In May 2018 Delmark Records LLC purchased the 65 year old record label, Delmark. Julia A. Miller became the CEO & President of the label and Elbio Barilari its Artistic Director.
Delmark Records is the oldest continuously operating jazz and blues independent record label in the United States. It was founded by Robert G. Koester in St. Louis, Missouri in 1953, originally under the name “Delmar.” In 1958, Koester and the label relocated to Chicago with the label’s current name: Delmark.
The Delmark Gallery has been host to many exhibits of art & photos related to blues, jazz, and Delmark releases and artists. In 2020, The Gallery hosted a Women In Blues photo exhibit, including dozens of album covers and photos of female Delmark artists. The Delmark studio also hosted rehearsals for two consecutive Women In Blues Tributes on the Chicago Blues Festival, in 2022 and 2023. This program is an outgrowth of those Tributes.
The high-energy performances presented at Blue Chicago by the talented artists that grace that stage are experiences never to be forgotten. This great music is an important part of our history, and to experience it is to celebrate life itself and the musical tradition the artists carry on. Chicago Blues is an electric style of Blues music that was primarily developed from the migration of African Americans from the South to the Midwest. Throughout the years Blue Chicago has showcased such Blues legends as Koko Taylor, Bonnie Lee, Karen Carroll, the late Willie Kent, Johnny B Moore, Magic Slim, Eddie Clearwater, Eddie Shaw, the late Buddy Scott, and the late Eddie Lusk, just to name a few.