Who Are Some Modern Chicago Blues Musicians?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Introduction: Chicago Blues Today

Chicago blues, the current version of Chicago’s popular electric blues sound, is a testament to the music’s adaptability and relevance. Musicians today blend the traditional with the new, ensuring that the music stays alive and kicking.

Modern Chicago blues is based in the amplified, electric post-war sound first developed in Chicago. Guitar, harmonica, and vocals remain the key elements of the music.

Today’s artists are not just playing Chicago blues, they are keeping the style true to its Chicago roots. Their dedication to the deep grooves and soulful sound is a testament to the enduring power of this music.

At the same time, musicians are expanding the style to include new influences. Rock, soul, funk, and even hip-hop can be heard in modern Chicago blues.

The result is an updated and current version of the timeless Chicago blues sound. One that continues to gain new fans, and influence new musicians.

In this post, we are spotlighting some of the best Chicago blues artists today. These are the musicians who, through their dedication and talent, are not just keeping the city’s rich blues history alive, but also evolving

The Legacy of Chicago Blues

The Chicago blues, a resilient style of music, has left an indelible mark on the music world. Born from the creativity and resilience of Southern Black musicians during the Great Migration, the Chicago blues sound, with its electrified, gritty sound, has birthed many legendary artists.

Blues music found a new home in Chicago, brought by the southern migrants who flocked to the city. There, it was amplified with electric guitars, bass, and harmonicas, developing a heavy, driving sound that perfectly mirrored the harshness of urban life. 

Muddy Waters, with his growling voice and confident performance style, popularized the electrified Chicago blues. 

You can read more about Muddy Waters here

Howlin’ Wolf, known for his howling voice and raw, emotional power, and Willie Dixon, a prolific songwriter and bass player, further enriched the genre. 

You can read more about Howlin’ Wolf here


Buddy Guy’s intense guitar playing and showmanship added another layer to the Chicago blues.

You can read more about Buddy Guy here

This music, born from struggle, captured the essence of the city and its people.

The legacy of Chicago blues resonates in the present day. Artists like Toronzo Cannon and Melody Angel are keeping the tradition alive, infusing classic blues songs with their unique interpretations. 

They continue to wield the electric guitar, harmonica, and powerful vocals that define Chicago blues. 

The city’s blues scene remains vibrant, with clubs and festivals attracting visitors from all corners of the globe. 

While the sound may have evolved, the boldness, expressiveness, and distinctly Chicago spirit of the blues endure. 

What began as a form of expression for those navigating city life continues to be a potent and honest form of music that ties us to our past.

Lil’ Ed Williams and the Blues Imperials

Lil’ Ed Williams is a contemporary keeper of the Chicago blues flame. He is renowned for his gritty slide guitar, heavy rhythms, and wild showmanship.

Chicago is not just a city to Lil’ Ed Williams, it’s his musical home. Born and raised in the heart of the blues, he learned to play guitar from his uncle J.B. Hutto, a notable Chicago slide guitarist.

Williams soaked up the city’s blues music at an early age. For decades, he honed his style at low-key clubs and bars on Chicago’s West Side.

In the 1980s, he formed Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials. They reignited the hard-edged, electrified blues style that once ruled the city in the 1950s.

His playing is a living tribute to the legends who came before him, Muddy Waters and his uncle Hutto. It is fast-paced, full of stinging licks, wailing vocals, and deeply felt emotion. It bristles with dirt, swagger, and joyful abandon.

Lil’ Ed often uses a slide, playing screaming solos and jump boogies that harken back to Chicago’s golden age of blues. His sound is a bridge between the traditional and the contemporary, never stodgy or outdated.

Lil’ Ed Williams is a fierce torchbearer of Chicago blues, not just a nostalgia act. With each performance, he breathes new life into the music and shares it with younger generations. He shows the city’s blues legacy still roars.

Toronzo Cannon: The Blues Bus Driver

Toronzo Cannon, a Chicago bluesman, has a fascinating past that sets him apart. For years, he was a CTA bus driver, a role he balanced with nighttime club performances, teaching himself guitar in the process.

On stage, Cannon’s guitar work is not just loud, edgy, and fiery, but it’s also raw. He weaves together screaming solos, soulful vocals, and powerful storytelling, all with an intensity that can only come from living the blues.

