February 2010

Monday, February 8
Closed.

Tuesday, February 9
Open Mic. in the CLUB! 8pm signup, 8:30pm showtime, 21+, no cover.

Wednesday, February 10
(ECLECTIC) Chicago Singer Spotlight with host Becca Kaufman, 8pm, $8.
Chicago Singer Spotlight is a showcase open to anyone: male or female, from the seasoned professional to the aspiring beginner. And the diversity doesn’t end there. A typical show encompasses music genres of all types including: jazz, rock, country, musical theater and original material. Each show consists of four vocalists performing a four-song set with a professional house band.
singerspotlight.com

Thursday, February 11
(JAZZ) Red Rose Ragtime Band, 7:30pm, $10.
Red Rose Ragtime Band was formed in the early 1980s in the Chicago, Illinois area with the express purpose of playing a musical repertoire reflecting almost every aspect of early jazz music, including ragtime.
Today, the Red Rose has perhaps the widest variety of traditional jazz sound of any band in America. Represented on the "menu" are compositions by Jelly Roll Morton, Tiny Parham, Benny Moten, and King Oliver to mention a few of the classic jazz composers. Rags by Scott Joplin, James Scott, Joe Jordan, May Aufderheide and others highlight the ragtime era. Red Rose delves into early Dixieland with seldom-heard tunes by the pre-1920 Original Dixieland Jass Band--- then continues into the "hot '20s " with the marvelous music generated by the legendary Bix Beiderbecke and others. The "West Coast Revival" period is represented by Lu Watters and Turk Murphy compositions. No matter what the tune, Red Rose plays each in the style in which it was originally played or recorded.
redrosejazz.com

Friday, February 12
(BLUES) Bono Bros Blues Band w/the Virginia Gentlemen, Kristine Jackson; 8:30pm, $10 TW/advance tickets.
Founded in 1953 as an octet of the University's Glee Club, the Virginia Gentlemen are the University of Virginia's oldest a cappella ensemble. Since declaring independence and becoming their own student-run entity in 1987, the Virginia Gentlemen have served as the premier musical ambassadors of the University and have performed at distinguished venues and events around the United States and abroad on their annual international tour.

Kristine Jackson has been on the scene since 1998; first as a freelance trumpet player then a full time singer, songwriter, guitar player and band leader in 2004. With musical roots in Mo-Town, rhythm and blues, country, classic rock and soul combined with a fresh modern sound Kristine has developed a voice all her own and is unleashing new sounds to the blues world.
From solo/duo shows to full band form, Kristine Jackson is a soul searching musical experience. Using music as a vehicle to share a positive vibe with an ever changing audience; weather it be dealing with a troubled past, the loss of a loved one, or any one of life’s tragedies. Kristine will be playing during the set change in between The Virginia Gentlemen and the Bono Brothers, then will move over to the SideBar with Colin Gilmore. She will play a short set around 10.30pm while Colin takes a break.

*Also on Friday, February 12
(ROCK) Colin Gilmore, 9:30pm in the SideBar, $5 suggested donation.
“Austin singer-songwriter Colin Gilmore is building his reputation the old-fashioned way: hard work and imagination. He and his new wife's idea of the perfect honeymoon was a tour of Japan, where he played eight cities in 10 days, complete with a different backing band at each gig. He has recently toured the west coast, played the Old Town Art Fair in Chicago, and played an online interactive concert at Mike Nesmith's Videoranch. The Flatlanders are set to include Gilmore's song ‘The Way We Are’ on their next album. Gilmore describes his work as a blend of ‘West Texas-style rock, with a country/punk/psychedelic/pop edge.’” – Sylvie Simmons, Mojo Magazine
colingilmore.com

Kristine Jackson will play a short set around 10.30pm while Colin takes a break. (please see above for more info.

