Live on the Honky Tonk Saloon Stage…
Honky Tonk BBQ is proud to present the Saloon Stage, hosting a full schedule of live music that covers the genres of American Roots music from the roaring 20’s to the groovy 60’s; Western Swing, Honky Tonk, Rockabilly, Bluegrass, Blues, Old Time, Soul, and occaisionally new age indie and rock.
Wednesday 6:00pm: The Blue Three
A Chicago-based trio specializing in the forgotten small group styles of the 1920s. The Blue Three is a Chicago-based trio comprised of banjoist and guitarist John Donatowicz, pianist Andy Schumm and clarinetist John Otto.
The group’s unique performances of early jazz classics and pop songs from the 1910s, ’20s and ‘30s are suitable for listening and dancing alike. Their style is characterized by a distinct, original approach to Chicago jazz and dance music traditions.
Wednesday 9:00pm: DJ Tess
Tess moved to Chicago in 2002 from Baton Rouge as a visual artist but eventually turned to the music scene for creative expression. In 2001, she co-founded award-winning dance part, Slo’mo, and holds multiple residences in the city, including Soho House and the Ace Hotel. Tess is known for her vibrant energy on stage, mixing old school into contemporary music and all-around dance party magic.
Thursday 9:00pm: Ida y Vuelta
Ida y Vuelta’s presentations come from a long tradition of Mexican folk music called Son Jarocho. The genre is a fusion of African, Spanish and Indigenous music and poetry. Ida y Vuelta’s instrumentation is native to the Veracruz region and includes jaranas (8 string small guitars), requinto (lead 4 string guitar), leona (acoustic bass), zapateado (percussive foot tapping) and they also incorporate the cajón (wood peruvian box) and cajita (small peruvian box) for reinforcements.
Ida y Vuelta plays traditional “sones” which some date back over 300 years as well as their own arrangements and original tunes. They respectfully perform this music and aspire to make known its rich historical and musical value, specifically here in the U.S.
Friday 7:30pm: Bubbles Brown
Bubbles Brown is a two-piece early blues outfit from Chicago, IL. Bubbles (Guitar, Vocals) and Washboard Ben (Percussion, Vocals) cut their teeth on the blues deep in the subways of Chicago, busking for change and the occasional dollar. Using only a guitar, washboard, sock cymbal, assorted percussion and a suitcase bass drum -the duo and their lean, archaic setup evoke the home-spun, kitchen-sink aesthetic of rural, pre-war blues and country, while blending into it an aggressive and modern electricity to create a sound at-once both nostalgic and distinctly progressive. The Bubbles Brown sound defies expectations, and their rich and reverent brand of the blues, country and jazz of the 20s and 30s greatly exceeds the sum of its parts, transforming stages of any size into roadside juke joints and skeptics into believers.
Friday 10:00pm: Jamaican Jazz Ensemble
The Chicago Jamaican Jazz
Saturday 7:30pm: Chris Foreman & Chae Chi
It’s hardly a secret that Chris Foreman has long been Chicago’s best jazz organist. The Hammond B3 master, blind since birth, has only now released his first recording under his own name. He’s made a handful of killer records as a key member of the Deep Blue Organ Trio (with guitarist Bobby Broom and drummer Greg Rockingham); he’s played behind singer Kimberly Gordon, as well as Henry Johnson and Dave Specter; he’s a fixture at the Green Mill.
Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Foreman is one of a few Chicago jazz heroes who should be better known outside the city limits.
Saturday 10:30pm: Bailey Dee’s Late Night Bait
Chicago’s lead Rock N’ Souler – Bailey Dee found the rock and roll handbook and reads it right! Reminding many of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, with the sweetness of Lorrie Collins, and the ferocity of a young Etta James. A full band backs her featuring members of legendary R&B Chicagoan Andre Williams band and ex-Million Dollar Quartet.
Screaming on a rocker in a way that would make Jay Hawkins proud, or coaxing tears from jaded audiences with a pining ballad, Bailey Dee covers the spectrum with ease.
Her northern soul/r&b and pre 60’s rock repertoire is spot on, due to her extensive collection of vinyl which she DJs at legendary whiskey purveyor Delilahs every second Tuesday of the Month.
Come see what the fuss is about with this THREE TIME AMERIPOLITAN NOMINEE and most recently the 2018 WINNER IN THE ROCKABILLY FEMALE CATEGORY!!–
Sunday 8:00pm: The Chicago Cellar Boys
Formed in 2017, the Chicago Cellar Boys is a five-piece band specializing in the jazz and hot dance music of the 1920s and 30s. Comprised of multi-instrumentalist Andy Schumm, reedman John Otto, pianist and vocalist Paul Asaro, banjoist and guitarist John Donatowicz, and tubist and bassist Dave Bock. The band can be heard every Sunday from 8 to 11pm at the Honky Tonk BBQ in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
Upcoming Shows
12/13 Rick Sherry + Ricky Liontones
12/14 Nathan Graham + Big City Knights
12/20 Jimmy Burns + Mar Caribe
12/21 Wandering Boys + Gin Palace Jesters
Hours
MON: CLOSED
T-F: 4pm-2am
SAT: 4pm-3am
SUN: 4pm-2am
