Chicago Blues isn’t just something you hear. It’s something you experience.
On April 25, The Venue and the Fox Valley Music Foundation present the third installment of Delmark Day, part of the ongoing Delmark Records & FVMF Masterclass Series, a quarterly celebration of music, mentorship, and Chicago blues history.
Funded by a Music In Action grant from Live Music Society, the evening opens at 6:00pm with a live rehearsal and interactive masterclass featuring the Delmark All-Stars, who will mentor 18-year-old vocal prodigy Jaden Allen. Guests get a rare behind-the-scenes look at master musicians at work, shaping sound, sharing knowledge, and keeping the Chicago blues tradition alive.
At 7:00pm, Delmark Records co-president Julia Miller takes over, spinning selections from the historic Delmark catalog between sets. Then at 8:00pm, acclaimed bluesman Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band close out the night with songs from his celebrated album Full Circle, nominated for the Blues Music Award for Best Soul Blues Album of the Year.
The full lineup features Chicago Blues standouts Mike Wheeler (vocals & guitar), Roosevelt Purifoy (keys), Larry Williams (bass), Big Ray (drums), Chris Foreman (Hammond B3), and Greg Rockingham (drums).
From masterclass to live performance, Delmark Day offers a true window into how Chicago Blues is created, shared, and passed on to the next generation.
Tickets: $25 | Great for musicians and students
The Venue is located at 21 South Broadway in Aurora.
