Club D on Location: Chicago Blues

James Wheeler Blues Jam
Rosa's Lounge (West Armitage Avenue/Humboldt Park)
August 31

recommended beverage: Wild Goose Amber
or Leinenkugel Red, both on tap there

One need not look far in Chicago for good blues; the city is covered with great clubs. But there's something truly special about finding an intimate locals place on the city's edge that's brimming with warmth and soul.

My friend Andy and I took a trip to the west side to hear the real deal, and so it was. James Wheeler's band is usually the house band at Rosa's on Thursday nights, but on this Friday night, the club had him do a special gig in honor of his birthday. A huge happy 70th birthday cake sat at the entrance, and everyone in the club helped consume it later in the night.

Wheeler, on guitar and vocals, was backed by Ariyo on keys; Tony Mangiullo on drums, and Vic Jackson on bass, with the occasional guest sitting in. The show was positively outstanding.

Equally fantastic was the club. Rosa's is a family establishment. Rosa, who was working behind the bar, has run the place for more than 20 years and is usually there each night it's open. Her daughter also was working behind the bar and her son, Tony, is the house drummer. At about 11:30 pm, a server walked around with plates of lasagna. She said, "Take some, it's free! Rosa made it herself."

While many think of Chicago's south side as the place to hear blues, this one club on the west side is well worth checking out for some down-home blues and hometown experience.