1st Set w/Sam Burckhardt Combo

Showtimes:  6pm-7:15pm & 8:15pm-9:30pm

The Sam Burckhardt Combo brings together influences from jump blues to Thelonious Monk in a lively mix of jazz, blues and swing, and has been described as one of the best bands in Chicago from the late 1990’s-2000’s.  Today they present a newly minted album “Lucky Dragonfly”.

Airway Records is proud to announce its latest release “Lucky Dragonfly,” by Sam Burckhardt, tenor saxophone and vocals, and Jeremy Kahn, piano.  These veterans of the Chicago blues and jazz scene had the opportunity to first play together at a fundraiser in 2024. The gig was such fun that they decided to do a recording. The result is “Lucky Dragonfly,” which features originals, as well as standards. The band for the CD includes Doug Angelaccio on alto saxophone, Jake Vinsel on bass, and Phil Gratteau on drums.

Born in Switzerland in 1957, Sam Burckhardt started playing the drums when he was ten years old. He played his first gig with noted Blues pianist Eddie Boyd at the age of fourteen. Several years later, he picked-up the saxophone in order to play in his brother’s band. In April of 1975, he met Sunnyland Slim, the legendary Chicago Blues musician, and had the chance to accompany him at two concerts.

Sam came to Chicago at Sunnyland’s invitation and has played in his band until Sunnyland’s death in March 1995. He is an original member of the Mighty Blue Kings who’s debut album sold over 70,000 copies. His combo’s critically acclaimed CD “Chicago Swing” had Lloyd Sachs in the Chicago Sun-Times called it “the best neo-swing album to reach these ears,” and ranked it number 5 of his top ten Chicago albums of 1999.

Jeremy Kahn is one of Chicago’s busiest pianists, dividing time between Jazz venues, recording and teaching studios, and pit orchestras. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, having studied with the legendary Jaki Byard. Jeremy then spent twelve years in New York City. Highlights there include ten years playing with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks and collaborating with Max Roach on his Obie Award-winning score for “Shepardsets” (three Sam Shepard plays that were staged at La Mama). He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Sheila Jordan, the Chicago and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras, and countless others.

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