Madison Blues Society

05/02/2026

Blues lineup this May 1- 8
(Feel free to list your shows in the comments !! Thanks !)

Friday, May 1, 2026
• Chris Duarte Group (high-energy rockin’/punk blues guitar-driven blues)�Venue: The North Street Cabaret�Address: 610 North Street, Madison, WI 53704�Website / Show Listing: Eventbrite tickets or northstreetcabaret.com�Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Troubadours of Rhythm (blues/roots/jazz-infused rhythms, dance-friendly)�Venue: The Bur Oak�Address: 2262 Winnebago Street, Madison, WI 53704�Website / Show Listing: theburoakmadison.com/shows (or specific Troubadours page)�Time: Doors ~7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Cash Box Kings w/ Queen Lee Kanehira (authentic Chicago houserockin’ blues, Alligator Records artists)�Venue: Cafe Carpe (Fort Atkinson – ~38 miles)�Address: 18 South Water Street West, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538�Website / Show Listing: cafecarpe.com/event/cash-box-kings-6/ or Bandsintown�Time: 8:15 PM ($25; note: listed as sold out in some spots but confirm)

• Lynda & the Zeros (R&B/soul with blues elements; strong blues-adjacent at a blues-hosting venue)�Venue: Bernell’s�Address: 2513 Seiferth Road, Madison, WI 53716�Website / Show Listing: isthmus.com/events (Bernell’s page) or Bernell’s Facebook�Time: 8:00 PM (possible $12 cover; dancing encouraged)

• Doug White Quartet (jazz with blues/roots overlaps; Madison jazz scene staple)�Venue: Cafe Coda�Address: 1224 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703�Website / Show Listing: cafecoda.club/events-1�Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM ($20)

• Open Jam (blues/roots/jazz open mic style)�Venue: Imaginary Tea (Waunakee – ~15 miles)�Address: Waunakee, WI (exact on Isthmus)�Website / Show Listing: isthmus.com/events/open-jam-fridays-imaginary-tea�Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, May 2, 2026

• Kenny Reichert Trio (Prairie Grass / blues-roots/jazz-adjacent)�Venue: The North Street Cabaret�Address: 610 North Street, Madison, WI 53704�Website / Show Listing: northstreetcabaret.com or calendar pages (e.g., meetdaisy.co)�Time: Evening (typical 8:00 PM start; confirm exact)

• Sunny Gable / Carl Koeppel (roots/blues/rock blend)�Venue: Cafe Carpe (Fort Atkinson – ~38 miles)�Address: 18 South Water Street West, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538�Website / Show Listing: cafecarpe.com/events/month/2026-05/�Time: 8:00 PM

• Automatic Lover (funk/R&B/world grooves – blues-adjacent soulful rhythms)�Venue: Bernell’s�Address: 2513 Seiferth Road, Madison, WI 53716�Website / Show Listing: isthmus.com/locations/bernells/�Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Sunday, May 3 – Monday, May 4, 2026

No confirmed blues, R&B, roots, or shuffle-specific shows or jams in Madison or the 50-mile radius. Venues like Cafe Coda, High Noon Saloon, or The Bur Oak may have unlisted jazz/roots sets—check Isthmus.com music calendar or venue Facebooks daily.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

• ZZ Top with McKinley James (classic blues-rock/boogie legends)�Venue: Orpheum Theater�Address: 216 State Street, Madison, WI 53703�Website / Show Listing: madisonorpheum.com or JamBase/Ticketmaster�Time: Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

No confirmed blues or blues-adjacent shows.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

• Blues Jam with Tate & the 008 Band (classic blues sit-in jam – recurring weekly tradition)�Venue: Bernell’s�Address: 2513 Seiferth Road, Madison, WI 53716�Website / Show Listing: isthmus.com/events/blues-jam-tate/ or Bernell’s Facebook�Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Chris Trapper & Ari Hest with Pete Muller (folk/roots with strong blues/soul elements)�Venue: The Bur Oak�Address: 2262 Winnebago Street, Madison, WI 53704�Website / Show Listing: theburoakmadison.com/shows/chris-trapper-2026�Time: Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM ($30 adv / $35 door; seated)

* Tommy Castro at Stoughton Opera House.

