Bossa Blue will be presenting the James Taylor songbook at Fitzgerald’s on Thursday, August 23rd

Chi IL Live Shows On Our Radar:

Bossa Blue, led by acclaimed singer-songwriter Brad Cole, performs a unique stylistic blend of Bossa/Samba, Cool Jazz, Dub, Soul and Blues interpretations of the songs that have become the soundtrack to our lives.

Bossa Blue will be presenting the James Taylor songbook at Fitzgerald’s on Thursday, August 23. Click here for full details. 




Bossa Blue Presents: A Tribute to the James Taylor Songbook
Thu, Aug 23 2018, 8:30pm - $10
Doors open at 7 pm.

Award winning singer-songwriter and band leader Brad Cole’s most recent project, Bossa Blue, has created quite a buzz with their multi-genre mash-ups of contemporary and classic rock tunes that run the gambit from Radiohead to The Beatles, from The Killers to Joni Mitchel, and now an entire set of James Taylor songs re-imagined and re-energized! Bossa Blue combines Latin rhythms, jazz, dub, rock and soulful blues along with intriguing vocal interplay to create their unique and intoxicating grooves. 


"The James Taylor Songbook is a treasure chest of gems and I’d put his songwriting in the same class as Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer, not to mention the ‘A list’ of his contemporaries. I decided to perform the JT songbook for a few reasons, primarily because these songs are so rich in melody and structure and, because there are so many classics. When I was in grade school I discovered Sweet Baby James in my sister’s record collection. This music was gentle and I never second guessed its honesty. From that day I have always felt a kinship to that young cowboy who lives on the range. The fun and/or challenge here is not to deliver the “James Taylor” version of his tunes, but to update each composition and performance in a compelling way with this extraordinary group of musicians. I immersed myself in the JT catalogue and pondered his headspace both musically and lyrically to better understand his pure and simple elegance.   Each tune has found its own blend of Bossa Nova, Samba, Jazz, Rock and Soulful Blues, all rich with vocal interplay and groove. Personally, the James Taylor set feels like an important body of work but, just as importantly, it is a lot of fun to perform.”

https://www.bossabluemusic.com/
http://www.bradcolemusic.com/

Chicago’s Martin Van Ruin Album Release Celebration at Fitzgerald’s 8/17/18

Chicago’s Martin Van Ruin will be following up their acclaimed 2014 debut Every Man a King with the sophomore album Current Day on Friday, August 17. They will be celebrating the release that evening with a show at Fitzgerald’s.

Current Day was recorded over a series of sessions in 2017 at the Music Garage and was recorded and engineered by Mike Lust (Tight Phantomz).

“Fans looking for Chicago’s next Wilco may want to check out Martin Van Ruin.”— American Songwriter

“The Bob Dylan and Neil Young comparisons are inescapable for this new folk rock supergroup.”— Chicago Sun-Times

Martin Van Ruin (Album Release), The Shams Band

Fri, Aug 17 2018, 8:30pm - $10 - Tickets



Doors open at 7 pm.

MARTIN VAN RUIN: 

“Seriously epic folk-pop chops” - Chicago Reader (Gossip Wolf)

“15 Chicago Artists to Watch in 2014” - Chicago Red Eye (Andy Downing)

“Undeniable chemistry reminiscent of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo” - Static Magazine (Kelly McGuire)

Check out their site HERE for more information.



THE SHAMS BAND: 

Drawing heavily from their Kinks, Rolling Stones, and Wilco influences, songwriters Donnie Biggins and Paul Gulyas create whiskey-driven blues, complete with four-part harmonies. It's whiskey-driven storytelling. It's a party. It's rock 'n roll with a banjo. The Shams Band has opened for Drive-By Truckers, Dawes, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and played to sold out crowds in their hometown of Chicago.

https://www.facebook.com/theshamsband/

Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar: Shams Band Summer Fest Dates, CBS Morning News, Old St. Pat's and More

ChiIL Live Shows has been shooting the Shams Band for years.  They're some of our favorite rockin' locals.    Check 'em out right here at home this summer.

Shams Band Says:

Live TV Performance - CBS Morning News 6:30am on Friday, June 28th, 2013

Please set your DVR today for a chance to see us on live TV. 

Street Festivals (Chicago):

+ FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH - WORLD'S LARGEST BLOCK PARTY - 5:30PM 

We are honored to be a part of Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party. We will kick off the festival on the main stage at 5:30pm. Following us will be PUNCH BROTHERS and EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROES. We are giving away 2 FREE tickets via our Facebook & Twitter accounts. Please click through the links for a chance to win. 

Ticket Link

http://worldslargestblockparty.com/facts/

http://www.theshamsband.com/

http://vintagebluemusic.com/

+ SUNDAY, JUNE 30TH - ULTRA VIOLET PETTING ZOO - 6:30PM

The 'Ultra-Violet Petting Zoo' is back in its third year at The Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club Carnival on June 28 and 30 -- commemorating the carnival's 66th anniversary as Chicago's largest and longest running carnival. We play at 6:30PM | $5 Donation

+ SATURDAY, JULY 6TH - AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL - FITZGERALD'S NIGHTCLUB

We are so excited to be a part of our home town summer music Festival. We've been playing Fitzgerald's from day one and are honored to play American Music Festival. 

Here is the lineup for the day:

IN THE CLUB: Jimmy LaFave (11 pm), NRBQ (9 pm), Dolly Varden (7:30 pm), Warren Hood Band (5:45 pm), The Shams Band (4:15 pm), Expo '76 (2:30 pm)

IN THE TENT: Tributosaurus becomes Tom Petty (10:15 pm), Marcia Ball Band (8:15 pm), Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs (6:30 pm), Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet (4:45 pm), Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys (3 pm), Girl Group Chicago (1:30 pm)


WEEKEND OF SHAMS - SCHUBAS TAVERN - AUGUST 16TH & 17TH

Save the dates! We headline Schubas for two nights in August. Last Summer, our July residency was so successful (thanks to you), that we are back to headline Schubas for the first time ever on a weekend. We'll be bringing up our good friends Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes + The Howlin' Brothers from Nashville, TN. Plus two more bands TBA

We will be promoting this event for the entire summer and we ask that you save yourself some money right now and purchase the limited $20 Two-Day Pass to our weekend celebration. 

http://www.ticketfly.com/event/292769-shams-band-chicago/

That is it for now. We hope to see some folks out at our upcoming street festivals. Thank you for your support and continue to dance and enjoy yourselves at our shows. That is what music is all about.