This summer, groups can enjoy the 25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park, 5-8 June, 2008 in the Blues Capital of the World: Chicago. With a yearly attendance of more than half a million people from around the globe, the festival serves as a vanguard for Chicago’s season of outdoor music celebrations.
As the world’s largest free-admission blues festival, the event showcases the city’s most talented blues performers and hosts a star-studded lineup. Since 1984 opening night pays tribute to Muddy Waters, and that tradition continues today with headliners Johnny Winter and 
James Cotton, performing at the Petrillo Music Shell.
The Chicago Blues Festival’s second night will be second to none with headliners Queen of the Blues – Koko Taylor – and her Blues Machine and Eddy “The Chief†Clearwater. The audience will also be treated to a special set honoring the past with performances by Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake and Jackie Ross. Headliners Buckwheat Zydeco and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials on Saturday night are not to be missed.
And, just announced, blues legend B.B. King will head up an all-star line up which includes Little Willie Littlefield, Bobby Parker and Karen Carroll with Charlie Love on the final night of the festival. The festival has grown tremendously throughout its 25 years and now features more than 90 performances on six stages and extended hours of 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
With roots in the work songs and spirituals of African-American slaves and folk hollers, blues first developed in Chicago in the 1920s and has evolved into the famous sound that is synonymous with the city.
For more information on Chicago and Illinois, call the Chicago and Illinois UK Tourist Office’s Brochure Line on +44 (0) 8700 503 410 or visit www.gochicago.com. For more information on the Chicago Blues Festival visit www.chicagobluesfestival.us.
Report by Chitra Mogul
