Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials – 10/7

“Electrifying, raucous, pure Chicago blues…. Lil’ Ed is a guitarist extraordinaire….slashing slide and flamboyant stage persona.” – Chicago Tribune

“Rough and ready blues played with unmitigated intensity…Swirling, snarling, riveting slide…. The Blues Imperials pound out riffs and rhythms like they’re overdosing on boogie juice. Scorching and soulful, joyous and stomping.” – Living Blues

Lil’ Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J. B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials—bassist James “Pookie” Young (Ed’s half-brother), guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton—have remained together for nearly 30 years, fueling Ed’s songs with road-tested, telepathic musicianship.

The Big Sound Of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials is the band’s new album. Guitar Player calls them “a snarling boogie-blues machine…they blow down the walls.” Produced by Williams and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, the CD features Ed’s playing and singing alongside the Blues Imperials. Williams wrote or co-wrote all but two of the album’s 14 songs; the others were written by Uncle J. B. The Chicago Reader describes the music as “a soundtrack for dancing and celebration infused with a sense of hard-won survival.”

Background highlights:
- Born in Chicago on April 8, 1955, Ed was playing guitar, drums and bass by age 12.
- Ed and Pookie formed the first incarnation of The Blues Imperials in 1975 and played the West Side club circuit, including a first gig at Big Duke’s Blue Flame.
- Their studio break came via Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer and The New Bluebloods anthology; an early studio session yielded dozens of live-cut songs and led to the debut album Roughhousin’ (1986).
- Mike Garrett joined in 1987; Kelly Littleton joined in 1988. The 1989 album Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits helped open doors and build their touring reputation.
- They have appeared at many festivals (including the Chicago Blues Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Portland Waterfront Blues Festival and others) and performed internationally.
- The band released eight Alligator albums between 1986 and 2012. Notable mentions: Rattleshake (2006) and Jump Start (2012). They have received press attention and awards, including Living Blues Best Live Performer (2011–2013) and Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year (2007, 2009). The Associated Press said, “Williams fills Chicago’s biggest shoes with more life and heat than anyone on stage today.”

“We're not band members,” says Williams, “we're family, and families stay together.” Night after night, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials bring their big, dynamic Chicago blues sound to fans.

Event details:
- Date: October 7
- Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Doors: 5:30 PM, Showtime: 7 PM)
- Event Category: Live Music
- Tags: Blues, Blues Imperials, Chicago Blues, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials

Venue:
- The 443 Social Club & Lounge
- 443 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY 13203

Ticket info:
- The 443 is an intimate listening room with table service that seats 75 people.
- Most seats are sold as "Tables for Two" — the ticket admits TWO people.
- There are a limited number of single seats; single attendees may share a table with other single attendees.
- Multiple tickets purchased under the same name will automatically be seated together (up to 6 people).
- Requesting a specific table is a perk reserved for VIP Patron members.
- If anyone in your party needs special seating arrangements (walker, cane, service animal, wheelchair, low table requirement, or you want to be seated with another party), please EMAIL US after you place your order.

Links:
- Website: https://www.liledblues.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilEdandBluesImperials/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Rb0PWL2XJTCKrhZ2FSd5E?si=KS9-tgjwR5KrY3i2j0KUrw
- Tickets (Eventbrite): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lil-ed-the-blues-imperials-at-the-443-tickets-1994583338458?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Video: https://youtu.be/fU4aw907pT4?si=GhXqnsPavaE2mxta