Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials

In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for almost 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. 

Lil’ Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J.B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil’ Ed is now universally hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials - bassist (and Ed’s half-brother) James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton - have remained together for nearly 30 years with the band fueling Ed’s songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship.

The band continues to bring their blistering Chicago blues to “Ed Heads” new and old. Their infectious energy, joyful showmanship and masterful playing have been honed to a razor’s edge by their many years together. Lil’ Ed, Pookie, Mike and Kelly have seen sports stars and presidents, musical fads and fashion trends come and go. Meanwhile, their fiery music has more than stood the test of time. “We’re not band members,” says Williams, “we’re family, and families stay together.” Night after night, gig after riotous gig, the musical family called Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials bring their big, dynamic Chicago blues sound to fans across the country and around the world.

Artist Website

Philly blues band Sister Blue, fronted by Nanette Arndts, has been dubbed “A Belter of the Blues” by Phila. Inquirer Magazine. Arndts has been praised for her raw, soul-stirring vocals and electrifying guitar work. Her music is pure fire—unfiltered, passionate, and deeply rooted in the blues tradition. Over the years, Sister Blue has shared festival stages with legends such as Joe Louis Walker, John Hammond, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Roomful of Blues, and Sunnyland Slim, lighting up the 1990 River Blues Festival—the largest blues fest on the East Coast. 

Artist Website



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