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Rosa's Blues Jam, Hosted by Dave Levit: Live at Rosa's Lounge!Wednesday 08/20/2025 Door Time 8:00 PM
House Band to perform at 9 PM - 10:00 PM
Blues-Jam from 10:15 PM - 12:15 AM
Band to perform at 12:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Buy tickets for the 8:30 PM show. Stay all night!
Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door if available.
Free Admission to all performing musicians. Bring your sticks, axe, vocals, harp, horn...backline provided!
This month we are thrilled to feature one of Rosa's very own, Our featured performer this month is international Blues star, Lil’ Ed! Let’s start out by offering congratulation on being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. Also his new single with Ben Levin that is in regular rotation on Sirius XM Bluesville! "New Low" is being reviewed as "An electrifying synergy captured in a single take under the Vizztone banner, Ben Levin and Lil' Ed conjure the raw magic of their collaboration."
Born in Chicago on April 8, 1955 in the heart of Chicago’s tough West Side, Ed grew up surrounded by music. He first played guitar, then drums and bass by the time he was twelve. Ed and Pookie (Ed’s half-brother) received lessons and support from their famous uncle, J.B. Hutto. “J.B. taught me everything I know,” says Ed. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” Ed and Pookie spent their teen years making music together, and in 1975 formed the first incarnation of The Blues Imperials.
Lil’ Ed Williams came to the Blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter, J.B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the Blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil’ Ed is now universally hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials bassist, James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett, and drummer Kelly Littleton have remained together for nearly 30 years (an extraordinary feat for any group), fueling Ed’s songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship. They tour the country, continent, and the entire world. Please check them out at www.liledblues.com.
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.
Mike Scharf joins us on bass. Playing locally and internationally since 1988, it is safe to say, Mike Scharf is a veteran of the Chicago Blues scene.
Mike has backed many of the premier talents in Blues. In addition to playing for a few local artists, He currently can be seen performing with Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials locally, nationally, and internationally. He has also recorded or shared the stage with artists such as Lefty Dizz, Sam Lay, Barkin Bill, John Edelmann, Tom Holland, Son Seals, Pinetop Perkins, Jools Holland, Mississippi Heat, Lynwood Slim, Johnny Sansone, Morry Sochat, Mud Morganfield, Mark Wydra, Keith Scott, Dave Weld, The Big Swing, Hubert Sumlin, Shawn Pittman, Johnny Adams, Dave Specter, John Primer, Nick Moss, Bill Lupkin, Jon McDonald, Rick Kreher, Little Mike and the Tornadoes, Studebaker John, Rockin’ Johnny, and other Chicago Blues artists.
In addition to performing at top Blues venues throughout the US, Mike regularly tours the globe playing music in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, and India.
Mike has recorded for Blues Boulevard, Delmark, Johann’s Face, and Parsiful Records.
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.
Tom Holland - Guitar & Vocals
Lil' Ed Williams - Guitar, & Vocals
Mike Scharf - Bass
Hosted by:
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.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-3720, United States
Tickets
