Story By: Charita Smith | CS3 MEDIA Photos By: Charlie Smith | CS3 MEDIA
The 2025 Chicago Blues Festival kicked off on Thursday at the Ramova Theatre. Opening night started with a living blues panel discussion and interview with Bobby Rush. Later, Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues and Bobby Rush performed some of their greatest hits.
Friday, June 6, 2025 was proclaimed B.B. King Day in the City of Chicago by Mayor Brandon Johnson. As a tribute to B.B. King, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, D.K. Harrell, and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band performed renditions of B.B. King songs. The performances electrified the crowd; it was an amazing evening.
Lady Adrena and LA Band, Vick Allen, Johnny Rawls, and Eddie Cotton performed on the Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage. They entertained the audience with that authentic Mississippi blues sound. Rico McFarland, Sheryl Young Blood, and Ivan Singh performed on the Rosa’s Lounge Stage.
The City of Chicago proclaimed Saturday, June 7, 2025 as Denise LaSalle Day. Women in Blues paid tribute to Denise LaSalle. Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace, and Mzz Reese performs some of Denise LaSalle’s greatest hits. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram closed the evening out with an exhilarating performance.
Even though there was a slight rain delay on Sunday, the festival continued as the Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Chess Records. Mud Morganfield, Mitty Collier, Charles Berry, Jr., Charles Berry III, Melvin Taylor, and many others performed a litany of songs produced by Chess Records.
The legendary Mavis Staples closed out the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival. Her iconic voice reverberated throughout Millennium Park as she sang many hit songs and fan favorites.