Saturday, February 13
(COUNTRY) Country Legend Charlie Louvin w/Long Gone Lonesome Boys, 9pm, $15 TW/advance tickets.
The term "living legend" gets thrown around quite a bit, but it actually applies to Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin.
The magical harmonies and depth of feeling found on Louvin Brothers recordings of the '50s and '60s inspired a new generation of musicians, firmly establishing the Louvins' stature as one of the most influential duos in country music history.
In 2006, the Tompkins Square label reached out to Charlie about making his first new studio album in over ten years. They enlisted Mark Nevers, who engineered sessions for many top country artists, and produced Calexico, Lambchop, Candi Staton among others. Guests on the album include Elvis Costello, George Jones, Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham, Tom T. Hall, Tift Merritt, Marty Stuart, Bobby Bare Sr., David Kilgour, members of Bright Eyes, Lambchop, Clem Snide, Superchunk and more.
Louvin enjoyed the experience. "Mark Nevers is one of the best engineers I've ever worked with. My brother and I cut our teeth on some of those old songs and they influenced us tremendously. I'm glad we're able to remind people of them."

*Also on Saturday, February 13
(ROCK) Colin Gilmore, 9:30pm in the Sidebar, $5 suggested donation.
See Friday's listing above for information on Colin Gilmore.

Sunday, February 14
(CAJUN/FOLK) Valentine's Day Dance featuring BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, doors 6pm, show 7pm, $15 TW/advance tickets.
"THE BEST CAJUN BAND IN THE WORLD" - Garrison Keillor, Prairie Home Companion
Since forming in 1975, Grammy™ winners BeauSoleil have claimed their undisputed role as the most esteemed Cajun group in music. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet take the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blend elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a satisfying musical recipe. From The Grand Ole Opry to Newport Folk, from concert hall to dance floor, the music of BeauSoleil continues to captivate audiences the world over.
rosebudus.com/beausoleil

Monday, February 15
(CAJUN/FOLK) The 16th Annual Jambalaya Cookoff featuring BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet,
doors: 6pm, 7:30pm tasting starts, 8pm show, $15 TW/advance tickets.
Please see info on BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet above.

Tuesday, February 16
(ROCK) 29th Annual Fat Tuesday Celebration featuring Paul Cebar and the Modern Sounds, Chicago Cajun Aces, and Roy Rubinstein's Chicago Hot Six; doors open at 5pm, music starts at 6pm, $10 TW/advance tickets.
Paul Cebar has steadfastly pursued a musical concatenation that is one part early R&B, another Pan-African Lilt, Afro-Cuban by way of New Orleans Slither, qualified by Mid-Western Soul and further distinguished by a gargantuan regard for spoken English.
"Paul Cebar has been a primary investigator and promulgator of funky Afro-Carib-inflected Americana since the ‘80’s.... Cebar stays vital, putting his good foot forward from Green Bay to Baltimore to the Big Easy." – Tom Cheyney, LA Weekly, July 2003.
"Jubilant, percussive… full-on, pan-ethnic
party music." – Pamela Murray Winters, Washington Post, August 2003.
"Some regionalists are dreamers, and while this group of rhythm rounders is situated in Wisconsin, their hearts are somewhere in the fifth ward of New Orleans. They put a lively spin on all sorts of American strains, from second-line to funk to zydeco and they do it with a load of whimsy."
Jim Macnie, The Village Voice, 2002.
Paul and crew should start around 9:30pm.
paulcebar.com

Having played together for 23 years, The Chicago Cajun Aces give you a real taste of what you would hear in the dance halls of Cajun country on a Saturday night. Two of the band members, Charlie Terr (accordion) and Will Whedbee (fiddle) were made Honorary Cajuns by the Cajun French Music Association of Louisiana in 1989. In 1993 they provided back-up on Tracy Schwarz's recording, “Louisiana and You” for which they were nominated for the Cajun French Music Association's Prix Dehors de Nous, an award honoring out-of state bands who are playing traditional Cajun music. They have performed with some of the most renowned Cajun musicians including Dewey Balfa, Eddie LeJeune, Marc and Ann Savoy, D. L. Menard, Jesse Lege, and Ed Poullard. In 1995 John Terr (guitar) and Charlie appeared with renowned Cajun songwriter and fiddler Adam Hebert on Louisiana Public Radio's “Rendez-vous de Cajuns” at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, Louisiana. The band also features Holly Whedbee (vocals and fiddle), Dan Massey (drums) and Gene Losey on bass. They'll start about 8pm.
The Chicago Cajun Connection

If you suspect some of the joy, excitement and just plain fun have gone out of jazz since it named the twenties, yet still want the emotional depth found in all great music, open your ears to Roy Rubinstein's Chicago Hot Six! They will be performing from 6-8pm.

