It’s never difficult to see live blues in Chicago, and during the Blues Festival it’s even easier—the city’s blues clubs pull out the stops all weekend, and even venues that don’t specialize in the blues get in on the action.
Two veterans who haven’t gigged Chicago for a while return during the festival: Eddy “the Chief” Clearwater, an early Chuck Berry fan who was among the first bluesmen of his generation to graft rock ’n’ roll onto the postwar Chicago style, plays at Buddy Guy’s Legends on Friday. And Eddie Shaw, former saxophonist and bandleader for Howlin’ Wolf, makes a rare appearance at the Kingston Mines on Friday and Saturday.
Eddy “the Chief” Clearwater, Nick Moss, Steepwater Band6 PM, Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S. Wabash, $20
Saturday, June 10
Shorty Mack3-7 PM, Lemelle’s Luxury Lounge, 1801 W. 87th, 773-614-8677, free
Sydney Joe Qualls & New Orleans Beau8 PM, Odyssey East, 9942 S. Torrence, 773-530-7543, free
