Omar Coleman as a rising star with iron-clad longevity in the national blues scene. Hailing from the West Side of Chicago, Coleman grew up entrenched in soul music and black music that defined the era in the mid-90s. Working as a barber by trade, Coleman recalls being bored at his shop on Michigan & Adams in Downtown Chicago and sauntering to the music shop down the street to pick up an instrument to pass the time. He landed on the harmonica thinking it would be easy to learn quickly and would fiddle around on it between cutting hair and usurping the shoeshine guy’s chair when he went to shine shoes in the back. With many clients being musicians, Coleman would learn about Chicago being heralded as ‘Home of the Blues’ and was tipped off to legends such as Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, and more. Another world opened up.

MATTHEW SKOLLER is one of Chicago’s most respected harmonica players and Blues bandleaders. For the past 36 years he has played all of Chicago’s heaviest showcase venues and toured much of the world with his super tight ensembles. Deeply rooted in the tradition of the Chicago blues elders with whom he worked and studied, Skoller has developed a unique style that conjures the past while being firmly planted in the present. His songs explore many of the issues and realities of life during this age of technology, information and horrific upheaval. Skoller, known for his fiery and engaging performances, combines passionate harp playing and singing with original song writing and prodigious production skills.

Martin Lang is one of the world’s finest amplified Blues harp players. His musical vision is carrying on the tradition of Chicago Blues harp. Audiences worldwide have heard his harp as he’s backed legendary Bluesmen from Tail Dragger and Willie Buck to Willie Smith, Dave Myers, Little Arthur, John Primer and more. Lang most recently released Mr. Blues Mr. Blues, his fourth album on NYC-based Random Chance Records. His “Bad Man Blues Band” takes its name from his third album Bad Man. Lang brings over 20 years of experience performing harp with legendary Chicago Bluesmen: soaking up the true Chicago Blues sound from the men who defined it.  Lang has performed at the Delta Fish Market, at Chicago Blues Festival numerous times, the Chicago Cultural Center, European tours, stages around Chicago and the nation, and at public and private events.  

His recent albums show his evolution as a singer. Lang’s latest album Mr. Blues Mr. Blues is out now! 

Tom Holland & the Shuffle Kings have been playing the blues worldwide for over 25 years, regularly appearing at clubs and festivals worldwide. Years on the road with blues legends such as John Primer, Eddy Clearwater, and most recently James Cotton have made Tom Holland one of the most in demand blues artists on the scene today!

When you look at Joey J. Saye, you see a promising, young musician with his entire life ahead of him. When you hear him, his sound and his musicianship far surpass his age. The way he attacks the strings with finesse embodies the roots of blues as if he was around when the Blues were born.

Joey grew up just west of Chicago and music has been a part of his DNA since he was child; living in a household that provided him with a multitude of music genres and styles. Hearing his grandmother break out in song at any given moment helped him to appreciate music and its art of bringing people together, soothing the soul.

Even though he was introduced to the blues community at 16, he first heard the haunting melodies and guitar licks at 13 years of age when he was already dabbling in music and creating songs with his friends. But hearing Muddy Waters and Memphis Minnie’s music ignited his passion for the blues and he traded in his athletic gear for his guitar. And we are so glad he did.

Joey is making a name for himself throughout Chicagoland and all over the US, he is being recognized abroad, becoming an international artist with audiences embracing him with open arms.

His love of blues is infectious, and he shows the audience that the blues are alive and well and will still live on for years to come.

Kenny Smith is one of today’s top greatest blues drummers. he is an honored Grammy award-winning drummer, The son of the legendary Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith.

Andrew Diehl grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, picked up the harmonica when he was nine, and spent his teens wearing the grooves out of Little Walter records. After moving north to Chicago at seventeen, Diehl fell in love with the guitar, and it hasn’t left his hands since.

Working as both a bandleader and sideman, Andrew has performed throughout the Midwest with blues greats Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Eddie Taylor Jr, Lurrie Bell, Kenny Smith, Aron Burton, Rob Stone, Rick Kreher, Joe Nosek (Cash Box Kings), Gerry Hundt, Beau Sample, Morry Sochat (Special 20s), Renaldo Domino (The Heavy Sounds), Illinois Slim, Johnny Burgin, The Del Moroccos, Jason Moynihan, Jim Belushi, and many more.

Diehl has taught harmonica and guitar at Maywood Fine Arts, Rock House, Twelve Tone Music, School of Rock, and Augusta Heritage Festival’s Blues Week.

Miss Lee was born and raised in Tagawa city, Fukuoka Prefecture, South Japan. She started to play classical piano in childhood. After graduating from a music college, she met the blues. Since then she taught herself and consistently playing the blues piano.

In 2004, she started to play with local blues bands as well as the musicians who are visiting her hometown on tour.

She is visiting Chicago every summer since 2008 and playing with great musicians, such as Kenny”Beedy Eyes”Smith, Billy Flynn, The Cash Box Kings etc.

Lately, she moved to Kanto area, and is playing many clubs in Tokyo with professional bluesmen including Takashi “Hotoke” Nagai, Kotez, Hitoshi Koide and Shun Kikuta.

Her first leader album “THE UNION MEETIN’” was recorded with great musicians in Chicago and released in July 2014. In 2016, She made 45 rpm single record  “THESE BLUES KEEP DOGGIN’ ME/ BLUES IS EVERYWHERE” with Billy Flynn(g). The latest album “LEE’S BOOGIE”, which was focused on her solo piano playing, was released on 25 Nov, 2017.

She is also playing on album of many blues musicians, such as the blues.the-butcher-590213, Shun Kikuta & Blues Company, Shoji Naito and The Cash Box Kings, etc.

Miss Lee became the 2018 Chicago Blues Piano Contest winner. She is a lady blues pianist who is dedicated to playing old school Chicago blues, a rare kind in these days.

Her main influences are: Leroy Carr, Big Maceo, Otis Spann, Memphis Slim, Pinetop Perkins and Barrelhouse Chuck

Playing locally and internationally since 1988, it is safe to say, Mike Scharf is a veteran of the Chicago Blues scene.

Mike has backed many of the premier talents in blues. He has recorded or shared the stage with artists such as Lefty Dizz, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sam Lay, Barkin Bill, John Edelmann, Tom Holland, Son Seals, Pinetop Perkins, Jools Holland, Mississippi Heat, Lynwood Slim, Johnny Sansone, Morry Sochat, Mud Morganfield, Mark Wydra, Keith Scott, Dave Weld, The Big Swing, Hubert Sumlin, Shawn Pittman, Johnny Adams, Dave Specter, John Primer, Nick Moss, Bill Lupkin, Jon McDonald, Rick Kreher, Little Mike and the Tornadoes, Studebaker John, Rockin Johnny and other Chicago Blues artists.

In addition to performing at top blues venues throughout the US, Mike regularly tours the globe; playing music in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, and India

Mike Has recorded for Blues Boulevard, Delmark, Johann’s Face and Parsiful Records