🎷🎸Chicago Summer Blues Bash: Melvin Taylor at Historic Chess Records 🌆🎶
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# 🎷🎸Chicago Summer Blues Bash: Melvin Taylor at Historic Chess Records 🌆🎶
🎵 Record Row Concert Series Featuring Melvin Taylor 🎵
Let’s head back to one of Chicago’s most historic music landmarks for an evening of incredible live blues at the legendary Willie Dixon Blues Garden next to the historic Chess Records building!
Join us for a FREE Record Row Concert Series performance featuring blues guitarist and vocalist Melvin Taylor. Known for his smooth, soulful style, powerful guitar playing, and unique blend of Chicago blues, jazz, and rock influences, Melvin Taylor has earned international recognition as one of the great modern blues performers.
This is a chance to enjoy live music, Chicago blues history, and great company at one of the most important addresses in American music!
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📅 WHEN:
🗓️ Thursday, July 23, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 WHERE:
Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation
2120 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL
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🎶 TENTATIVE ITINERARY:
🕕 6:00 PM — Meet & greet in the Blues Garden and grab seats
🎸 6:00–7:30 PM — Live concert featuring Melvin Taylor
🍻 7:30–9:00 PM — Optional socializing afterward
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🎷 ABOUT THE PERFORMER:
## 🎸 Melvin Taylor – Born to Play Guitar
Melvin Taylor is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock, blues, and jazz. Often called “a guitarist’s guitarist,” Melvin is a self-taught master influenced by legends such as Albert King, Jimmy Reed, Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix.
He has shared stages with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, George Benson, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. A prolific composer, producer, and recording artist, Melvin’s breathtaking solos and fluid style cross blues, jazz, rock, and soul.
His love of music shines through every performance, thrilling audiences around the world with his incredible technique, passion, and unmistakable sound.
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🪑 SEATING:
The Blues Garden typically provides chairs, but seating is first-come, first-served.
Feel free to bring:
✅ Lawn chair
✅ Folding chair
✅ Small cushion
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🏛️ ABOUT THE VENUE:
The concert takes place at the historic Chess Records building, one of the most important sites in American music history.
Founded by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, Chess Records became one of the most influential blues labels in the world, launching the careers of legends including:
🎸 Muddy Waters
🎸 Howlin’ Wolf
🎸 Chuck Berry
🎸 Bo Diddley
🎸 Little Walter
🎸 Etta James
Willie Dixon was one of the label’s most important creative forces, serving as a songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician behind many of Chess Records’ legendary recordings.
The famous studio at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue became internationally known and was even immortalized by The Rolling Stones, who recorded there during their first U.S. tour.
Today, the building is home to Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, which preserves and celebrates the history of blues music.
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🍽️ OPTIONAL DINNER & DRINKS AFTERWARD:
If anyone wants to continue the evening after the show, we may head to a nearby restaurant or bar for food and drinks.
Possible nearby options:
🍗 Jerk Villa Bar & Grill
🍺 Fatpour Tap Works
🍕 Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar
🍝 Il Culaccino
🍕 Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
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🚇 GETTING THERE:
CTA:
🚉 Red Line & Green Line nearby
🚌 #1 Bronzeville
🚌 #3 King Drive
🚌 #4 Cottage Grove
🚌 #29 State Street
CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Driving:
Metered street parking is usually available nearby, along with several parking garages.
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📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina: 312.835.4259
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⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY:
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cutoff to update RSVP is event start time
✔️ If you're running late, contact the host directly
❌ 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event restriction
🚫 Continual no-shows may result in removal from the group
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🎶 A night of free live blues, Chicago music history, and great company at one of the most legendary addresses in American music. Join us at Chess Records for a true Chicago experience! 🎸🔥