About Maxwell Blues Jam

The blues has a long common history with the Maxwell Market, and was often the first stop for blues migrants after getting off of the Illinois Central Railroad train at Central Station, Roosevelt and Michigan on Chicago’s south lakefront.  The Market served as a proving ground for many musicians, and some of the most famous played there, including Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Arvella Gray, Jim Brewer, and the longtime dean of the Market, Robert Nighthawk.  Others who built their careers on Maxwell Street included (of course) Maxwell St. Jimmy Davis, Eddie Burks (whose nickname JT stood for one politically-incorrect appellation for the Market itself).

In recent years the Sunday Market has moved around a bit, and the blues tradition has suffered and waned, but never completely died.  We’re happy to be working to renew blues on Maxwell Market at its current location, and we’re proud that many local blues artists have been so eager to participate.

You can keep tabs on the developments here by joining the email list, but you can also experience the continuing vibrancy of the Market itself when you’re in Chicago on Sunday morning, with the Maxwell Market Shuttle.  The shuttle departs from several downtown locations and will take you to the historic Market location, and pick you up after you’ve savored some of the traditions at the present-day Market.

Round-trip tickets are just $30, and include a narrated tour with the historical background of the relationship of the Market to blues, and you can make the round-trip in about 2 hours total.  Experience a real piece of Chicago history at the Maxwell Sunday Market — enjoy the sights, sounds, and delicious smells the Maxwell Market District has to offer.

To get a ticket for the next Maxwell Shuttle, click Maxwell Blues Jam Shuttle Info & Tix