*Also on Tuesday, February 16
(JAZZ) Roy Rubenstein & The Chicago Hot 6, PLUS Open Mic. in the SideBar; 8pm, No Cover.
After their performance in the club Roy Rubenstein & The Chicago Hot 6 will be performing in the SideBar at 8pm. Open Mic. will follow at 9pm.

Wednesday, February 17
(JAZZ) Rob Parton Big Band, 8pm, $10, 17 and under $5.
The Rob Parton Big Band will feature a group of the finest musicians in Chicago. Musically, the band will mirror that of the European Radio Orchestra’s where new music is the focus rather than that of the repertory bands that are so popular in the US. The music will feature the sounds of the electric guitar, electric bass, percussion and musical styles outside of the traditional swing setting hitting upon funk grooves, hip hop grooves, latin grooves and of course the essence of it all, swing. In some ways it might be very similar to Gordon Goodwin’s Big PHAT Band intersecting with Maria Schneider’s Jazz Orchestra.
rparton.com

Thursday, February 18
(ROCK) Spade Kitty Showcase, 8pm, $5.
A monthy showcase of local rock bands sure to shake this roadhouse!
Tonight's featured artists are: Ian Leith (8pm), Hop on Pop record release: Chicken on a Bicycle (9pm), The What (10pm), and Avitas (11pm).
spadekitty.com

Friday, February 19
(ZYDECO) Help for Haiti Fundraiser with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience and the Velvet Jimis, 9pm show, $20 minimum donation TW/advance tickets
Join us as we gather to raise money for the victims of the earthquakes and their aftermath--we'll have music with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience and the Velvet Jimis, plus FitzGerald's first-ever Best Of The Basement Flea Market -- CD's, tshirts, posters, beer and liquor signs, and odds and ends. Proceeds to benefit Mercy and Sharing (see below for full information). A great night of music for a very worthy cause! 9 pm, $20 minimum donation. Link to Mercy and Sharing: www.haitianchildren.com

“Simien is a Zydeco Master: his voice yearning like Sam Cooke, he delivers soul worthy of Stax greats and shows crossover class.” – Rolling Stone
For more than 2 decades Grammy™ award winning artist Terrance Simien, 8th generation Louisiana Creole has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Creole Zydeco music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience Band, Simien has become one of the most respected and internationally recognized touring and recording artists in roots music today.
terrancesimien.com

*Also on Friday, February 19
Sidebar Session with Go Long Mule and special guest Rosie Healy, 9pm in the SideBar Music Room, $5.
The SideBar Sessions feature Go Long Mule with a different guest artist sitting in and performing solo: this month the spotlight is on singer/songwriter Rosie Healy.

“Pieced together after a series of fateful barroom encounters, Go Long Mule has created a style that is as much cheers and laughter as it is a drunken brawl. Asked to comment after first hearing Go Long Mule, Billie Burke remarked that the music “feels like the holy spirit, but without all that religious shit.” Accessible yet indefinable, the sonic collage stitched by this wayfaring bevy is perhaps best described as nothing more than a reflection of the band’s multifarious members and their deviant personal histories. This troupe of gadabouts has joined around a raucous mixture of folk, rock and roadhouse to create a sound that thrusts and grabs and tickles the senses. Each performance is a carnival where song and story rendezvous, an adventure that delights the ears, the ribs and the hips, while sharing moments from converging paths, revealing both ancient and infant truths that can be found only in America’s low places.” – Mitchell Hendrickson
myspace.com/golongmule

