For Real: Buddy Guy Prepares to Play His Last January Set at Original Legends

The schedule is set for Buddy Guy to play his final January set of shows at the original Legends club. But don't worry - Legends is not going away, as the media have reported previously. The club will be moving up the block sometime next year to a newly-remodeled location.

The concert dates for Buddy will be as follows:
Thursday, Jan. 7 - Sunday, Jan. 10
Thursday, Jan. 14 - Sunday, Jan. 17 Thursday, Jan. 21 - Sunday, Jan. 24
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Saturday, Jan 30.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. Central through Etix. Price is $40.

The opening bands have not been announced yet, but in past years they've been excellent.

Grana Louise Wins Chicago Blues Challenge

Grana Louise has won the Chicago Blues Challenge on Nov. 15 and will represent the Windy City Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in January. Congratulations to Grana and well done to all bands that competed! And kudos to the Windy City Blues Society for making this happen!

Blues Fans: As Noisy as You Wanna Be

Applause? Boorish? Not with the blues!

The Chicago Tribune's classical music critic, John van Rhein, complained that a "boorish minority of listeners" disrupted the mood of a Brahms piece by concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra recently with "premature applause." (Isn't there a pill for that?)

Horrors! Unwanted clapping!

Some comments and letters to the editor that followed suggested that perhaps concert-goers should be educated as to the proper decorum at a symphony concert. I have a better idea: come on out to a blues show, where you can clap, shout, tap, stomp, sway, whistle, moan, cheer, exclaim, sing, whoop, grunt and throw your hands in the air if the feeling moves you.

In fact, if you're sitting still and quietly listening to the blues, then you're not getting it.

Is This the End of Bill's Blues Bar?

Bill's Blues Bar in Evanston is closed following the suspension of its liquor license for non-payment of state liquor fees.

The Daily Northwestern reported owner Bill Gilmore was going to try to raise the $50,000 he owes by having a fundraiser at the bar. However, that did not happen.

Whether Bill's will remain closed is unclear. In a previous story, Gilmore stated the bar is "not yet closed forever." That was before any fundraising effort failed to materialize, however.

The recession has taken its toll on many entertainment establishments, but even without economic woes, a blues club isn't an easy venture, especially in the suburbs where tourists rarely go. And, Bill's Blues was in a college town, a short distance from Northwestern University. College students don't usually comprise the main audience for blues music. Perhaps mindful of that, Gilmore offered not just blues, but a varied fare of entertainment including karaoke, stepping and hip-hop. Still, Saturday nights were reserved for blues bands, and the Tuesday blues jam was popular. If the club stays closed, it will be missed.

Honeyboy Edwards & Toronzo Cannon to Headline Blues Bowl 2009

Two generations of the Chicago blues will entertain at a fundraiser for the non-profit blues documentary, Bluesified.

"Living Legend" David "Honey" Boy Edwards and "Rising Star" Toronzo Cannon will perform at the Blues Bowl, held Saturday, Nov. 21 at The Alley in Highwood, Ill. The evening will also include auctions and viewing of clips from Bluesified.

Tickets come in two packages. A percentage of proceeds will also go to the Blues Foundation.

Mark Your Calendar: WCBS Blues Challenge Finals Nov. 15

Three solo/duo acts and seven bands will compete for the honor of representing the Windy City Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next January.

Yes, seven bands! The competition has been so close that four wild cards qualified to challenge the winners of three preliminary rounds. Here's the lineup:

Alex Wilson, Round 1 Winner
Toronzo Cannon, Round 2 Winner
Grana Louise, Round 4 Winner
Linsey Alexander, wild card
Rockin' Johnny, wild card
Chainsaw Dupont, wild card
David Herrero, wild card

Competing for the solo/duo category will be Matt Hendricks, Round 3 winner; Diamond Jim Greene, wild card; and Nigel Mack, wild card. Will Jacobs and Dirty Deal has been selected as the youth band.

The music will start at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 at Buddy Guy's Legends.

Here's the cool thing about Chicago: no matter which band wins, the WCBS will not be sending amateur musicians to compete in the IBC. All these bands are seasoned professionals who play regularly in major blues clubs and have recorded CDs. Will this give Chicago an advantage at the IBC? We'll see.

Until then, the Chicago Blues Challenge Finals will pack a whole lot of talent and good blues into one night on Nov. 15. Don't miss it.

Billy Branch with guest Zora Young Saturday in Park Forest

Here's a treat for you South Siders like me: Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues will perform this Saturday, Nov. 7 at Freedom Hall, Nathan Manilow Theatre, in Park Forest.

Zora Young will make a guest appearance. The music will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25.

Prior to the concert, Billy will hold a blues harmonica workshop for all ages and skill levels. The workshop begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $23.

You can purchase tickets through Freedom Hall's website.

Buddy Guy Checks Out Construction of His New Club

As I've reported previously, Buddy Guy's Legends will soon be moving to a new location not far from the present club at 754 S. Wabash. Recently Buddy Guy donned a hardhat (personalized, of course) and toured the space, now being refurbished. You can see photos of Buddy and the progress in construction at the club's website or Facebook page.

By the way, for those of you in the Chicago area, Buddy Guy will perform this Saturday, Nov. 8, along with the Dave Mason band, at Waukegan's Genesee Theatre. Tickets range from $39.50 to $75 and can be purchased from Ticketmaster or by calling (800) 982-2787.