6th Annual Joliet Blues Festival 2024 Entertainment Schedule
Joe Asselin
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Currently based in Nashville, Joe Asselin is well known to Illinois blues fans. In the late 90’s he relocated from the East coast to Champaign, Illinois, where he performed with Kilborn Alley playing guitar, harmonica and crafting original songs. Their 2006 album "Put It in the Alley" was nominated for a Blues Foundation sponsored Blues Music Award. Their 2007 follow up album "Tear Chicago Down" was also nominated for a Blues Music Award. They recorded "Better Off Now" in 2010. In 2016, joined the William Marsala Blues Band and returned to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge. In 2019, the band released their first album "Stuck In the Blues: Live From Home". Asselin signed with Nashville Entertainment Weekly Records in 2018 released the EP "Flat Head Ford", again to critical acclaim. Performing with Lindsay Lilly as The Black Eyed Lillies, Joe returned to Memphis in 2020 at the International Blues Challenge. His 2021 album with Josh Spence made the top 20 of the Roots Music Report Contemporary Blues Chart and peaked at number 21 on the Living Blues Magazine Radio Charts.
In 2023, Joe won the Chicago Blues Challenge as a soloist and found himself once again in Memphis, doing what he does best – performing well-crafted blues that tell timeless stories of love, loss and redemption. Joe said of his songs, “Each piece I write I try to create a story. Colors to add to the piece comes from the tones and the overall finale composition… So it was important to my mind, body and spirit to start to create…”
You can learn more about Joe at his Wikipedia page, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/asselinjoe, and check out his videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@joeasselin3019
The Sean McKee Band
5:00pm to 6:00pm
Sean McKee is a dynamic and talented rising star who started on the drums at age 8 and quickly moved to guitar. By age 13 he was sitting in with Anthony Gomes. As a teenager, Sean befriended Chicago bluesmen Nick and Joe Moss, who became his blues mentors. The band formed in 2020. Each member brings their own unique style influenced by blues, soul, rock and jazz music.
In 2023 they released a CD EP “In This Life” following the album “So Long My Queen.” The band’s songs are also on Spotify. In 2022, the band won the Windy City Blues challenge and represented Chicago at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They regularly play at Buddy Guy’s and throughout the northern Illinois and south Wisconsin area.
The Sean McKee Band’s original songs are a testament to the highs and lows of life. Sean’s songwriting style spans love, loss and everything in between. Sean delivers them with a passion and energy that drives the band.
For more information about the band visit their website at www.seanmckeeband.com or their FACBOOK page at www.facebook.com/seanmckeeband
Band members are Sean McKee on guitar and vocals, Drew D’Astice on guitar, Chris Pecoraro on bass, and Danny Lozano on drums
Brother John Kattke with Marqueal Jordan
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Blues guitarist, singer and keyboard player Brother John has been a resident musician at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago for over 30 years. Joliet blues fans will remember his Saturday night residency at Sippin EZ on Chicago and Benton in Joliet! He has jammed with Eric Clapton, Steve Miller, auditioned for the Black Crowes (in 1998, but they hired Jimmy Page instead) and acquired endorsements from legendary musicians like George Benson, who saw Kattke play at the jam session he hosts at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Benson said of him: “You’re fearless! I thought I was fearless! You’re fearless!” John has played guitar or keyboards everywhere in Chicago and he frequently directs horn arrangements for blues bands and recordings. He has appeared on Toronzo Cannon’s, “The Chicago Way” and worked with Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Matt Murphy, Junior Wells, to name only a few. For more information about Brother John, see his website at www.johnkattke.com.
The brilliantly talented saxophonist and vocalist Marqueal Jordon's debut album “Catalyst” was released in 2013. His second project, “Intention & Purpose” came out in 2019 showcasing skills as a songwriter, arranger, and producer. The album yielded two Top 20 hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles Chart, “If You Only Knew” and “The Edge”. His third solo album “All We Have Are Moments” was released in 2022. For more information about Marqueal see his website at www.marquealjordan.com
The band includes Brother John Kattke on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Marqueal Jordan on saxophone and vocals, Chris Neal on Saxophone and Vocals, Nick Fane on bass, and Marty Binder on drums.
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The Mike Wheeler Band with Peaches Staten
8:00pm to 9:00pm
Mike Wheeler has a vast knowledge of music with a voice that's reminiscent of the late Sam Cooke. He’s a veteran of the Chicago blues community, playing and writing songs for a variety of Chicago artists including Peaches Staten, Nellie Tiger Travis, Sam Cockrell, Demetria Taylor, Big Ray & Cadillac Dave. Mike was a well-known member of Big James & The Chicago Playboys with whom he recorded five albums. He has travelled the world as an ambassador for Chicago blues music playing in Monaco, France, Switzerland, Spain and Belgium. Joliet Blues Festival fans will remember his set from our 2018 fest. He’s shared the stage with 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. For more information about Mike and the band see www.mikewheelerband.com.
Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member Peaches Staten has been delighting blues fans with her gritty vocals and explosive personality since 1997. She is a product of the Mississippi Delta and grew up in the thriving Chicago Blues scene. Her latest CD release is “Live From Legends” was recorded at Buddy Guys. Prior to that she released “Time Will Tell.” Peaches is a regular performer at Kingston Mines and Blue Chicago. For more information see www.peachesstaten.com
The band includes Peaches Staten on vocals, Mike Wheeler on guitar & vocals, Larry Williams on bass, Cleo Cole on drums and Ronnie Hicks on keyboards.
We are thrilled to have Peaches, Mike and the band as our headliners!
