7th Annual Joliet Blues Festival Entertainment Schedule
Jon Shain
3:30pm to 4:30pm
The Joliet Blues Festival is thrilled to have the incredibly talented Jon Shain join us as our opening artist. Hailing from Durham, NC, Jon is a veteran singer-songwriter who’s been turning heads for years with his lyrics, fiery acoustic guitar work, and his unique musical style – combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. Jon has released nine solo albums to date, along with two albums with duo partner FJ Ventre, a Jon Shain Trio live album, and one album of co-written songs with Joe Newberry. Shain’s newest album, Restless Soul Syndrome, recorded at Good Luck Studio this past year, was released April 9, 2024. Shain is also the author of the music books Gettin’ Handy With the Blues – a Tribute to the Legacy of W.C. Handy and Jon Shain’s Fingerstyle Guitar Method, both published by Mel Bay Publications. In 2019, Shain won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in the solo/duo category. To learn more about Jon’s music, see www.jonshain.com
Mondo Cortez and the Chicago Blues Angels
5:00pm to 6:00pm
Mondo Cortez became obsessed with the guitar early in his life. Growing up in Chicago led him to concerts featuring the blues legends like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Junior Wells and others. Mondo played with Nick Curran, Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Kid Ramos, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson and many others. He formed The Chicago Blues Angels in 1999 to play what he references as “American roots music ranging from rock ‘n’ roll. blues, rockabilly and a whole lotta soul”, which they play with great energy and enthusiasm.
Mondo and his band are regular performers at blues clubs in Chicago metro area, included Buddy Guy’s Legends, House of Blues and others.
In January of 2025 Cortez released a 13 song CD, Call On Me on Lux Records, that has received outstanding reviews from blues magazines and media nationally. For more information about Mondo and the band go to https://www.chicagobluesangels.com/.
The Stefan Hillesheim Band
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Originally from Koblenz, Germany Stefan Hillesheim studied classical guitar in Germany under Hubert Käppel – one of the most influential classical guitarists and teachers of his time. Stefan moved to the US in 2014 and played in several gospel, funk, rock, and R&B groups in southern California before he relocated to Chicago, IL in pursuit of a full-time career as a blues musician. Blues music has always been at the heart of Stefan’s passion for music and Chicago provided the ideal scene for him to grow as an artist. “I had once visited (Chicago) I knew I had to move here,” journeyman Hillesheim says. “It’s not just a stylistic choice - I really appreciate the culture of musicians sitting in with each other. It really is a most friendly competition.” Stefan is best known for his slide guitar playing, soulful vocals, and dynamic live performances. His signature guitar tone and driving rhythm guitar skills make Stefan a mesmerizing entertainer.
Stefan is a regular performer at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa’s Lounge and Reggies in Chicago. His recordings include Leaving You Behind (2019), On My Own (2020), Journey (live album from 2021) Doing Alright (2022), When I’m Gone (2023) and his most recent CD, Live at Rosa’s Lounge recorded in 2024.
For more information about Stefan visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stefan.hillesheim.3.
The Band includes Stefan on guitar and vocals, Darryl Wright on bass, and Dionte McMusick on drums.
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The Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band
8:00pm to 9:00pm
The Joliet Blues Festival is thrilled to present headliner The Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band. Sheryl is a singer, drummer, and songwriter touring and performing around the world throughout the year. She began singing and playing various instruments in the church, performing with world-renowned Grammy and Stella Award winning gospel recording group, Reverend Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers of Chicago (aka “The Tommies.”) In 1995 Sheryl Formed the “SAYYES!” band and an all-female band called Ultimately Blessed (aka “UB”.) She launched the Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band in 2013. Sheryl also sings and performs with world renowned group, Mississippi Heat.
Sheryl is a regular performer at BLUE CHICAGO, Buddy Guys Legend, Rosa’s Lounge, House of Blues, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S on Halsted, and has appeared at national and international blues festivals. Sheryl’s music can be regularly heard on blues radio. Her music has been given high praise in Blues magazines and digital media.
Her recordings include Stranger In My Bed and Live at House of Blues, the later including a stellar rearrangement of the Ella James hit, At Last. For more information about Sheryl and her music see https://sherylyoungbloodband.com/home
The band includes Sheryl Youngblood on lead vocals and drums, DuJuan Austin on drums, Andre Osis on guitar, lead and background vocals, John Caldwell, on bass, lead and background vocals, and Dave Holloway on the keyboard