Saturday, February 20
Benefit for the Catherine O'Connor Trage Foundation
The COT Foundation was formed by her family and friends in honor of Catherine Ann O'Connor Trage, to honor her life and to help others in her name. This benefit will raise money for the Miseracordia Heart of Mercy. Click on the link below for more information.
dantoconnor.com/cathsitefolder/benefit.html

Sunday, February 21
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Fundraiser, 2pm til 10pm, $25 donation at the door.
Our friend Jeff Kramer launched this fundraiser in memory of his mother Darlene Kramer, who passed away from the disease. The afternoon and evening include music by Naomi Ashley, Big John, déjà vu, Ear Thorn, Tom Head, Jeff Kramer & Friends, Ron Lazzeretti, Scott Momenthy, Jack Swain and The What, as well as raffles, a silent auction and light appetizers.
pulmonaryfibrosis.org

Sunday, February 21
(FAMILY) Kid's Show featuring Dave Hamilton and the Space Cadets; Snacks Provided by the Bleeding Heart Bakery; 10am Door, 11am Show, $8 Adults, $5 kids 12 and under.
David has an organic way of connecting with children & adults alike. His simplistic approach to writing & performing introduces them to the world of music in an uninhibited way. It is pure magic.
In 2009, Dave teamed up with Annie Dwyer, an early childhood advocate & founder of Loolatopia, A Children’s Company committed to keeping it real for kids 0-99. By joining forces, they were able to create a Mix of whimsical, upbeat originals that have lots to teach. Overnight, Dave was transformed into a music hero with a positive message. With “gui-tar” in hand, David has just completed It’s Mr. Dave, his 2nd album for children. It is a collection of new classics that are sure to delight. Some claim they are downright super. Y'all are invited to come sing along.
mrdavemusic.com

Monday, February 22
Closed.

Tuesday, February 23
Open Mic. in the SideBar, 8pm signup, 9pm showtime, 21+, no cover.

Wednesday, February 24
(JAZZ) West End Jazz Band, 7:30pm, $10.
The West End Jazz Band has, for the past 32-plus years, recreated the classic music that typifies the twenties and thirties using original arrangements and instrumentation that is true to the style of the era. The band was organized by Mike Bezin, who had a great love for early jazz but was tired of hearing the same traditional tunes played by other jazz bands. The repertoire of West End consists of a broad representation of the music of this golden age, hot and sweet dance and jazz. Featured are the pure jazz numbers, the nonsense songs, the up-tempo tunes and also the beautiful ballads. This was the type of music for dancing and for those zany times when youth ran wild and made whoopee; songs such as “Roodles,” “The Flippity Flop,” “My Cutey’s Due at Two to Two To-Day,” and the beautiful ballads like “Out Where the Moonbeams are Born,” and “Now That Summer is Gone.” Their book is full of great standards, obscure songs, as well as a number of straight dance medleys that reflect the romantic and sweet side of that era.

Most of the members of West End are from the west side of the Chicago area, from which the band takes its name. Mike Bezin is the leader and plays cornet. Leah LaBrea, “The Windy City Songbird,” plays banjo and guitar. John Otto is on alto sax and clarinet. Other members are Mike Walbridge on tuba, Frank Gualtieri on trombone, and Andy Schumm on drums. Come enjoy the nostalgic and danceable music of The West End Jazz Band!
westendjazzband.com

Thursday, February 25
(COUNTRY) Country Night in Berwyn, 8pm, $5.
Featured artists include Terry White & the Ventilators (Andon Davis & Gary Schepers), For Pilots, and Long Gone Lonesome Boys.
myspace.com/forpilotsthemusic | myspace.com/longgonelonesomeboys

