In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for over 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. The Chicago Sun-Times says, “Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials are the hottest purveyors of bottleneck boogie to come out of Chicago since Hound Dog Taylor.”

Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

Dakota

From working at Chicago's Red Carpet Car Wash to appearing on national television, from gigging at the smallest dimly lit blues bars to performing on the biggest international concert stages, master bluesman Lil' Ed Williams has come a long way.

Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials

Jun 6, 2025