Trading 4s, the hourlong virtual Blues concert & conversation series presented by the new Chicago Blues Network, has announced its October 2020 lineup. The Thursday, October 1 Trading 4s session will feature sets and behind-the-scenes storytelling by beloved veteran Blues vocalist Mary Lane, who just won the Comeback Artist of the Year award from Living Blues magazine, and guitarist Brother John Kattke, resident musician at Buddy Guy’s Legends here for some 30 years; while the Thursday, October 15 Trading 4s session features veteran Blues vocalist and Howlin’ Wolf disciple James Yancy “Tail Dragger”Jones performing with his disciple, Worldwide West Side Guitar Man international touring artist Johnny Burgin, along with young guitar virtuoso Jamiah Rogers.
Trading 4s, based on the music term in which two solo instruments alternately play 4 measures each, is hosted by acclaimed guitarist, Delmark recording artist and bandleader Dave Specter. Launching Oct. 1, Specter will lead a pre-show Blues guitar lesson using one of the songs from that evening’s set list, starting at 6:45pm (CT). Specter is one of Chicago Blues Network’s expert faculty offering students virtual Blues instruction, along with Burgin, Joanna Connor and Billy Flynn, and each Trading 4s concert will feature a different Blues Master musician leading a sample lesson.
Chicago Blues Network’s Trading 4s streams live the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, from 7-8pm (CT) on Facebook, with repeat airings on Tuesday afternoons at 1pm (CT) via YouTube to accommodate international audiences. Trading 4s livestreams are intentionally low priced at $5.00, so as to not limit access to anyone seeking a live concert experience during this tenuous time. Register for the livestream concerts and pre-show lessons via https://athomechicagoblues.com
And if Thursdays don’t work, past concerts also available for viewing anytime at no cost on YouTube via https://bit.ly/seeChicagoBlues.
Among current offerings on the Chicago Blues Network YouTube channel are the recent BluesStream: A Chicago/Kalamazoo Blues Party, a six-hour celebration of Blues music, culture, and history, featuring performances by Chicago Blues masters Billy Branch, Johnny Burgin, Joanna Connor, Katherine Davis, Billy Flynn, Fruteland Jackson, John Kattke, Dave Specter, and Harlan Terson, while Kalamazoo-based headliners include Larry McCray, AMays and Blue, and Out of Favor Boys Trio. Plus, past Trading 4s sets by Jimmy Burns, Toronzo Cannon, Ivy Ford, Anne Harris & David Herrero, Donna Herula, Jimmy Johnson, Lynne Jordan, Paul Kaye, Guy King, Mud Morgenfield, Nick and Kate Moss, John Primer, Demetria Taylor, and Mike Wheeler are currently available at any time on demand!
And whenever, however one views, for those who are able to contribute, a ‘virtual tip’ jar located at https://athomechicagoblues.com/support-the-artists provides compensation for the performers in addition to supporting the Firehouse Community Art Center in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Under the direction of Pastor Phil Jackson, its mission is to interrupt the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts. Nationally, monies also benefit The Blues Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for Performing Blues Artists.
The Trading 4s concert series is presented by the Chicago Blues Network, a newly established community of interest connecting Chicago Blues Masters with global Chicago Blues followers for #socialimpact. Led by Chicago Blues fan and student Scott Weil, Chicago Blues Network encompasses a wide range of Blues instruction and programming including the original Chicago Blues Boot Camp (now revamped in a virtual At Home Chicago Blues model); podcasts such as the forthcoming No Border Blues hosted by Johnny Burgin & Stephanie Tice and Blues From the Inside Out; the Trading 4s livestream concert series; and the bBlues Note weekly newsletter. Chicago Blues Network proudly supports its musicians and the broader community in which we live. While the majority of Chicago Blues Network programming is ‘pay-what-you-can,’ audiences are encouraged to contribute funds, if able, via a ‘virtual tip’ jar, to compensate performers in addition to supporting the Firehouse Community Art Center in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Under the direction of Pastor Phil Jackson, the Firehouse’s mission is to interrupt the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts. Nationally, monies also benefit The Blues Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for Performing Blues Artists. Members of the global Blues community are encouraged to support similar organizations, via its motto, Hear The Joy, Share The Joy.
Visit https://athomechicagoblues.com/ for more information about Chicago Blues Network.
###