Friday, February 26
XRT Show – Chuck Prophet, 9:30 pm; $15 TW/advance tickets .
"When it came time to record a new album, Chuck Prophet packed up his guitars and headed south of the border for a Mexico City studio that was state-of-the-art circa 1958. The result: “¡Let Freedom Ring!” is one of the most honest snapshots of troubled times to reach listeners in 2009.
From the stark opening riff of “Sonny Liston's Blues” (admittedly a rip-off of The Clash's “London Calling” intro without the morse code) to the striving strum and hum of “Leave the Window Open,” it's chock full of heartache, despair and the occasional breath of hope. The Village Voice called it “a 'Born in the U.S.A.' for our time.” No Depression christened it “a new American anthem for the post-9/11 world.” The San Francisco folk-rocker with the Tom Petty drawl and the wry sense of humor (2010 resolution: “Start smoking again and stop working out” ), Prophet keeps telling everybody “they're political songs for non-political people.”
Two decades after he split with Green on Red, the wide-eyed dreamer who fled Whittier for San Francisco is firmly entrenched as one of the most observant and honest songwriter's songwriter plying the trade today." wrote John Beck, For the Press Democrat.
chuckprophet.com

*Also on Friday, February 26
Cannonball, 8pm in the SideBar, free!
Goodtimes rock 'n roll.

Saturday, February 27
(AFRICAN AMERICAN FOLK) WDCB hosts – An Evening with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, 9pm, $15 TW/advance tickets.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a group of young African-American stringband musicians that have come to together to play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music in Carolinas piedmont. Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson both hail from the green hills of the North Carolina Piedmont while Dom Flemons is native to sunny Arizona. Although we have diverse musical backgrounds, we draw our musical heritage from the foothills of the North and South Carolina. We have been under the tutelage of Joe Thompson, said to be the last black traditional string band player, of Mebane, NC and we strive to carry on the long standing traditional music of the black and white communities. Joes musical heritage runs as deeply and fluidly as the many rivers and streams that traverse our landscape. We are proud to carry on the tradition of black musicians like Odell and Nate Thompson, Dink Roberts, John Snipes, Libba Cotten, Emp White, and countless others who have passed beyond memory and recognition.
carolinachocolatedrops.com

*Also on Saturday, Feb. 27
Sanctified Grumblers, 9:30pm in the SideBar, Free (pass the hat).

*Also on Sunday, February 28
(FAMILY/POP) Tributosaurus for Kids becomes The Beatles Vol. 1, doors open at 11am, showtime: noon; $15, 12 & under: $7 TW/advance tickets.
Tributosaurus becomes the Beatles, Vol. 1 was so popular, that they thought they would bring the show back, but this time you can bring the kids! Because why should adults have all the fun?
tributosaurus.com

Sunday, February 28
(JAZZ) Bill O’Connell’s Chicago Skyliners Big Band, 6pm, $10, 17 & under $5.
A house band at FitzGerald’s since 1991, the Chicago Skyliners Big Band is one of the top big bands in Chicagoland. Besides original material by contemporary big band arrangers, the band also features the music of Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Blue Birdland recording artists. The band has recorded 7 CDs. Big band is alive and well. Celebrate this great art form most every Sunday at FitzGerald’s. On your way there, check Bill’s big band radio show Sunday’s at 5pm on 90.9FM WDCB.
chicagoskylinersbigband.com

Jazz programming at FitzGerald's is generously sponsored by public radio 90.9 FM WDCB, Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Tuesday, March 2
Open Mic. in the SideBar, 8pm signup, 9pm showtime, 21+, no cover.

Wednesday, March 3
Closed.

Thursday, March 4
(ECLECTIC) Local & Vocal, hosted by E.P. Creedon; 8:30pm, $7.

