Rosa's Blues Jam - Hosted by David Levit continues on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. House Band featuring:
Backline supplied. Bring your axe, sticks, and best Blues tunes to jam with your combo!
Wednesday 03/18/2026 Door Time 8:00 PM
House Band to perform at 9:15PM
Blues-Jam from 10 PM - 12:15 AM
House Band to perform at 12:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Admission is $20 at the door if available.
Free Admission to all performing musicians. Bring your instruments, Backline provided.
Mike Wheeler is a brilliant staple in the Chicago Blues community, playing and writing songs for a variety of Chicago artists including, Nellie Tiger Travis, Peaches Staten, Sam Cockrell, Demetria Taylor, Big Ray, and Cadillac Dave. Mike was a well-known member of Big James & The Chicago Playboys, a notable band in Chicago, and recorded five albums with the group.
Mike has traveled the world as an ambassador for Chicago Blues music. He's been to countries such as, Monaco, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Belgium, just to name a few. He's also shared the stage with the most elite musicians the world has known, including Willie Kent, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, George Benson, Jimmy Johnson, and Shemekia Copeland. Mike was inducted in the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2014.
Mike is a Delmark Records artist who is endorsed by Elixer Strings. You can find him at the finest Blues establishments like Rosa's Lounge, Blue Chicago, Matrix Club, Nick's Beer Garden, Buddy Guy's Legends, Kingston Mines, and The Hard Rock Casino. He recently played at the listing of Delmark Records' Holiday Blues/ Jazz Spectacular live show at Thalia Hall, and is on the short list of very prominent artists who opened for Buddy Guy during his January 2025 residency at Legends.
We are also thrilled to have our very own Tom Holland, AKA, "The Red Baron" back with us. Tom is well known for fronting his own band, Tom Holland and The Shuffle Kings. Years on the road with Blues legends such as John Primer (Muddy Waters last guitar player), Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, and most recently, James Cotton, have made Tom Holland one of the highest in demand Blues artists on the scene today.
Tom played on both of James Cotton’s Grammy Nominated releases, Giant, and Cotton Mouth Man, both on Alligator Records. In 2013 Tom took the band back into the studio, recording No Fluff, Just the Stuff, on his own E Natchel Records imprint, which garnered rave reviews. Tom was also inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2013. With over 24 years of stage experience under his belt, Tom Holland is, without a doubt one of the finest purveyors of classic Chicago Blues guitar styles.
Al Shorter comes from a bass playing lineage that is deep in the pocket of the Blues. He describes his styles and influences in the description of his 2009 Solo CD release.
SMOOTH GROOVING JAZZ BEST DESCRIBES MY STYLE BASS GUITARIST - AL SHORTER. He is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter. But considers himself primarily a bassist. Growing up in the Chicago Bronzeville area, he started playing at the age of 6. Influenced by his dad who played the piano and guitar, he started playing the guitar, bongos, drums and my love, the bass. He started his first band at the age of 12 with some neighborhood buddies. Their first song was Herbie Hancock's Chameleon. He has worked with independent producer Willie Keys and accompanied Al Rowe, Jodie Christian, and Gary Davis on bass. He has also played with various bands including B.O.S. and Planet Band.
As his professional career as a bassist has evolved, he has been strongly influenced by the jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Stanley Clark, Alphonso Johnson, Bunny Brunel, Jaco Postorius, Marcus Miller and The Yellow Jackets, just to name a few. While pursuing music, his priorities included his spiritual life. In his own words "The love of music helped me realize my talent is a direct reflection of the God who gave it to me. And for that I praise him daily. Alongside me is my beautiful, loving, spiritual wife, Elaine. We have a married daughter Shanda and 2 absolutely beautiful grandchildren. While keeping all things in perspective, I consider what most may call tribulations in the flesh, as a blessing from God".
Drummer Dave Levit is seen with different acts throughout the area including The Glenn Davis Band, Al Spears's Hurricane Project, BB & The Honey, The Zach Avery Band, The Windy City Rev Ups, The New Colony Six, Fifty-One Lincoln, Roger That!, Caesar Salad, Vintage Vinyl, The Danny Baron Band, The Chicago Blues Super Session, and more.
Some of the past artists you may have seen him with are: Sammy Fender, Ivy Ford, JB Ritchie, Darren Jay and the Delta Souls, Allister Perea, and The Mustangs. He is also an instructor offering lessons to select students as well. Some exciting new projects are always in the works. You will certainly hear about them as they break out.
The House Band this month is:
Tom Holland - Guitar & Vocals
Mike Wheeler - Guitar & Vocals
Al Shorter - Bass
David Levit - Drums, Promo, Off-Handed Comments, Life Changing Announcements, Spiffy Fedoras.
Since its establishment in 1984, Rosa's Blues-Jam has been a stage for iconic blues personalities such as Chico Chism, Buddy Scott, Valerie Wellington, James Wheeler, Melvin Taylor, Sugar Blue, Lil Ed, Willie Buck, Mary Lane, and many others. The Blues-Jam has always attracted seasoned, world-known recording artists as well as novices with a strong will to learn and network with other musicians. Our focus is on creating the best possible music. What sets Rosa's Blues-Jam apart is its commitment to providing direction and suggestions based on classic Blues songs, paying respect to the original black creators of the Blues. Musicians are welcomed to bring their instruments and immerse themselves in the blues, getting acquainted with the environment and with the intention of creating an unforgettable musical experience.
Event Venue
Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-3720, United States
Tickets
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