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Generations of Chicago Blues: Ben Levin with special guest Dave Specter
Sun, 11 Aug, 7:00 PM CDT
Doors open
6:00 PM CDT
SPACE
1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
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Tickets are currently unavailable on TicketWeb
Description
Blues legend Bob Stroger, born on December 27, 1930, is considered one of Chicago’s top blues bassists. This Blues Music Award winner is respected and internationally well-known. A blues artist of this caliber is truly a rarity, and at almost the age of a century, he’s still performing over 200 performances a year. Bob was presented a proclamation award and the key to the city of Chicago, as a cherished, living legend. Bob has toured and performed with many prominent blues musicians in his lifetime, such as Sunnyland Slim, known for being one of the pioneers of Chicago blues, and Honey Boy Edwards, who performed with the legendary Robert Johnson. Bob has also had the honor of playing with Otis Rush, Eddie King, Rufus Forman, Koko Taylor, Pinetop Perkins, and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, to name a few. With all the achievements that Bob has received throughout his life, he still feels that his fans are his biggest reward and his love for music is what keeps him going each day. As he famously says, “I’m Bob Stroger and I am the Blues!”
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Ben Levin is a pianist/vocalist based in Cincinnati, OH. Ben has released four albums on the Vizztone Label Group and has three Blues Music Award nominations including best piano player of the year (2023, 2024).
Ben's latest album, "Take Your Time", released in October 2022, features collaborations with blues legends Lil' Ed, Bob Stroger, and Lil' Jimmy Reed. The album received daily airplay for two months on Sirius XM radio and reached number seven on Living Blues radio charts.
Based on the success of their single, "I've Been Drinking Muddy Water", Ben and Lil' Jimmy joined forces again in the studio with Ben producing and co-writing songs with Jimmy. "Back To Baton Rouge" was released in May 2023 on NOLA Blue and reached number two on Living Blues radio charts.
In October 2023, Ben released an EP, "Waiting Just For You", on Vizztone with Bay area-based jazz vocalist Stella Heath. They hired legendary Cincinnati jazz musicians Art Gore on drums (who has worked with artists such as George Benson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Lonnie Liston Smith) and Jim Anderson on bass (who has worked with artists such as Art Blakey, Ernestine Anderson, and Hank Crawford).
With Stella’s background in jazz and a love for blues, and Ben’s background in blues with a love for jazz, the two met musically in the middle. “Waiting Just For You” showcases four duets in a style where blues and jazz intersect to create a beautiful, classic sound.
Event Information
Age Limit
All Ages

Blues
Ben Levin
Ben Levin
Blues

Blues
Dave Specter
Dave Specter
Blues
Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and Delmark recording artist Dave Specter has been an integral part of the Chicago blues scene for the past 38 years. He’s performed in 19 countries and appears on over 50 recordings including his latest double album, Six String Soul 30 Years on Delmark. Dave is featured on compilation recordings with the likes of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. Before forming his own band in 1989, Specter toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe behind such blues greats as Son Seals, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Johnson, Sam Lay and Steve Freund. Dave has performed for the President of the United States, the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago.