Johnny Burgin's Blues Summit featuring Billy Flynn, Aki Kumar and Noah Wotherspoon

Johnny Burgin grew up in Starkville, Mississippi and went to University of Chicago at 18, but ended up attending "blues university" in Chicago's blues clubs for the following two decades. Since the early 90's Johnny has toured and recorded with blues legends such as Pinetop Perkins, Sam Lay, Tail Dragger and Billy Boy Arnold.  Johnny's a 23 BMA Nominee for Best Traditional Blues Artist.  Johnny's also a noted blues guitar teacher who leads the annual Chicago Blues Guitar Workshop and is well known for his weekly YouTube guitar lesson videos.  He's on the road most of the year worldwide, so this is a special Chicago homecoming!

Aki Kumar left his native home in Mumbai, India for the United States with the intention of working as a software engineer. Then he discovered the sounds of the blues, and his life changed dramatically.  Aki started a blues jam near his base in San Jose CA, and gradually transformed himself into masterful harmonica player, soulful vocalist, band-leader, drummer and producer.  By 2016, he began singing in Hindi and infusing blues with the vibrant songs of his Indian heritage, earning the title "King of Bollywood Blues" from the San Jose Mercury News.  With undeniable stage presence, Kumar brings a fresh perspective to the blues scene.

Billy Flynn is familiar to Chicago area fans from his many appearances at SPACE and at The Chicago Blues Festival with The Cash Box Kings, Kim Wilson, Mark Hummel, The Legendary Blues Band, and too many more to name.  His several Delmark releases have received much acclaim, and he won a Grammy for his work on the Cadillac Records soundtrack.  He's been praised by Blues Blast magazine as a "truly a renaissance blues man... one of the best at his craft".

By the age of 15, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Noah Wotherspoon was fronting his first band around his hometown of Dayton, Ohio.  Within a year’s time, they performed at The Chicago Blues Festival, where they would continue to appear for the next 8 years.  These appearances led to his recording debut on APO records, "Buzz Me", featuring Howlin’ Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin.  Noah's music can veer from traditional Chicago slide guitar into bluegrass and psychedelic flavors.  Always eclectic in and out of music, Noah is currently crafting a multi-media art project on the Jewish vaudeville comedian Ish Kabibble and directing a movie about another famous Dayton OH resident, the clairvoyant Edgar Cayce.  One thing is certain, Noah the child prodigy has matured into an intriguing and intelligent musician, on a path all his own.

All of these performers are teaching this week at The Chicago Blues Guitar Workshop, along with a veteran Chicago rhythm section of bassist Yoshimi Hirata and drummer Marty Binder.  Expect a great show!