Steve Freund, guitar
Joe Kyle, Jr., bass
Pete Devine, drums

$20 suggested donation

Guitarist, producer and bandleader Steve Freund, praised by Rolling Stone for his “masterful, no-nonsense guitar work,” continues to share his feeling for the blues wherever he can.

Developing his love for American roots music, including blues and jazz, in Brooklyn during the 1960’s, Steve moved to Chicago after meeting the legendary pianist and singer Sunnyland Slim, in 1969 at a show in Greenwich Village. Slim told Steve to “look me up when you come to Chicago.” That is exactly what the young guitarist did, arriving in 1976 and staying until 1994.

During that period Freund played an average of 200 shows per year, with many being two or even three gigs a day. The list of blues masters he has worked with includes Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, Koko Taylor, Floyd Jones, Luther Allison, and many, many more. He also has appeared on well over fifty recordings, and is an established Delmark recording artist. His latest release is a collaboration with longtime colleagues under the name of Rockwell Avenue Blues Band.

In 1994, seeking a change, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he continues to work regularly, with occasional road tours and European shows. His work in the Bay Area includes live shows and recordings with Boz Scaggs and Maria Muldaur.

Drummer Pete Devine and bassist Joe Kyle are 2/3 of the popular Bay Area roots and blues band HowellDevine, Arhoolie Recording Artists. The combination of these musicians creates a very soulful and powerful trio hearkening back to Chicago in the 1950’s and early 1960’s.

“Steve Freund is one of the most consistently creative guitarists playing blues today…a commanding, quite soulful vocalist.” – Lee Hildebrandt, Living Blues Magazine

“He is a great guitarist!” – Vintage Guitar Magazine

“Steve Freund plays with real taste, drive, and creativity.” – Pete Welding, DownBeat