One of the best musical memories of the summer of 2024 had to be Charlie Musselwhite making the scene at Chicago’s Millennium Park for a free show in the Pritzker Pavilion.
Chicago summers are always hectic and the first week of July was no exception. The city had shifted into overdrive for the NASCAR race that was slated for a few days later. There were several street closures and viewing stands had already been set up all along Michigan Avenue, which sits directly next to Millennium Park.
Despite these obstacles, there was no way that we were going to “stand back” and miss seeing Charlie Musselwhite in action. Add in the fact that Ivan Singh was the opening act, and you had a must-see show on tap for the American Blues Scene staff.
The convivial mindset was in full swing on that lovely summer night as it’s hard to resist a free show in such a beautiful setting. The Millennium Park music series ran from July 1st until August 8th and featured diverse acts ranging from Bela Fleck and Corrinne Bailey Ray to GZA and Yaya Bey. It’s a terrific program and a great vibe that’s provided by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCASE).
The show was also supported by Alligator Records and WDCB radio, so it was only fitting that WDCB disc jockey and longtime local blues booster, Tom Marker was on hand to emcee the event. So, after hearing Marker’s familiar voice touting the “young man who has been knocking them dead all over town for a few years now,” it was time for Ivan Singh to take the stage.
However, this electrifying artist from Cordova, Argentina did more than simply take the stage. He came out in total domination mode backed by a killer band that was more than ready to blast his unique blend of Latin-infused blues. After Singh had the crowd revved up, he took a minute to acknowledge the fact that playing the Pritzker Stage was a “dream come true.”
Like so many other artists who come to the Windy City, Singh expressed his admiration for the Chicago blues tradition, before serving up his own Argentinian twist on the genre. Backed by a full-blown horn section and a premier percussion ensemble, Singh launched into songs like Santana’s “Maria, Maria” that had the crowd clamoring for more.
Singh’s set wasn’t relegated to Latin-infused blues as he also provided some great takes on songs like BB King’s “Let the Good Times Roll” as well as Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” with a side of “Billie Jean.”
After his homage to the music out of Gary, Indiana, Singh closed it out with a nod to his adopted city and served up an electrifying live version of his newly released “Chicago” song. The audience responded in kind, with a rousing round of applause as Singh and his band exited the stage.
While it’s safe to say that Singh gained several new followers after this performance, Charlie Musselwhite’s legacy and fan base spans several decades and can be traced back to his musical journey from Memphis to Chicago. In the early sixties, he hung out in a variety of west and south side clubs and played with a who’s who of musicians as he cut his teeth performing during the golden age of Chicago blues.
Musselwhite continues to surround himself with a top-notch musical cast. For the Millennium Park appearance, he brought on guitar whiz and producer extraordinaire Kid Andersen who was on overdrive throughout the night. In addition to Andersen, Musselwhite was with his usual crew of drummer June Corr and bassist Randy Bermudes.
The 80-year-old blues master peppered in some riveting stories between performing songs from his extensive catalog. Whether it was a tale about Sonny Boy Williamson horning in on Otis Rush’s club gig or Musselwhite’s experience of penning his “Stranger in a Strange Land” as a new arrival to Chicago in 1962, Musselwhite’s stories were as engaging as the music that’s garnered him a Grammy win, numerous Blues Music awards and several other accolades.
In addition to providing a living blues history, Musselwhite performed with the vigor of a much younger man. During his time on stage, he played everything from the ever-popular “Help Me” and the riff-roaring “River Hip Mama” to closing out with his classic “Christo Redemptor” – a song that “I must have played a thousand times and it still seems different!”
After serving up this still relevant relic from his 1967 Stand Back release, the affable Musselwhite packed up his harmonica case and bid farewell to the appreciative audience. DJ Marker summed up the overall mood when he said that “it does my heart good to see so many blues lovers in one place.” And boy, did that sentiment ring true. Because nothing beats being on hand to listen to live blues on a stellar summer night in the great city of Chicago.
