Line Up
11:55am – 12:55pm
1:10pm – 2:10pm
2:25pm – 3:25pm
3:40pm – 4:40pm
4:55pm – 6:05pm
6:20pm – 7:35pm
and Between Acts
Johnny Rawls
John Nemeth
Anthony Gomes
Trampled Underfoot
Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang
Shemekia Copeland
Doug Deming, Dennis Gruenling and the Jewel tones
Although only in her 30′s, Shemekia Copeland is already a force to be reckoned with. Copeland’s passion for singing, matched with her huge, blast-furnace voice, gives her music a timeless power and a heart-pounding urgency. She’s opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival, scored critics’ choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic (The New York Times and The Times of London), shared the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, and Eric Clapton, and has even performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Heir to the rich tradition of such soul-drenched divas as Ruth Brown, Etta James and Koko Taylor, the singer was presented with Taylor’s crown at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival and was crowned the new “Queen of the Blues” by the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. website
Saxophonist Eddie Shaw has been at the heart of the Chicago music scene since 1957. Shaw’s musical resume includes work with such luminaries as Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker and Otis Rush, as well as arranging tracks for the London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions (which featured Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Ringo Starr and others). Shaw’s greatest claim to fame is the 17 years he spent with the immortal Howlin’ Wolf. When Wolf died in 1976, Shaw kept the “Wolfgang” together as a tribute to the departed leader. The current version of the band includes Lafayette “Shorty” Gilbert on bass (25 years with Shaw) and Eddie’s son, Vaan, considered to be one of the best guitarists on the blues circuit today. website
Musical siblings Danielle, Kris and Nick Schnebelen spring from the rich Kansas City jazz and blues scene and their band, Trampled Under Foot, has quickly become one of the most talked about bands on the blues scene today. Winners of the coveted International Blues Challenge in 2008, the trio has been on the road ever since, thrilling and growing their rabid fan base. Their 2011 CD, “Wrong Side of the Blues,” was hailed by critics as a “powerful and electric blues tour de force.” The Schnebelens are on their way to joining the Allmans, Dickinsons, Brookses and Neals in the ranks of great blues family dynasties. website
Hailed for his “blistering guitar licks and vocals that slice like a whiskey-soaked machete,” Canadian-born guitarist, singer, and songwriter Anthony Gomes is a critically acclaimed, chart-topping artist who plays a style of modern electric blues that incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, and country. Gomes has won numerous awards and performed with the likes of BB King, Robert Plant, the Doobie Brothers, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Chuck Berry, and George Thorogood. Gomes’ latest recording, “Up 2 Zero,” marks the musician’s full-circle return to high-energy, guitar-driven blues rock and has been named by A1Blues.com as the “best overall CD of the year.” website
Rising blues star John Nemeth is a singer steeped in the tradition of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. Critics have declared him “hands down the toughest young harp player ever heard,” and his voice “a national treasure.” In the past 10 years, he’s opened for the likes of Robert Cray, Keb Mo’, and Earl Thomas, and has garnered critical acclaim at major music festivals around the world. website
Mississippi soul-blues man Johnny Rawls has been wowing crowds with his smoldering vocals and guitar style for more than 30 years. Rawls has done it all throughout his long career, including producing, songwriting, horn arranging, rhythm, lead and bass guitar, keyboard, vocals and background vocals. He was named Best Male Soul Blues Artist by the Blues Foundation and was honored with a Blues Trail Marker on the original site of Mississippi’s legendary Hi Hat Club, sharing that plaque with blues luminaries Tyrone Davis and Little Milton. website
Young by blues standards, but with a breadth of live studio and life experience under his belt, Albert Castiglia is set to become a major force on the blues and blues-rock scene. Castiglia left his day job at a Miami welfare office in the 90′s after being discovered and taken under the wing of legendary harmonica player Junior Wells. Castiglia returned to South Florida in 2002 where his soulful growl, stage-scorching guitar solos and unique brand of Delta-blues-inspired rock have earned him steady gigs throughout South Florida and beyond. While Castiglia’s solo career and recordings are packed with nods to his mentor Wells, his sixth and latest CD, “Living the Dream,” is a collection of covers and original songs that take a more introspective look at his blues roots, with references to oil companies, Wall Street bankers and his dealings with the music industry at large. website
Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones
with Dennis Gruenling
Traditional blues, West Coast and Texas Swing, early rock, country and roots music; Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones run the gamut and bring it all together while consistently delivering originality. Deming’s swinging jump blues style has earned him great respect in the blues world where he has backed such notables as Chicago Pete, Black Tops Johnnie Dyer and the legendary Lazy Lester. Deming is joined by award-winning blues harmonica player Dennis Gruenling, hailed as “one of the baddest, swingingest, most innovative harmonica blowers on the planet.” doug deming website dennis gruenling website