Thematically, his songs often cover love, injustice, and survival in the modern metropolis. Cannon brings levity, compassion, and an unflinching honesty to his music. His songs sound authentic because they are.

Albums like ‘The Chicago Way’ showcase Cannon’s unique ability to blend vintage blues with a contemporary sound and message. He pays homage to the tradition of the blues, while addressing the struggles of today.

You can buy Cannon’s album ‘The Chicago Way’ here.

Cannon is quickly becoming one of the most vital voices in modern Chicago blues. He keeps the blues alive, relevant, and deeply human.

Shamekia Copeland: Carrying the Torch Forward

Copeland was born the daughter of Texas blues icon Johnny Copeland. 

Raised on soulful strains of the blues, she quickly showed off her powerful pipes and emotional depth from an early age.

She tackles themes beyond the standard blues fare. Copeland fearlessly addresses issues of race, identity, and female empowerment in her songs. Her voice is gutsy and gritty, full of passion and a sense of urgency.

Albums like Uncivil War and America’s Child have been Grammy-nominated. These recordings expertly fuse raw blues power with incisive social commentary. 

You can buy Copeland’s Album “Uncivil War’ here.

You can buy Copeland’s album ‘America’s Child’ here.

Copeland fearlessly calls out harsh realities while also paying homage to the blues tradition. Her social commentary has not only expanded the thematic scope of the blues but also sparked important conversations within the genre.

Copeland’s influence on modern blues is undeniable. She not only keeps the legacy alive but also breathes new life into it with her unique stamp. With each performance, she reaffirms that the blues is not just surviving, but thriving.

Copeland’s relationship with the blues goes beyond performance – she lives it, interprets it, and redefines it. Her artistry and passion give a voice to those who are often unheard. Through her music, the blues remains a powerful catalyst for change.Grammy-nominated.

Nick Moss: Raw Electric Guitar Revivalist

Nick Moss is a contemporary blues guitarist with a passion for vintage Chicago blues sounds. He often channels the raw, amplified grit of classic players like Otis Rush and Magic Sam.

Collaborating with harmonica player Dennis Gruenling, they produce straight-up, up-tempo electric blues with modern flair. Their music, such as the album ‘Lucky Guy!’, spotlights the expressive interaction between guitar and harp.

You can buy Moss’ Albu ‘Lucky Guy’ here.

On stage, Moss is a force of nature, known for his high-energy, authentic performances. He ignites the stage, connecting with audiences of traditionalists and newcomers alike, leaving them electrified and wanting more.

Off stage, Moss is not just a musician, but a beacon of inspiration for blues education and preservation. He shares his deep knowledge of the music’s history and mentors emerging artists, inspiring a new generation of blues enthusiasts.

He also leads workshops and advocates for appreciation of electric blues guitar legacy. Moss views the blues as more than music, but a living cultural tradition.

Recordings often showcase his gritty tones, driving grooves, and emotive solos. His playing drips with inspiration from the Chicago scene’s past.

Performing and sharing knowledge, Nick Moss helps keep the flame of electric blues alive. He respects the genre’s roots while illuminating its future.

Jonna Conner: Guitar Queen of Chicago Blues

Chicago blues guitarist Joanna Connor regularly sets local clubs like Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy’s Legends on fire with her blistering guitar solos and soulful vocals. The energy and intensity of her live performances, often lasting for hours, are not to be missed.

Connor is a no-holds-barred slide guitar shredder. She pairs this with a gritty, gutsy vocal style that plumbs the depths of the soul.

She’s often referred to as the “Queen of Blues Rock Guitar” and not just as a token female. Her command of the stage and her instrumental prowess have garnered respect in a male-dominated field, where women are often underrepresented and undervalued.

Her 2021 studio album, 4801 South Indiana Avenue, is a modern hard-driving take on classic Chicago blues. It was produced by Joe Bonamassa. The title refers to the actual address of the now-defunct Theresa’s Lounge.

The album is a nod to the deep roots of Chicago’s blues scene. It’s also a showcase for her sonic muscle and an enormous command of tone, groove, and feeling.