Friday, March 5
(ROCK) Monte Montgomery, 9pm, $15 TW/advance tickets. (please note updated start time)
Monte Montgomery has taken the acoustic guitar beyond anyone's expectations. With his amazing fretwork, unique combination finger and pick style playing through trailblazing "chordal" thoroughfares often baffling even the most accomplished players. While Monte remains a huge enigma in the guitar universe, his legendary reputation has spread like wildfire since he appeared on Austin City Limits. In 2004 Monte was named on Guitar Player Magazine's list of "Top 50 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time" and in 2005 he was featured the covers of Frets and Acoustic Guitar magazines. Countless articles have been written about Monte describing him "The Evel Knievel of Guitar", "Six Strings Attached To Dynamite", "The Answer To The Fermi Paradox" and "The Acoustic Shred Master" just to name a few. Monte's fretwork has become the benchmark for acoustic guitar players. "An American Original", there is no doubt Monte Montgomery is destined to become An American Legend.
montemontgomery.com

Saturday, March 6
(ROCK) Rhett Miller, plus Ligon and McDonough; 9pm, $20 TW/advance tickets.
Rhett Miller is the front man and main songwriter of the hard-charging rock ‘n’ roll quartet the Old 97’s, as well as an accomplished solo artist. In addition to his seven records with the 97’s, he’s released two highly regarded solo albums, The Instigator (2002) and The Believer (2006). Rhett continues to balance his solo endeavors with his membership in the Old 97’s. The still-active quartet was prominently featured in the Jennifer Aniston/Vince Vaughn romantic comedy, The Break Up. Rhett Miller's brand new, self-titled album has been cultivating enthusiastic reviews. Rolling Stone magazine gave the album four stars, calling it "his strongest solo set ever".
rhettmiller.com

Sunday, March 7
(JAZZ) Chicago Grandstand Big Band, 6pm, $10, 17 & under $5.
The Chicago Grandstand Big Band has been an integral part of Chicago's entertainment community for over 25 years. This band has an extensive selection of arrangements that encompass everything from the Swing Era (Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Artie Shaw, etc) to Big Band Jazz (Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman etc.
chicagograndstandbigband.com

Tuesday, March 9
Open Mic. in the Club, signup at 8pm, 9pm, free.

Wednesday, March 10
(ECLECTIC) Chicago Singer Spotlight, 8pm, $8.

Friday, March 12
(ROCK) Yellowhammers, Velvet Jimis, 9pm, $10 TW/advance tickets.
An American blend of rock that draws from blues, country, and folk, the band is loose not sloppy, tender not soft, forlorn not pitiful, but always hopeful. This is roots rock from Chicago’s West Side.
yellowhammers.com velvetjimis.com

Saturday, March 13
(COUNTRY/ROCK) Heartsfield w/ Whitey Morgan & the 78s, 9pm, $15 TW/advance tickets.
"Soulful, down-home sound. Distinct vocal harmonies. Rootsy, swampy, foot-stompin’ country rock with bits of folk and jazz blended in. A “guitar army” backed up with fiddle, mandolin, jaw harp and drums, Heartsfield is a slice of Americana." – Lee B. Roberts, The Journal Times
heartsfield.com

Whitey Morgan hails from Flint, Michigan. That’s nowhere near Nashvegas. The factories are closed, jobs are scarce and the people are bitter. Whitey sings songs these people can relate to. In the spirit of Waylon, Merle and Willie; Whitey’s melodies help people forget their problems for a few hours and serve as the guideline for drinking sorrows away. The halftime groove brings out everyone’s dancing shoes and while Whitey plays, the world is a better place.
whiteymorgan.com

Sunday, March 14
(JAZZ) John Burnett Orchestra, $10, 17 & under $5.
The John Burnett Orchestra specializes in '40s-style big band swing - keeping alive the sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and others. Each musician is highly professional and most have played with many of the top American big bands such as the Miller, Herman and Buddy Rich Bands. In addition to swing music the orchestra performs current big band jazz charts and many vocal ballads such as those of Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn.
The orchestra is directed by John Burnett; morning host of 90.9FM WDCB - Public Radio From College of DuPage - Chicago's leading jazz radio station.
johnburnettorchestra.com

Tuesday, March 16
Open Mic. in the SideBar, signup at 8pm, 9pm, free.

