Story By: Charita Smith | CS3 MEDIA
The 2023 Chicago Blues Festival was held June 8-11, 2023. The four-day festival included 45 Blues performances by more than 250 artists on the Jay Pritzker Stage, Mississippi Juke Joint Stage, and Rosa’s Lounge Stage.
Wayne Baker Brooks kicked off the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival | Photo By: Charlie Smith / CS3 MEDIA
The 2023 Chicago Blues Festival headliners included Los Lobos, Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Mud Morganfield, John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, Jimmy Burns Band, Sugaray Rayford, Jontavious Willis, Vasti Jackson, Eddie Cotton, O.B. Buchana, Super Chikan, and many more.
Bobby Rush performs at the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival | Photo By: Charlie Smith / CS3 MEDIA
Also at the Blues festival, there was a Centennial Tribute to Albert King featuring Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Rico McFarland, Carl Weathersby and Tony Llorens; a Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration, and a “Women in Blues” tribute featuring Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Sugar Pie DeSanto and more.
Blind Boys of Alabama perform at the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival | Photo By: Charlie Smith / CS3 MEDIA
On the Great Lawn at the Blues festival, Praize Productions, Inc. presented a photography installation, “The Rhythm Within Our Blues” featuring life-size photographs depicting the history and authentic culture of Blues music told via the lens of professional photographers of color from Chicago’s South Side. Photographers include Amber Green, Seed Lynn, and Tony Smith. Praize Productions, one of the 2023 Millennium Park Residency companies, adds to the artistic richness and deep appreciation for Blues music and its greats with this exhibition.
Melody Angel performs on the Rosa’s Lounge stage at the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival | Photo: Charlie Smith / CS3 MEDIA
The four-day 2023 Chicago Blues Festival brought out Blues enthusiasts from all over the world. This year’s festival showcased performances by some of the best artists in Blues. It was four days of great weather and great music.
Los Lobos was the final act at the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival | Photo: Charlie Smith / CS3 MEDIA