Connor’s playing channels the spirit of classic blues but with a fresh, contemporary edge that is sure to intrigue and excite. Her playing has a raw, visceral quality that brims over with passion.

Joanna Connor is a big, hard-charging talent that still has a huge place in the Chicago blues scene today. She’s a seasoned pro with three decades in the game, a fact that commands respect and admiration.

Playing with authenticity and a sense of fire, Connor is a vital part of the Chicago blues scene now.

Mike Wheeler: Soulful and Smooth Performer

Mike Wheeler is a seasoned performer on Chicago’s blues circuit, with over 30 years of live experience. His smooth guitar work and soulful vocals have made him a well-loved local fixture.

As the leader of the Mike Wheeler Band, Mike and his bandmates are known for a unique sound that combines a tight rhythm section with a refined blend of classic blues, funk, soul, and contemporary grooves.

This unique sound is sure to intrigue and excite any music enthusiast.

Wheeler often writes about personal experiences, including love, heartbreak, and perseverance. But he also doesn’t shy away from social commentary and the realities of urban life.

Mike Wheeler’s live shows are not just about high-energy entertainment, but also about connecting with the audience on an emotional level. 

His performances are a blend of thought-provoking material and a big emotional core, always with a solid musicianship backing him up.

From iconic stages like Buddy Guy’s Legends to international tours, Mike Wheeler represents the depth and evolution of modern Chicago blues. 

He pays homage to the past, but also pushes the genre into the future with his innovative approach and unique sound.

Lurrie Bell: Blues with Deep Roots

Son of the great harmonica player Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell was raised among the Chicago blues legends and learned from them. 

He started playing guitar with Eddy Clearwater and Koko Taylor when he was in his teens, and as the first steps of his early career during the 70s and 80s, he was soon recognized as a very promising bluesman. 

During a time out for personal and family reasons, he got involved with drug abuse and alcohol, but eventually returned to the scene in the 90s, with much more soul and depth in his guitar playing and singing. 

Bell made a string of acclaimed and award nominated albums with pure gutsy feeling and a strong and soulful guitar style, showcasing his deep connection to the blues. 

His recordings after the late 2000s have gained a richness and weight that communicate experience, pain, and joy. 

Bell won a Blues Music Award in 2016 for his album Can’t Shake This Feeling, in which he shows a more profound knowledge of the deep blues than most, and a very personal and moving voice. 

You can buy Bell’s album ‘Can’t Shake This Feeling’ here.

Bell is an important blues figure today.

Conclusion: The Next Generation of Chicago Blues

The young blues musicians in Chicago are keeping the blues alive in their own new ways.

While they are influenced by the greats of Chicago blues and electric blues music, they are also making their own mark. For instance, some are incorporating elements of hip-hop or jazz into their blues, while others are experimenting with new technologies to create unique sounds.

Infusing their music with soulful sounds and the stories of their own lives, these new blues artists are a testament to the passion and vitality that underpins the genre, inspiring a deep connection with their audience.

They respect the history of Chicago blues, yet also bring their own energy and modern touches to the music.

With lyrics, instrumentation, and sounds that are fresh and exciting, today’s blues artists are drawing in new fans.

Young blues musicians are also learning from the older generation of artists. They are not just studying their techniques, but also understanding the spirit and ethos of the blues, which is passed down from one generation to the next.

In addition to techniques, they are gaining a sense of how to be performers from the best.

Live performances and connecting with fans is a huge part of the blues experience in Chicago.

Blues artists perform everywhere from small bars to large music festivals.

The Chicago blues scene thrives on community support, with independent record labels, blues societies, and local venues all playing a vital role in its survival and growth. This sense of community involvement makes every fan feel integral to the music’s continued success.

Independent record labels, blues societies, and local venues are all essential to the blues in Chicago. They provide platforms for new artists to showcase their talent, support them in their creative journey, and help them reach a wider audience.

These things keep the music fresh and new while supporting new artists.

New Chicago blues music is so great because of the connection to the community and the past.

Blues is about struggle, celebration, and resilience, and Chicago is at the heart of it all.

If you are a fan of the blues, make sure you listen to the new blues music as well as the greats.

Buy records and see artists in live performances whenever you can.

Share the music with others so that Chicago blues can continue to grow for many more years.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *