Day three of the 2026 Chicago Blues Festival featured beautiful sunny, hot weather. I was unfamiliar with either of the musicians performing before Billy Branch with Sons of the Blues, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Kenny Neal, which is honestly a treat. First up was Canadian singer Shakura S'Aida, who took the roof off with a soulful set from her well-established career. S'Aida was resplendent in a red mini dress with red satin short boots with stiletto heels. Her gorgeous silver curls shone like a crown.
S'Aida's repertoire included a Blues-infused, "Don't Walk Out That Door,""Lay Me Down in a Bed of Roses and Wash My Soul," before launching into a funky and seductive "Geechee Woman." She and I are close in age, and I was in awe of her energy. She ended songs with a defiant high kick. S'Aida gave a shout-out to Chicago and to one of my favorite Chicago performers, Melody Angel, and her rise as an important activist. Her music is about empowering women, and she embodies a bold, powerful woman. I loved the snarl in her voice when she sang "You Been Tryin' to Creep Out." S'Aida also delved into the spiritual with a Gospel -infused "Clap Your Hands and Moan." In the Black church, clapping is a way of shouting at the devil, and moaning is prayer when the words cannot be found. It may have been her first time at the Chicago Blues Festival, but when S'Aida left the stage, the crowds were cheering. I will wager that it won't be the last time.
The next act was Ruthie Foster by way of Texas. She played an acoustic guitar that she calls Pearl and sang with a rich gospel alto. She opened with one of my favorite Gospel tunes, "Just Above My Head." It was a beautifully nostalgic moment, and then, she and her band lit into "That's Alright," made famous by Elvis Presley on Sun Records, which happens to be Foster's label. Her band is tight with a driving bass and a solid backbeat. She was joined by bassist Larry Fulcher, who also played with Taj Mahal for the festival finale. Foster also sang the Staples Singers' classic, "You Gotta Have Faith," and the very moving "No More Ghettoes for Me."
Both S'Aida and Foster gave some praise and acknowledgment to the ASL interpreters. The quartet of interpreters was new to the festival this year, and they were fantastic. Foster signed along with one of the most animated. Foster ended her fantastic set with "Mileage," "Healing Time," and "Take It Easy." It is especially encouraging to see more of the layers of the Blues world, the road veterans who are playing the clubs and writing new music.
Billy Branch, an extremely talented harmonica player with a unique style, was raised in California, but has made Chicago his home. I have seen him in concert quite often at various venues around town and from the moment he plays, it's transcendental. His eyes blaze, he chops at the harmonica, and then snaps out of the trance to smile at the audience or to sing. Speaking of singing, Branch possesses a cool Blues Voice and a great sense of humor. He introduced one of my favorite songs as a family-friendly tune for your next cookout. "Baby Let Me Butter Your Corn" got the crowd rocking and gleefully singing along.
"The Blues Is My Biography," "I've Been Thinking," and "If You Don't Love the Blues, You Got a Hole in Your Soul" lifted people out of their seats and up from their blankets on the lawn. He brought out two guests to celebrate with him on the Pritzker stage. Branch calls Ronnie Baker Brooks his little brother, and the men have a genuine respect and brotherly bond. He called guitarist Kenny Neal "the son I never had" when he introduced him. "I Am the Harmonica Man," "Ready," and "Hoodoo Man" turned up the heat.
Branch is known for bringing Blues to the schools in Chicago for over 50 years. I find this to be one of the greatest treasures that a person can share. Learning music changes lives, makes kids smarter (I dare you to argue with me on that), and can save lives. Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks wrote a song together, "Begging for Change," which premiered at the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival. As he did in 2025, he brought the West Chicago Youth Gospel Choir to the Pritzker stage to perform before thousands of people. Can you imagine how music has changed those children? I saw some people touching their hearts and holding each other as they swayed to the music and sang the chorus. He also invited Shakura S'Aida and Ruthie Foster to join them for the big finale. I felt optimistic for positive change as I left Millennium Park.
It was another fantastic day at the Chicago Blues Festival. No rain and only good vibes. Watch this space for my coverage of the festival finale featuring the legendary Taj Mahal.
Did you enjoy this post and our coverage of Chicago’s arts scene and sometimes beyond? Please consider supporting Third Coast Review’s arts and culture coverage by making a donation by PayPal. Choose the amount that works best for you, and know how much we appreciate your support!
