Workshop, Concert To Bring 'Pure Chicago Blues' To Downtown Aurora

AURORA, IL — The Venue is bringing Chicago blues to downtown Aurora with a grant-funded workshop and masterclass April 25.

"The mission-based program consists of an interactive workshop with blues masters and mentors as well as a concert," Scott Tipping, artistic director at The Venue, said in a statement about Delmark Day. "This installment specifically will be a window in, so to speak."

Delmark Day is part of a new series funded by a Music in Action grant from Live Music Society, a nonprofit aimed at recognizing and protecting small venues and listening rooms across the country. The upcoming event at The Venue is the third in the masterclass series between the Fox Valley Music Foundation and Delmark Records.

Kicking off at 6 p.m. on the final Saturday of the month, Delmark Day will begin with a live blues rehearsal session with 18-year-old Jaden Allen. The interactive masterclass will allow guests to watch blues musicians hone their craft of authentic Chicago blues.

From there, Jimmy Burns and Soul Message Band will perform songs from the successful Delmark album "Full Circle" (2025). The album was nominated for Best Soul Blues Album of the Year by the Blues Music Awards. DJ and Delmark president Julia Miller will also spin records from the Delmark catalog between the two acts.

Elbio Barilari, artistic director at Delmark Records in Chicago, promises the evening to be "of pure Chicago blues."

Chicago blues musicians joining Delmark Day include Mike Wheeler on vocals and guitar, Roosevelt Purifoy on keyboard, Larry Williams on bass, Big Ray on drums, Chris Foreman on the Hammond B3 organ, Greg Rockingham on drums, and Greg Jung on sax.

Delmark Day was born from a conversation Tipping had with musicians Julia and Elbio Miller, who work with the record label, he told Patch.

"Delmark is a historic label in the city of Chicago and home to some of the most beloved blues recordings of all time," Tipping said. "The conversation actually began as something else but then spun into this idea that we could have a blues mentorship program with some of the best blues musicians in the world right here in Aurora."

The significance of the event is the access it gives blues lovers of all ages to legendary musicians and performances, according to Tipping.

"We've had younger musicians come out, blues lovers who aren’t musicians come out as well as people who are just interested in what the program offers," he said.

Tickets for the Delmark Day masterclass and concert start at $29 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.