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The Madcats crew is so very "Thankful" to bring you this Fall edition of the Last Sunday of the Month Blues Jam. We are again delivering a fantastic lineup with this version of David Levit's Million Dollar Blues BandHouse Band: 6:30-7:30 pm
Jammers: 7:45-10:15 pm
House Band: 10:25-10:45 pm
Backline supplied. Bring your axe, sticks, and best Blues tunes to jam with your combo!
Our 1st featured musician this month is Zach Avery. Zach began playing in bars and venues at the age of 13. The Minnesota native was active in the Twin Cities’ local music scene, and began sitting in with bands and open jams throughout the area. In January of 2014 and 2015, he helped lead two different Blues bands down to Memphis, TN to partake in the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase. He moved to Chicago, IL in 2019 to study at Columbia College and quickly established roots in the local Blues and Rock scene. He formed a Funk & Soul band called “The Smokin’ Tones” (2016-2019) which played frequent shows around the Chicago area.
In 2019 he formed a new lineup with a new musical mission called
The Zach Avery Band, which continues to play Blues, Rock and Soul regularly around the Chicago area. As the lead singer and guitarist, his music is arranged to move the body and soul, while incorporating a guitar-driven, tight groove.
In addition to his own band, Zach has also made a name for himself as a hired gun, gigging guitarist for a variety of artists including Omar Coleman, Rick King’s Royal Hustle, Sheryl Youngblood, Black Diamond Sessions, and Darren Jay & The Delta Souls, to name a few.
In January 2023, at the age of 26, Zach Avery along with The Zach Avery band earned the opportunity to open for 8x Grammy Award Winner, Buddy Guy at the living legend’s club in Chicago, IL. Zach has played at countless Chicagoland venues including:
Chicago Blues Fest 2019 & 2022 / Buddy Guy’s Legends / Kingston Mines / House of Blues Chicago / Metro Chicago (Battle of the Bands).
Our 2nd featured musician this month is Sean McKee. Sean joins us and seeing him is always a thrill, not to mention playing with him. Sean Mckee, born 1996 in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, is a singer-songwriter/ guitarist with a passion for the Blues, vintage guitars, and classic cars. He is a Blues guitarist/ singer and songwriter from Chicago who fronts his own band under his name. The band specializes in Blues and Rock with a modern twist.
At the age of 8, Sean would play the drums in his grandfather’s basement. Able to play very simplistic beats by ear, he became interested in playing music. Although wanting to play drums, his father bought him an electric guitar, a gesture that seemed like a way to control the noise…however, by his mid-teens, Sean would be plugging into his ’71 Fender Super Reverb and cranking it up so loud that neighbors could hear it up to 2 blocks away. You can catch Sean with his band or firing it up for many performers around town and across the globe including The Black Diamond Sessions. He did top notch work in the 2023 Blues competition and almost took the national prize in the finals in Memphis
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.
In his own words "SMOOTH GROOVING JAZZ BEST DESCRIBES MY STYLE BASS GUITARIST - AL SHORTER I am a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter. But I consider myself primarily a bassist. Growing up in the Chicago Bronsville area, I started playing at the age of 6. Influenced by my dad who played the piano and guitar, I started playing the guitar, bongos, drums and my love, the bass. I started my first band at the age of 12 with some neighborhood buddies. Our first song was Herbie Hancock's Chameleon. I have worked with independent producer Willie Keys and accompanied Al Rowe, Jodie Christian, and Gary Davis on bass. I have played with various bands including B.O.S. and Planet Band. As my professional career as a bassist has evolved, I have 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 my music, my priorities included my spiritual life. 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 currently holding down the drum throne for The Zach Avery Band, The Windy City Rev Ups, and occasionally subbing in The Glenn Davis Band, BB & The Honey, The New Colony Six, Fifty-One Lincoln, Roger That!, Caesar Salad, Vintage Vinyl, The Danny Baron Band, The Chicago Blues Super Session, and many 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.
Zach Avery - Guitar & Vocals
Sean McKee - Guitar & Vocals
Al Shorter - Bass
Hosted by:
David Levit - Drums, Promo, Off-Handed Comments, Life Changing Announcements, Spiffy Fedoras.
This is another dynamite formation of David Levit's Million Dollar Blues Band! This remains the best Blues Jam you could ever dream of. Come and join the Madcats crew and let's welcome the Million Dollar Blues Band to the stage!
Keep your eyes on these events as we have a lineup of special guests in the coming months that will make your head spin. Want to know more? Ask Dave at the Jam!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Madcats, 117 W Slade St, Palatine, IL 60067-0414, United States,Palatine, Illinois
