Chi Blues Fest Salutes Alligator Records

The Chicago Blues Festival will include a celebration of the city's independent blues record label, Alligator Records, and a tribute to guitarist Otis Rush. The city announced the lineup Tuesday. The free festival runs June 10 through 12 in Grant Park. Shemekia Copeland and Curtis Salgado perform on the opening night in a salute to Alligator Records, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary. The second night's headline concert will be jazz and funk trombonist Fred Wesley and the New JBs. An all-star tribute to Otis Rush closes out the festival on the third night. The festival includes daytime stages hosting local and national musicians. In May and June there will be preview performances and film screenings at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and parks and libraries throughout the city.