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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Johnny Burgin Blues Revue Teams a Veteran Performer with Nationwide Up and Coming Artists: Ben Levin, Marie Martens and Joel Astley
Thursday November 17, 2022, 7:30 PM at Skokie Theatre
Skokie, IL – Johnny Burgin is a Chicago Blues guitarist, blues educator and Delmark recording artist. Johnny’s never-ending touring and recording schedule has led to diverse collaborations from Blues legends like Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Boy Arnold to the first American compilation of the underground Japanese blues scene, the No Border Blues CD and podcast. Now he’s bringing a revue of three up-and-coming national artists to Skokie on Thursday November 17, 2022. Burgin is joined by 22-year-old Ben Levin of Cincinnati; Seattle-based Joel Astley on harmonica; and guitarist/singer Marie Martens from Sweden.
Johnny Burgin Blues Revue with Ben Levin, Marie Martens and Joel Astley is at 7:30 PM at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077. Tickets are $25; show is all ages.
Ticket Link: https://skokietheatre.org/johnny-burgin.html
Although Johnny Burgin struck out to the West Coast and points beyond in 2016, he is well remembered for his tenure in Chicago. Rick Kogan of The Chicago Tribune stated, “there are few more passionate practitioners of this style” Burgin curated this night of Blues music for his beloved Chicagoland/North Shore audience, to showcase some of the exciting new talent he’s worked with in his travels.
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[Johnny Burgin shows] “stellar fretwork…gloriously loose, raw and immediate Chicago blues.”
– Vintage Guitar magazine
Praise for Ben Levin: “If you like traditional blues piano as much as I do, you’ll be beaming throughout.”
– Marty Gunther, Blues Blast magazine
About the Artists
Johnny Burgin
Johnny Burgin performs over two hundred shows a year regularly, internationally and coast to coast. Johnny grew up in Starkville, Mississippi and went to University of Chicago at 18, but ended up attending “blues university.” 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 as well as released ten of his own CDs. Johnny was nominated for a Blues Musical Award for Best Traditional Blues CD of 2017 for Howlin’ at Greaseland, a Howlin’ Wolf tribute.
In addition to his own shows, he has found the time to share his experience with a younger generation of blues players. He was the guitar instructor at the Chicago Blues Network and at The Pinetop Perkins Workshop Experience in Clarksdale Mississippi, which counts among its alumni Grammy winner Kingfish Ingram and BMA nominee pianist Ben Levin. Johnny has also collaborated and championed international blues players on his latest release No Border Blues Japan: the first American compilation of the underground Japanese blues scene. Before Johnny Burgin struck out to the West Coast and points beyond, he was dubbed ‘the working-est guitarist in Chicago’.
“Johnny’s ego-free dedication to the music is refreshing. In a world where everyone wants to be a superstar, Johnny shines brightly.” – Bill Wilson of Reflections in Blue
Ben Levin
Ben Levin is a 22 year old blues pianist/vocalist from Cincinnati, OH. Ben started playing professionally at age 11 with his father’s band, the Heaters, and now plays 100+ gigs a year while attending the University of Cincinnati. Ben has played prestigious shows/events in the U.S. and around the world such as the Cincy Blues Fest, the LaRoquebrou (France) International Boogie and Blues Festival, Swing Wesplaar (Belgium), and the Joe Bonamassa Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Cruise in the Mediterranean.
Ben has three releases to date on the Vizztone Label Group, and his 2019 release, Before Me, was nominated for a Blues Music Award. Ben’s upcoming album will feature elder statesmen of the blues Bob Stroger, Lil’ Ed, and Lil’ Jimmy Reed, along with Delmark recording artist Johnny Burgin.
“Ben Levin is a remarkable musician, as his latest recording demonstrates, highlighting substantial progress in all aspects of his artistry.” – Mark Thompson, Blues Music Magazine
Featured Videos:
Marie Martens
Marie Martens is a veteran of her native Stockholm blues scene. She came to the States in ’06 and self-released her debut Travelled in 2019. Blues fans love her tone control— there’s not a wasted note when she puts down the bass and lets loose on the slide guitar. Midwest Record stated, “she’s forging her own path, way cool stuff!”
Featured Video:
Joel Astley (Blues Harp)
Joel was a visual artist for 20 years before abruptly switching to music ten years ago. Since starting his first band in 2014, he has been performing around The Pacific Northwest and beyond, and has quickly risen to be a local favorite. He has been recognized by the Washington Blues Society with music awards including Best Blues Harmonica 2018-2021, Best Male Vocalist 2019 & 2021, Best Songwriter 2020-2021, and several more.
He recently recorded a debut CD slated for release in early ’23. Recorded at the famed Greaseland Studios in San Jose, CA, the album features the “Keepin’ the Blues Alive” award-winner Kid Andersen; Charlie Musselwhite’s rhythm section of June Core and Randy Bermudes, and Johnny Burgin on guitar.
“Joel you can write, you can play harp, and boy can you sing.” – Leslie Fleury KSER Blues Odyssey DJ
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Websites and EPK:
Press Contact:
Johnny Burgin, (630) 432-4940, rjohnnyband@gmail.com; Kevin Johnson, (773) 539-5001, Delmark Records, promo@delmark.com
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