Friday, May 8, 2026

• Mdou Moctar (solo) (hypnotic desert blues/rock – Saharan guitar mastery)�Venue: Majestic Theatre�Address: 115 King Street, Madison, WI 53703�Website / Show Listing: majesticmadison.com/event/mdou-moctar-solo/ or Ticketmaster�Time: Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM (all ages)

• Bill Roberts Combo (groove-driven jazz-blues; award-winning blues album style)�Venue: Cardinal Bar�Address: 418 East Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703�Website / Show Listing: thecardinalbarmadison.com/events or madisonjazzcalendar.com/event/bill-roberts-combo-70/2026-05-08/�Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (happy-hour style)

Cafe Coda possible May 8 Paul Silbergleit Trio).

Additional Notes
• For real-time updates or unlisted open jams/R&B/roots nights, monitor:

https://isthmus.com/search/event/music-calendar
search blues music

Concerts and shows in clubs and venues large and small, throughout the Madison area, even the restaurant gigs, in Dane County and Madison, Wisconsin.

05/02/2026

Happening Now! North Street Cabaret
Booked by Al Rasho

Chris Duarte Group (high-energy rockin’/punk blues guitar-driven blues)
�Venue: The North Street Cabaret�Address: 610 North Street, Madison, WI 53704�Website / Show Listing: Eventbrite tickets or northstreetcabaret.com�Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Bio & Background

Chris Duarte (born February 16, 1963, in San Antonio, Texas) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for his high-energy, fiery Texas blues-rock. He leads the Chris Duarte Group, a power trio that has been active since the early 1990s out of Austin. Duarte gained early buzz after a standout South by Southwest performance and signed with Silvertone Records. His 1994 album Texas Sugar/Strat Magik sold over 100,000 copies in the U.S. He has released multiple albums (including a recent one noted in promo for this tour) and is signed to labels like Shrapnel/Mascot in various eras.

He has shared stages or drawn comparisons to legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan (Texas blues influence), Jimi Hendrix (expressive solos and intensity), and more aggressive rock-blues players.

Duarte describes his style as “rockin’ blues” or “punk blues” — ferocious, high-octane guitar work that blends blues foundations with rock ’n’ roll energy, jazz phrasing, and raw power.

Expect bleeding-finger solos, houserockin’ grooves, and a no-holds-barred live show. He primarily performs as a trio and is praised for being a stronger live performer than in the studio. 

Event Details (May 1 Show)
• Venue: The North Street Cabaret
• Address: 610 North Street, Madison, WI 53704
• Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM (3-hour set)
• Tickets: Available via Eventbrite (sales noted as ended in some views, but check door/venue for availability or updates) or the venue site. Typical price around $20.

• Promo Note: “Some guitarists play hard. Chris Duarte plays until his fingers bleed. His first album in nearly a decade just dropped.” Perfect for blues fans seeking intense, authentic Texas-style blues-rock. 

The show is presented by Al Rasho at this roots-focused cabaret venue known for blues, jazz, and Americana. It fits perfectly into Madison’s blues scene (pair it with other May 1 options like Cash Box Kings in nearby Fort Atkinson if traveling).

For more on Duarte: Check his official site (duarte.rocks) for bio, tour dates, or music. If you need setlist history, album recommendations, or similar artists for your group’s calendar, let me know!

The North Street Cabaret is an intimate and inclusive music venue in Madison, Wisconsin.

05/02/2026

Gamma Ray Bar will host Live Blues May 13th, Wednesday,
Blues Jam with The Midnight Monarchs.

Jazz/Funk Fusion tonight at The GammaRay Bar in Madison

**Wampus Milk Daddies (5/1): A six-piece rock and jazz fusion band known for melodic tunes and "funky grooves".

**Lowboy (5/1): A jazz fusion band featuring intricate melodies and improvisational jams.

** Wurk (5/1): A funk-fusion group inspired by bands like Snarky Puppy and Lettuce.

04/15/2026

Check this out!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CWawgZKhA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

You won't want to miss this!!

04/14/2026

Reverend Raven & Westside Andy with the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys live at the North Street Cabaret on Thur, April 23. Be there or be square! 🎶😎

Home page of Reverend Raven, a blues group from Milwaukee. Original Blues * Traditional Grooves

04/02/2026

Blues Weekend Roundup — Upcoming Shows!

