Chicago Blues Festival Announces Lineup, Features Buddy Guy, Syl Johnson And Tribute Sets

The lineup for the 32^nd Annual Chicago Blues Festival has been announced and aims to commemorate some of the most iconic figures in the history of the Chicago blues.

Taking place June 12-14 in Grant Park, the festival will close with two special collaborative sets highlighting the music of Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters, respectively, and will otherwise feature headlining sets by Buddy Guy and Syl Johnson.

The Willie Dixon tribute set features five members of Dixon’s immediate family that remain in the blues industry, including sons and grandchildren, as well as Cash McCall, Sugar Blue, John Watkins and Andrew Blaze Thomas.

The Muddy Waters tribute features former band members, family and friends of the late artist, including Bob Margolin, Mud Morganfield, Big Bill Morganfield, John Primer, Rick Kreher, Bob Stroger, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, E.G. McDaniel, Paul Oscher, Jerry Portnoy and Barrelhouse Chuck.

In addition to Syl Johnson headlining set on Friday and Buddy Guy on Saturday, the festival will feature Clarence Carter, the Taj Mahal Trio, Zora Young, Toronzo Cannon, Billy Branch and many more artists. The festival also features speeches and lessons from performers.

Admission to the festival is free.

Here is the complete daily lineup:

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

PETRILLO MUSIC SHELL
6 p.m. Zora Young
7:05 p.m. Clarence Carter
8:25 p.m. Syl Johnson

BUD LIGHT CROSSROADS STAGE
11:15 a.m. Quintus McCormick
12:45 p.m. Mary Lane
2:30 p.m. Charlie Love
4:15 p.m. Nellie Tiger Travis

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM & BLUES STAGE
11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion with Richard Shurman - “100 Years of Blues Greatness: Honoring Distinguished Centennials”
1:00 p.m. Scott Albert Johnson
2:30 p.m. Jj Thames
4 p.m. John Primer
5:30 p.m. Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith Jam Session

PEPSI FRONT PORCH STAGE
Noon Blues In The Schools with Stone Academy, Eric Noden, Katherine Davis
1:30 p.m. Studebaker John and the Maxwell Street Kings
3 p.m. Andy T. and Nick Nixon Band
4:30 p.m. Eddie Shaw & The Wolfgang

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

PETRILLO MUSIC SHELL
5:30 p.m. Toronzo Cannon
6:30 p.m. Taj Mahal Trio
8:05 p.m. Buddy Guy

BUD LIGHT CROSSROADS STAGE
“The Next Generation”
11:15 a.m. Jamiah On Fire and the Red Machine
12:45 p.m. Marquise Knox
2:30 p.m. Jarekus Singleton
4:15 p.m. Shawn Holt & The Tear Drops

JACKSON MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM AND BLUES STAGE
11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion - “Essence of Soul Blues: with Alex Thomas and Johnny Rawls
1 p.m. The House Rockers
2:30 p.m. Vickie Baker
4 p.m. Johnny Rawls
5:30 p.m. Jam Session

PEPSI FRONT PORCH STAGE
Noon Austin Walk’n Cane
1:30 p.m. Lurrie Bell
3 p.m. Paul Oscher Trio
4:30 p.m. Cash Box Kings

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

PETRILLO MUSIC SHELL
5 p.m. Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues with special guest Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater
6:20 p.m. Willie Dixon Centennial Tribute featuring Billy Branch, Keshia Dixon, Tomiko Dixon, Bobby Dixon, Freddie Dixon, Alex Dixon, Cash McCall, Sugar Blue, John Watkins and Andrew Blaze Thomas
8:05 p.m. Muddy Water’s Centennial Tribute featuring Bob Margolin, Mud Morganfield, Big Bill Morganfield, John Primer, Rick Kreher, Bob Stroger, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, E.G. McDaniel, Barrelhouse Chuck, Jerry Portnoy and Paul Oscher

BUD LIGHT CROSSROADS STAGE
11:15 a.m. Chick Rodgers
12:45 p.m. Holle Thee Maxwell
2:30 p.m. Blues Shaking the Fields
4:15 p.m. John Nemeth

JACKSON MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM AND BLUES STAGE
11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion- Muddy Waters & Willie Dixon
1 p.m. Tawanna Shaunte
2:30 p.m. Tonya Boyd Cannon
4 p.m. Patrice Moncell
5:30 p.m. Blues Jam Session with Dexter Allen

PEPSI FRONT PORCH STAGE
Celebrating Centennials 1915-2015
Noon Celebrating Centennials of 1915 -2015: Honey Boy Edwards, Brownie McGhee and Johnny Shines, a Round Robin with Bill Sims, Jr., Paul Kaya, and others
1:30 p.m. Paul Kaye Trio
3 p.m. M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio
4:30 p.m. Heritage Blues Orchestra Quartet

In preparation for the festival, watch Buddy Guy perform "Meet Me In Chicago" below.