more

See the newly announced lineup for September at Chicago City Winery below!

Big Head Todd and the Monsters LP 'New World Arisin' out 11/3 on Big Records

Colorado band Big Head Todd and the Monsters are set to release their eleventh studio album, New World Arisin' on November 3 on their Big Records imprint.

Jeff Daniels with the Ben Daniels Band, Rami Kleinstein and More on Sale at City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces father-son duo Jeff Daniels with the Ben Daniels Band, Israeli pop star Rami Kleinstein, "The Voice of Ireland" Tommy Fleming and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Friday, July 7 at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.

Robert Browning Associates presents Chicago Blues Legend & Recent Grammy Nominee LURRIE BELL

Lurrie Bell has been acclaimed for his intense guitar playing and passionate vocals which have made him a favorite at clubs and festivals around the world and earned him a reputation as one of the "leading lights" in the future of the blues.  Son of famed blues harmonica player Carey Bell, he has appeared on over 50 recordings either as leader or featured sideman and received numerous awards and honors, including Best Traditional Male Blues Artist in 2015 by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, and Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) in 2016 by Living Blues magazine. In this program he will be joined by his band and include selections from his acclaimed Delmark albums, Blues in My Soul and the recent Grammy-nominated Can't Shake This Feeling. His band is composed of Willie "The Touch" Hayes (drums), Roosevelt Purifoy (keys), and Melvin Smith (bass).

The Ultimate Harmonica Blowout Stretches the Boundaries

Every time they take the stage at the Harris Center they rock the house, and every time they teach us all something new about the blues. Now in its 26th year, the Blues Harmonica Blowout will push out the esthetic to new realms, putting Corky Siegel (Chamber Blues), Howard Levy (founding member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), Duke Robillard (Roomful of Blues, Fabulous Thunderbirds) Son of Dave (Crash Test Dummies) and Jason Ricci on the same stage at the same time, all joining the show's founder Mark Hummel (Winner of two Blues Music Awards in 2014) and the stellar Blues Survivors.