For the weekend of April 3-5, 2026, in Madison, WI area, catch live blues with Eddie 9V at the High Noon Saloon, BlueStem Jazz featuring Tropos at Audio for the Arts.

Thursday

Thursday April 2, 2026 7:00 PM
Tate 008 Band @ Bernell’s
No cover, $5 donation appreciated.
2513 Seiferth Rd Madison, WI 53716

Thursday April 2, 2026 7:00 PM CDT
The Jimmys at the Ohana Kitchen
200 Fifth Ave, New Glarus, WI 53574

Thursday April 2, 2026 8:00 PM CDT
Eddie 9V: High Noon Saloon, playing blues/roots.

Thursday April 2, 2026 6:00 PM
Open Blues Jam @ Bad Brads Wing and a Prayer
911 Rockport Rd, Janesville, WI 53548

Thursday April 2, 2026 8:00 PM
Jeffrey Lewis @ The Bur Oak
2262 Winnebago St, Madison, WI, US

Friday

Friday, April 3 12 noon & 8:00 PM
Dirtwire & Will Evans: At the Majestic Theatre ($25.00). Dirtwire blends traditional instrumentation and world percussion with electronic beats and blues soundscapes. Show starts at 12:00 PM (tour) and 8:00 PM.
115 King St., Madison, WI, US

Friday, April 3 12 doors open 7 PM Shows 7:30 PM & 9:15 PM
Shoel3ss Trio with Jazz Hams: At the Gamma Ray Bar.
This show features a mix of funk-infused blues and jazz. Doors open at 7:00 PM;
Jazz Hams at 7:30 PM,
Shoel3ss at 9:15 PM.
Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
121 W Main Street, Madison, WI

Friday, April 3 at 7:00 PM
Honey Pies: At Lakeside St. Coffee House at 7:00 PM.
A regular local favorite often performing roots and acoustic blues styles.
402 W Lakeside St Madison, WI 53715

Friday, April 3 at 8:00 PM
The Jimmys 🎵 First Friday Swing Dance @ 8:00 PM
Waukesha Elks Lodge #400, 2301 Springdale Rd
Waukesha, WI 53186

Saturday

Saturday April 4 at 8:00 PM
BlueStem Jazz featuring Tropos: At Audio for the Arts
While jazz-focused, these sessions often lean into the blues-improvisation roots common in Madison's intimate venues.
7 S Blair St Madison, WI 53703

Saturday April 4 at 9:00 PM
Granny Shot: At the Crystal Corner Bar at 9:00 PM.
A high-energy cover band that often incorporates blues-rock classics into their 70s-00s rotation.
1302 Williamson St Madison, WI 53703

Sunday, April 5

Sunday, April 5 Doors at 6:30 PM, show at 7:30 PM.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: At Atwood Music Hall (moved to this date). Their vocal style shares deep soulful roots often appreciated by blues enthusiasts.
1925 Winnebago St Madison, WI 53704

Upcoming Events

Tuesday April 07, 2026
Damn Tall Buildings @ The Bur Oak, Madison
1925 Winnebago St Madison, WI 53704

Wednesday April 08, 2026
Marissa Nadler @ The Bur Oak, Madison
1925 Winnebago St Madison, WI 53704

Thursday April 9th, 2026
Mannish Boys The Bur Oak

Sunday April 12, 2026
David Wilcox @ The Bur Oak, Madison
1925 Winnebago St Madison, WI 53704

Thursday April 16, 2026
Ruen Brothers @ The Bur Oak, Madison
1925 Winnebago St Madison, WI 53704

Sunday April 19, 2026
Ivy Ford @ High Noon Saloon
1925 Winnebago St Madison, WI 53704

Tuesday April 21, 2026 @ 8 PM
Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee Paul Filipowicz
Crystal Corner Madison
1302 Williamson St Madison, WI 53703

April 30
The Bruce Katz Band @ High Noon Saloon

02/04/2026

Saturday, Bernell's Rare Element Funk! One of the best musical experiences in our town!

Join us Saturday! We’re celebrating!