The Madcats Blues Jam ft. Stefan Hillesheim, Tom Holland, and Al Shorter, hosted by David Levit

Name: The Madcats Blues Jam ft. Stefan Hillesheim, Tom Holland, and Al Shorter, hosted by David Levit
Start: 2025-02-23T18:30:00-06:00
End: 2025-02-23T23:00:00-06:00
Location: Madcats

Schedule

Sun Feb 23 2025 at 06:30 pm to 11:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

Madcats | Palatine, IL

The Madcats crew is thrilled to bring you this February 2025 edition of the Last Sunday of the Month Blues Jam. We are celebrating the 12th Anniversary of the Blues Jam!! We are again delivering a fantastic lineup with this version of David Levit's Million Dollar Blues Band
House Band: 6:30-7:30 pm
Jammers: 7:45-10:15 pm
House Band: 10:25-10:45 pm
Backline supplied. Bring your axe, sticks, and best Blues tunes to jam with your combo!
We are so happy to have Tom Holland, AKA, "The Red Baron" back with us. Tom is well known for fronting his own band, Tom Holland and The Shuffle Kings. Years on the road with Blues legends such as John Primer (Muddy Waters last guitar player), Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, and most recently, James Cotton, have made Tom Holland one of the highest in demand Blues artists on the scene today.
Tom played on both of James Cotton’s Grammy Nominated releases, Giant, and Cotton Mouth Man, both on Alligator Records. In 2013 Tom took the band back into the studio, recording No Fluff, Just the Stuff, on his own E Natchel Records imprint, which garnered rave reviews. Tom was also inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2013. With over 24 years of stage experience under his belt, Tom Holland is, without a doubt one of the finest purveyors of classic Chicago Blues guitar styles.
Stefan Hillesheim is a German Native who moved to Los Angeles, California at age 27 to attend Musicians Institute (GIT) where he was awarded "Most Improved Student" of the Year 2015. Soon after he began to play renowned gospel churches and live music venues around the country. His signature guitar tone and driving rhythm guitar skills make Stefan a high-demand session player.
Stefan has performed and recorded with many notable artists such as: Bobby Kimball (Toto), Ellis Hall (Tower of Power), Brent Carter (Average White Band), Emerson Cardenas (Santana), Frank Nitty (2Pac), James Fortune.
In 2022 Stefan relocated to Chicago in pursuit of his love of the blues. The Chicago blues community welcomed Stefan with open arms - Stefan is best known for his slide guitar playing, soulful vocals and dynamic live performances. Stefan's main musical influences are Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and Albert King.
Al Shorter comes from a bass playing lineage that is deep in the pocket of the Blues. He describes his styles and influences in the description of his 2009 Solo CD release.
In his own words "SMOOTH GROOVING JAZZ BEST DESCRIBES MY STYLE BASS GUITARIST - AL SHORTER I am a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter. But I consider myself primarily a bassist.
Growing up in the Chicago Bronzeville area, I started playing at the age of 6. Influenced by my dad who played the piano and guitar, I started playing the guitar, bongos, drums and my love, the bass. I started my first band at the age of 12 with some neighborhood buddies. Our first song was Herbie Hancock's Chameleon. I have worked with independent producer Willie Keys and accompanied Al Rowe, Jodie Christian, and Gary Davis on bass. I have played with various bands including B.O.S. and Planet Band. As my professional career as a bassist has evolved, I have been strongly influenced by the jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Stanley Clark, Alphonso Johnson, Bunny Brunel, Jaco Postorius, Marcus Miller and The Yellow Jackets, just to name a few. While pursuing my music, my priorities included my spiritual life. The love of music helped me realize my talent is a direct reflection of the God who gave it to me. And for that I praise him daily. Alongside me is my beautiful, loving, spiritual wife, Elaine. We have a married daughter Shanda and 2 absolutely beautiful grandchildren. While keeping all things in perspective, I consider what most may call tribulations in the flesh, as a blessing from God."
Drummer Dave Levit is currently holding down the drum throne for The Zach Avery Band, The Windy City Rev Ups, and occasionally subbing in The Glenn Davis Band, Al Spears's Hurricane Project, BB & The Honey, The New Colony Six, Fifty-One Lincoln, Roger That!, Caesar Salad, Vintage Vinyl, The Danny Baron Band, The Chicago Blues Super Session, and many more.
Some of the past artists you may have seen him with are: Sammy Fender, Ivy Ford, JB Ritchie, Darren Jay and the Delta Souls, Allister Perea, and The Mustangs. He is also an instructor offering lessons to select students as well. Some exciting new projects are always in the works. You will certainly hear about them as they break out.
Tom Holland - Guitar & Vocals
Stefan Hillesheim - Guitar & Vocals
Al Shorter - Bass
Hosted by:
David Levit - Drums, Promo, Off-Handed Comments, Life Changing Announcements, Spiffy Fedoras.
This is another dynamite formation of David Levit's Million Dollar Blues Band! This remains the best Blues Jam you could ever dream of. Come and join the Madcats crew and let's welcome the Million Dollar Blues Band to the stage!
Keep your eyes on these events as we have a lineup of special guests in the coming months that will make your head spin. Want to know more? Ask Dave at the Jam!