Contrary to popular stereotype, the blues never had a pristine original state–even the earliest recordings document a wide variety of styles. So-called Delta blues paired hoarse imprecations with aggressive acoustic strumming and picking, Piedmont blues combined gentler vocals with the complex textures of ragtime-influenced fingerpicking, and the vaudeville-tinged “classic” blues of singers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey often used a piano or full jazz orchestra for accompaniment. From the beginning, these styles influenced one another–and younger artists updated them with their own ideas, often borrowing from the pop and jazz of the day.
As usual, the Petrillo Music Shell showcases national acts and top-tier locals. The Juke Joint, which emphasizes relatively intimate presentations, has been moved to Columbus and Van Buren (and renamed the Mississippi Juke Joint), and the new Louisiana Bayou Station & Social Club is on Columbus between Jackson and Monroe. The Crossroads, at Jackson and Lake Shore, concentrates on electric blues, while the Front Porch, on the grass south of Jackson and west of Columbus, focuses on acoustic and traditional styles. The Route 66 Roadhouse, which hosts panels and workshops, is at Jackson and Columbus. All events are free. DW
Blues in the Schools Roundup
Mississippi Juke Joint
Super Chikan
5 PM
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The traditional Front Porch kickoff features a performance from a group of Chicago schoolkids who’ve been taught under the auspices of the city’s Blues in the Schools program, in this case at the Stone Academy and at Drummond and Reavis elementaries. The program instructors participating are boogie-woogie pianist Erwin Helfer, vocalist Katherine Davis, and multi-instrumentalist Eric Noden. DW
