Chicago Blues Fest salutes Otis Rush, Alligator Records

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CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blues Festival will include a celebration of the city's independent blues record label, Alligator Records, and a tribute to guitarist Otis Rush.

The city announced the lineup Tuesday. The free festival runs June 10 through 12 in Grant Park.

Shemekia Copeland and Curtis Salgado perform on the opening night in a salute to Alligator Records, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

The second night's headline concert will be jazz and funk trombonist Fred Wesley and the New JBs. An all-star tribute to Otis Rush closes out the festival on the third night.

The festival includes daytime stages hosting local and national musicians. In May and June there will be preview performances and film screenings at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and parks and libraries throughout the city.

33rd Annual Chicago Blues Festival Schedule

Friday, June 10

Petrillo Music Shell - Alligator Records 45th Anniversary

6pm - Tommy Castro & The Painkillers with guest appearance by Toronzo Cannon
7pm - Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials with guest appearance by Corky Siegel
8:15pm - Shemekia Copeland and special guest Curtis Salgado

Bud Light Crossroads - Alligator Records Day

11:15am - Peaches Staten
12:45pm - Maurice John Vaughn
2:30pm - Moreland & Arbuckle
4:15pm - Curtis Salgado

Jackson Mississippi Rhythm and Blues Stage

11:30am - Panel Discussion on Alligator Records 45th Anniversary
1pm - Sherman Lee Dillon
2:30pm - Pat Brown
4pm - Eddie Shaw & The Wolfgang
5:30pm - Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith Jam Session

Pepsi Front Porch

12 Noon - Blues In The Schools with Stone Academy, Eric Noden, Katherine Davis
1:30pm - Fruteland Jackson
3pm - The Omar Coleman Band
4:30pm - Legends of Blues with Sam Lay, Corky Siegel & Marcella Detroit

Saturday, June 11

Petrillo Music Shell - Soul/R&B Night

5:30pm - Wee Willie Walker & We “R”
6:30pm - Irma Thomas
8:05pm - Fred Wesley & The New JB’s

Bud Light Crossroads - Soul/ R&B Day

11:15am - Cicero Blake
12:45pm - Theo Huff
2:30pm - Nora Jean
4:15pm - Otis Clay Tribute Band

Jackson Mississippi Rhythm and Blues Stage

11:30am - Panel Discussion Artist Spotlight: Eddie Cotton, 2015 International Blues Challenge Winner, moderated by Alex Thomas
1pm - Southern Komfort Brass Band
2:30pm - Teeny Tucker
4pm - Eddie Cotton
5:30pm - Jam Session with Southern Komfort Brass Band

Pepsi Front Porch

12 Noon - Fernando Jones International Band with A-Z Blues (Italy)
1:30pm - Barrelhouse Chuck Blues Trio featuring Billy Flynn & West Side Andy
3pm - Lazy Lester featuring Rockin’ Johnny
4:30pm - Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings

Sunday, June 12

Petrillo Music Shell - Tribute to Otis Rush

5pm - Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
6:30pm - Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater
8pm - Otis Rush Tribute featuring Jimmy Johnson, Abb Locke, Brian Jones, Carl Weathersby, Bob Stroger, Sumito Ariyoshi, Big Ray, Eddy Clearwater, John Kattke, Mike Welch, Rawl Hardman, Harlan Terson, Bob Levis, Billy Flynn, Mike Wheeler, Lurrie Bell, Shun Kikuta, Mike Ledbetter, Eddie Shaw, Sam Burton, Willie Henderson, Diane Blue, Ronnie Earl, Marty Sammon & Anthony Palmer, Kenny Anderson, Leon Allen, Henry Ford & Willie Woods

Bud Light Crossroads

11:15am - Charlie Love
12:45pm - James “Super Chikan” Johnson
2:30pm - Kinsey Report
4:15pm - Diunna Greenleaf

Jackson Mississippi Rhythm and Blues Stage

11:30am - Panel Discussion on the “Great Migration” with Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Eddie Shaw, John Primer, facilitated by Alex Thomas
1pm - Ben Payton
2:30pm - Adib Sabir
4pm - Nellie “Tiger” Travis
5:30pm - Jam Session with Adib Sabir

Pepsi Front Porch