Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
In Memoriam: Cassandra Wilson, 1955–2026
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Soul singer Mavis Staples is set to headline the 2018 Chicago Blues Festival.
(Photo: Courtesy Chicago Blues Festival)Mavis Staples tops the bill for this year’s Chicago Blues Festival at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
The festival, which began in 1984, is set to run June 8-10 and features Delmark Records marking its 65th anniversary with a spate of performances on Friday. A tribute to Little Walter is on tap for Saturday. And Fantastic Negrito, who won NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Contest in 2015, is among the Sunday performers, with Staples headlining the evening. The Chicago soul singer issued If All I Was Was Black on ANTI- Records in November.
A more detailed line-up is below.
Friday (65th anniversary of Delmark Records Celebration)
5:30-6:15 p.m.: Corey Dennison Band
6:30-7:15 p.m.: Mississippi Heat with guests Billy Flynn and Giles Corey
7:30-9:30 p.m.: Tribute to Those Who Came Before and Bob Koester
Saturday
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Selwyn Birchwood
6:45-7:45 p.m.: Willie Clayton
8-9:30 p.m.: Little Walter Tribute (featuring Billy Branch, Corky Siegel, Rick Estrin, Sugar Blue and more)
Sunday
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Fantastic Negrito
6:45-7:45 p.m.: Kenny Neal
8-9:30 p.m.: Mavis Staples
For more information about the festival, visit
its website here. DB
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
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Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
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