Logan Center’s two Mainstage Blues concerts, curated by renowned Chicago Blues harmonicist, vocalist, and bandleader Matthew Skoller, seek to capture the intergenerational nature of the Blues, celebrating the luminaries of yesterday while casting a spotlight on the rising leaders of tomorrow. Explore the Blues Series >>
A meeting of masters featuring Billy Branch & Sons of Blues with Carlos Johnson, the Stephen Hull Experience with Andrew Alli, and Harrell ‘Young Rell’ Davenport! The relationships between harmonica masters and guitar masters is a definitive feature of Blues music, and specifically Chicago Blues, prior to the Golden Age of the Blues through to the present day. This performance celebrates one of the genre’s most iconic relationships by bringing together three generations of harmonica and guitar masters for an unforgettable journey through time.
Purchase Tickets
Single Tickets: $30 General / $10 Students, Seniors (60+), & children 12 & under.
Blues Bundle: $64 General. The Blues Bundle includes Experimental Blues (February & April) events and both Mainstage Blues events.
About the Artists
Three-time Grammy-nominated harmonica master Billy Branch has played on over 300 different recordings including 15 albums under his own name. Billy has recorded with Willie Dixon, Johnny Winter, Keb' Mo, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, John Primer, and Taj Mahal, just to name a few. Billy is considered an ambassador of Chicago Blues, and Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues (SOBs) celebrated their fortieth anniversary by headlining the 2017 Chicago Blues Festival. The Sons of Blues have made over 250 international tours, sharing the cultural legacy of the Blues around the world.
The Stephen Hull Experience gives the blues community exciting evidence that the future of music is in good hands. A native of Racine, WI, Stephen Hull started playing blues at age 14 and never stopped, taking cues from Albert King and B.B. King as he developed his sweet, soulful guitar sound. Balancing that with his absolutely stellar lead vocals and infectiously buoyant personality, Stephen has been rising fast in the blues clubs of Chicago, in venues across southeastern Wisconsin, and in festivals around the world. Facebook.com/StephenHullExperience
Richmond, VA native Andrew Alli took up music relatively later in life at the age of 20. After being inspired by a busker playing harmonica on the street one day, he hit the local music store and bought a harmonica of his own. He very soon fell in love with the blues and began studying all of the harmonica greats including Big Walter Horton, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, and more. He has developed his own unique style of playing, while still paying his respects to his biggest influences from the past. andrewallirva.com
Chicago-native Carlos Johnson is considered one of the preeminent blues guitarists in the world today. A southpaw (left-handed musician who plays a right-handed instrument upside-down like players such as Otis Rush, Albert King, and Jimi Hendrix), he combines the deep, raw blues sound of the traditional Chicago West-side style and jazzy phrasing with a more contemporary, funky sound. His personal and powerful vocals, along with his charismatic stage presence, makes him one of the most exciting performers in Blues. Carlos has emerged as one of the most respected Blues elders in Chicago today.
Jackson, MS native, sixteen-year-old Harrell ‘Young Rell’ Davenport fell in love with the blues at a very young age. Challenged by many struggles at a young age, he started learning guitar and harmonica at the age of 7 to express his anguish, and it became clear that this young blues prodigy would take the world by storm. Rell played his first gig at only twelve years old, followed by writing his first song at thirteen. Influenced by legends such as Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Left Hand Frank, Hubert Sumlin, Al Di Meola, Sonny Boy Williamson l & ll, Billy Branch, Easy Baby, Daddy Stovepipe, Kingfish, Pee-wee Crayton, T-bone Walker, and many more, Young Reel is a versatile musician.