Billy Branch Stories

Festival Watch | The All-Inn Festival On Halsted’s Music Mile

The All-Inn Festival October 19-20You Need To KnowThe All-Inn Fest takes place over two nights in October to celebrate the Halsted Street Music Mile featuring shows at aliveOne, Wild Hare, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S., Tonic Room, and The Store. The shows are free with wristbands available at aliveOne, The Store and...

PHOTOS / RECAP | The 2017 Chicago Blues Festival

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Michael LepekFrom the new Muddy Waters mural on State Street to inspired appearances by second-generation performers, the Windy Citys vibrant blues legacy was on full display at the 33rd Annual Chicago Blues Festival.2017 marked the inaugural year at the Millennium Park location. But, as blues fans made their way around the...

"Chicago Plays The Stones" Compilation To Feature Local Blues Legends

A new compilation album titled Chicago Plays The Stones aims to honor The Rolling Stones catalog utilizing the style and performers of the Chicago blues.Created by Chicago Blues Experience and released in correlation with the Navy Pier exhibit dedicated to the Stones, Exhibitionism, the 12-song compilation features multiple of generations of Chicago blues artists,...

PHOTOS | Shemekia Copeland's Holiday Show @ City Winery 12/18/16

By: Howard GreenblattShemekia Copeland brought her powerhouse voice from the outskirts of love to City Winery Chicago for two shows on Sunday.Although she is expecting a bundle of joy next month, she was still hittin it two hours in to the second performance.Shemekia was joined on stage by big brother Ronnie Baker...

Photo Gallery | Big Head Blues Club Transforms Arcada Theatre

By: Howard GreenblattWillie Dixon smiled down on the Big Head Blues Club from the show stage as he surely does from Blues Heaven.In tribute to Willies music, Todd Mohr (aka Big Head Todd), assembled some of Chicagos finest bluesmen: Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks, along with Blues belting Erica Brown to...

Photos | Billy Branch Brings 'Blues In Schools' Program to DuSable Museum

Chicago blues artist Billy Branch has been presenting Blues In The Schools for almost 40 years.The goals of this interactive program include providing students the opportunity to:*Develop collaboration & teamwork skills*Cultivate multi-cultural appreciation*Enhancetheir creative expression*Practicetheir writing skills*Broadentheir horizons*Explore theirmusical interests & aptitudes*Interactwith world class musicians*Increase their understanding...