The 22nd Annual Chicago Blues Festival drew record-breaking crowds of blues enthusiasts who found shade under huge tree branches, behind park benches, and in the cover of buildings blocking out the sun as temperatures rose to 90 degrees for most of the weekend.

Fans enjoyed music from six stages arranged about the park with performances by some of the greatest blues legends such as: David “Honey Boy” Edwards, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Pinetop Perkins, Homesick James, Koko Taylor, Aaron Moore, Henry Gray, Carey Bell, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Stroger, and Willie ”Big Eyes” Smith.

Some of Chicago’s very own locals performed as part of the Harmonica Project, including Little Addison, Dusty Brown, Larry Cox, Russ Green, and Omar Coleman. Koko Taylor, Mavis Staples and Buddy Guy also hail from Chicago.

Artists who performed for the first time on various stages were -- Sharrie Williams, Eddie Kirkland, Calvin Cooke, John Mayall, George Stancell, and Fernest Arceneaux.