Wednesday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day!
  *Irish Stepdancing
  *Dooley Brothers
  *Tributosaurus becomes Van Morrison
  *Wishbone Food!
(more details tba)

Friday, March 19
(JAM BAND/ROCK) Mr. Blotto, 9:30pm, $10 TW/advance tickets.
Mr. Blotto takes the Jam band aesthetic into areas unfamiliar to the standard Jam Scene. They have been known to cover entire albums by Led Zepplin and the Who as well as perform entire shows of Country and Reggae. Artists as diverse as the Grateful Dead, the Flaming Lips, Willie Nelson and The Velvet Underground have seen their material interpreted by Mr. Blotto in the 2000+ shows the band has performed in the last 15 years, yet covers only pepper the bands hefty catalog of original material stemming from five studio albums and other unreleased crowd favorites.
mrblotto.com

Saturday, March 20
(JAZZ) The Chicago Cares Jazz Festival, 9pm, $15 min donation.

Sunday, March 21
(JAZZ) Prohibition Orchestra of Chicago, 6pm, $10.
"We are a 10-piece band dedicated to playing the music of the early big band era.  All of our arrangements were published from 1923 to 1934.  It's the real authentic sound, and we're the only Chicago-area band currently playing in this style."
prohibitionorchestra.com

Thursday, March 25
(COUNTRY) Country Night in Berwyn, 8pm, $5.

Friday, March 26
(ROCK) An Evening with The Radiators, 9pm, $20 TW/advance tickets.
This group could only come from New Orleans. Since its earliest settlement, the city developed a rich musical heritage that gave birth to 20th century American music. Musicians from this region were the first to incorporate African rhythms with Western melody. The Radiators, an extremely eclectic group of musicians, rely on a myriad of musical influences to create their own sound - "Fish Head Music". At a Radiators show it is not uncommon to hear blues, R&B, jazz, country, Zydeco, soul, swing, and even gospel filtering through their original New Orleans Rock N' Roll. The Radiators are a true rock n' roll band, loyal to the concept of ensemble playing. Their music is a living & breathing entity, and one never knows what will happen at a Radiators show... not even the Rads!
theradiators.org

*Also on Friday, March 26
(ROCK) Cannonball, 8pm in the SideBar, free!

Saturday, March 27
(ROCK) An Evening with The Radiators, 9pm, $20 TW/advance tickets.
Please see Friday’s show for description.

Sunday, March 28
(JAZZ) Bill O’Connell Orchestra, 6pm, $10, 17 & under $5.
A house band at FitzGerald’s since 1991, the Chicago Skyliners Big Band is one of the top big bands in Chicagoland. Besides original material by contemporary big band arrangers, the band also features the music of Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Blue Birdland recording artists. The band has recorded 7 CDs. Big band is alive and well. Celebrate this great art form most every Sunday at FitzGerald’s. On your way there, check Bill’s big band radio show Sundays at 5pm on 90.9FM WDCB.
chicagoskylinersbigband.com

Thursday, April 1
(ROCK) Donna the Buffalo, 8:30pm, $15 TW/advance tickets, $17 at the door.
Donna the Buffalo's eclectic and often socially conscious music has it's base in traditional mountain music and is infused with elements of Cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. The group’s core are vocalists Tara Nevins, who plays fiddle, guitar, accordion, and scrubboard, and guitarist Jeb Puryear. Keyboardist Dave McCracken, bassist Jay Sanders, and drummer Vic Stafford complete the ensemble.
donnathebuffalo.com

Friday, April 2
(ROCK) Wishbone Ash, 9pm, $20 TW/advance tickets.
wishboneash.com

Friday, April 9
(ROCK) Fred Eaglesmith, plus Ginn Sisters, 9pm, $15 TW/advance tickets.
The New Yorker magazine said it best: “If you’re missing Fred Eaglesmith, you’re really missing out.” His latest album, 2008’s Tinderbox, amply displays the qualities that have made Eaglesmith a true cult phenomenon. Nominated for a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year as well as making the short list for The Polaris Prize, the Top 10 Americana chart album explores spirituality, faith, life, love, labor and more within a full-blooded musical and lyrical experience that draws from folk, country, rock, gospel, old-time music, bluegrass and even spoken word to create a stunning contemporary roots music all its own.
fredeaglesmith.com | theginnsisters.com