Midwest’s #1 Tribute to The Blues Brothers!
@ RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
MAY 6, 2022 @ 8P
For three decades, the Blooze Brothers has been one of Chicagoland’s most in-demand show bands, honoring the music made by the original Blues Brothers in movies, TV, and recordings, and the spirit in which they played – from Dan Aykroyd’s love of traditional blues and soul to John Belushi’s love of classic rock. Like Aykroyd and Belushi, we fuse those great musical traditions into a stage show that energizes and delights hundreds of thousands of music fans across the greater Chicago area and beyond every year.
They’ve got gas in the Blooze Mobile, a briefcase full of rhythm and blues, and are headed toward the on ramp for the expressway to your heart!
This event is sponsored by
CHUCK LITTLE as ELWOOD BLOOZE
Elwood Blooze drives and maintains the Bloozemobile (a 1974 Dodge Monaco). He plays smokin’ Blues Harp, books the band, herds the band members, and has been singing, dancing his butt off and keeping this incredible show band together kicking ass and taking names for over 25 years! In real life, he’s Chuck Little: business owner, black belt, and the hardest working bandleader in the business.
KEVIN POLLACK as JOLIET JAKE BLOOZE
Kevin does it all: singing, dancing, songwriting, composing, acting, talent management, laundry, macramé. He has a couple of hit originals on the internet right now, “Man About Town” and “Holiday”. He’s also a major force in the Chicago theater scene, praised for his portrayals of real-life icons like Joe Cocker and Roger Ebert. And speaking of legendary Chicago duos, we’re thrilled to have him take the stage with us as Jake.
SHEILA JONES – LEAD VOCALS
If we had to pick one moment where the band went from “hey, these guys are pretty good” to “wow, this is the best show band I’ve ever heard”, it was the first time Sheila took the stage with us. Her powerful voice and amazing vocal range always thrills the audience. She dazzles audiences with her stellar takes on tunes from “Respect”, “Proud Mary”, “Natural Woman” and “25 or 6 to 4”.
“BROTHER” JOHN KATTKE – KEYBOARDS, GUITAR, and VOCALS
An incredible versatile musician, Brother John does it all! With our band Brother John plays amazing keys, but he is also a killer guitar player well known in Chicago. A staple in the Chicago blues scene, Brother John’s authentic riffs and smooth vocals “make it easy to move your feet”. When you hear his take on “Late in the Evening” and “Rainy Night in Georgia”, you’ll understand why he’s on Buddy Guy’s speed dial. Visit John online at JohnKattke.com.
JAY OLASZEK – BASS GUITAR
They call him “Mister Zero” because of his ice-cold grooves and his cool wit. The life of the green room, Jay is a mild-mannered educator by day and Triumph-riding wild man by night. When he’s not invoking the riffs of the late great Duck Dunn with us, he can be seen at some of the city’s top music venues.
ROB McDOUGLE – GUITAR
From old school country (and western), jazz standards, and rock classics to a briefcase full of blues, Rob’s diverse talent as a guitarist is in high demand all across Chicagoland. Rob is the modern day “Master of the Telecaster” with some of the most tasty guitar licks you’ll ever hear. He has a list of credits a mile long and we’re honored to have him share the stage with us.
DANYA THOMPSON – DRUMS
During his first gig with the band, Danya got a call to do a session for Kelly Clarkson.
Sheila said, “That’s very cool.” Jake said, “Can I come with and get a selfie?” Elwood said, “Kelly who?” Needless to say, we’re honored to share the stage with this world-class drummer, producer and all around cool dude.
BRIAN FINN (MR. FABULOUS)– TRUMPET
The captain of the horn section, we call him Mr. Fabulous with good reason. Brian Finn’s crystal clear trumpet tone and amazing range defines the horn section’s signature sound. His solos on “Beginnings” and “Long Train Runnin’” get crowds on their feet and screaming for more. Brian is also one of the Chicago area’s most respected music educators.
KEVIN CLINE – TROMBONE
One of the most versatile musicians in all of Chicagoland, Kevin is an accomplished pianist, composer, singer, and one of the best damn trombone players on the planet. He is a rhyming genius that adds his musings on stage during the show. His critically-acclaimed solo album, Make Up Your Mind, is available on iTunes and at select Blooze Brothers shows (if he isn’t sold out).
JIM METZ – SAXOPHONES
Originally hailing from just outside Kokomo, IN, Jim picked us up and transported us to safety in his conversion van after an unfortunate incident at Bob’s Country Bunker. Since then, he’s been living in Elwood’s laundry room, honing his saxophone skills. In some circles, they call him “Triple B”, short for “Bonafide Baritone Bad***”.
ANDY BLANCO – TENOR SAXOPHONE
Andy once crafted a working internal combustion engine out of stuff he found in his saxophone case. His saxophone playing is known to cure spattergroit, brain clouds, and the Hawaiian cat flu. He stores his musical equipment in a hidden compartment in his custom Bugatti Chiron and is responsible for updating this website.
DADDY-O DAVE PICCO – ALTO SAXOPHONE
We almost lost Daddy-o a few years ago. He dropped his Triumph motorcycle and went down hard racing in the Daytona 500 Musician’s division and tore up his knee. Fortunately, our friends at Budweiser melted down a beer keg and the horseshoes off a Clydesdale and built a new knee for him. Part bartender, part choreographer, part cheerleader; for over 27 years Daddy-o is truly the heart and soul of the band.
Daddy-O has officially retired from the band and moved West but don’t be surprised if you see him show up at a summer show from time to time.
TOM TUMINO – TRUMPET
Tom has been filling in on trumpet with the Blooze Brothers for years and while we’re bummed when Brian can’t make it, we love having Tom around. He’s a pervasive presence in the music theater scene on the South Side, where we originally found him. He was amazing as Mary Poppins.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Paul, board president
John Jacobsen, vice president
Chuck Stevens, treasurer
Luanne Flavin, secretary
John Green
Mike Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Stacey McInerney
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Williams Schmiel
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Jerry Trachsler
RAUE CENTER STAFF
Richard Kuranda, executive director/founding artistic director (CEO)
Kyle Schneider, producing & operations manager
Jarrod Bainter, director of production
Meredith Schaefer, director of marketing & institutional advancement
Michele V. Knight, marketing manager
James Knight, economic development manager
Billy Seger, institutional advancement associate
Maribeth Ling, institutional advancement assistant/box office lead
Alayna DeVar, education coordinator/lead instructor
Jess Urban, RCSA education coordinator & producer/WSRep equity stage manager**
Caro Arana, assistant director of production
Commedore Clark, audio supervisor/ production coordinator
Savannah Thomas, box office associate
About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.
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