The Chicago Summer Tour is led by one of the brightest talents of the new blues scene, Stephen Hull, just 27 years old, accompanied by his band Trio Experience and two major figures of the Chicago scene: Sheryl Youngblood and Johnny Iguana.
Hailing from Wisconsin, Stephen never received formal musical training. Raised in a family where music was a constant in everyday life, he picked up his first guitar at the age of 14 and hasn’t put it down since. As for his influences, Stephen cites Albert King as his main inspiration, along with other legends such as B.B. King and Elmore James.
Over the past few years, Sheryl Youngblood has made a strong name for herself in the Chicago blues scene with standout appearances at the city’s blues festival and powerful, high-energy performances at clubs throughout the season, including Rosa’s Lounge, Blue Chicago and Legends.
Yet the singer and drummer is far from a newcomer. Sheryl spent many years singing with the renowned gospel group Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers of Chicago, better known as The Tommies, with whom she won a Grammy Award.
Now in his sixties, Johnny Iguana has lived many different lives within the blues world. A native of New Jersey, his first tours were in the 1990s, when he accompanied Junior Wells around the world. Johnny later played and recorded with artists such as Little Milton, Koko Taylor and Carey Bell, before launching his solo career with his band The Claudettes in 2010. It was in 2020 that he finally released his first album as a leader on the Delmark label .
Stephen Hull (guitar & vocals)
Cresenciano Cruz (bass)
Victor Reid (drums)
Sheryl Youngblood (vocals)
Giles Corey (guitar & vocals)
Johnny Iguana (keyboard)