Chicago-based Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España will perform Oct. 6 at City Winery in Chicago to celebrate release of new album

 

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

After returning from a successful tour to India, members of Chicago-based Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España will come together in October for a global music and dance performance that will feature new music.

The new album, "Guitarra Trotamundos" or “Globe Trotting Guitar,” celebrates years of  teaching and performing in countries such as Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, Senegal, Mexico and India. The title is also a nod to the members of Surabhi Ensemble, who have taken to jogging in various places, including recent appearances in the Mumbai and Boston Marathons.

To celebrate the release of the album, Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España will perform Oct. 6 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The evening will also feature several special guests.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at citywinery.com/chicago. 

 

I had the chance to talk to band leader and musician Carlo Basile about the show.

Q – Great talking to you again. The last time we spoke, the Surabhi Ensemble was about to embark on its Global Peace Tour of India. I understand it was always a goal of the Surabhi Ensemble to tour India, especially since four of the members were born there. How was the tour and did it live up to your expectations or exceed them?

Hi! Nice to chat again. I’m glad to report that our overall experience greatly exceeded expectations! 

 

Global travel is hard. We experienced a few injuries (more on that later), missed flights and had some typical travel drama, but the concerts were all very well received and the hosts were so kind and welcoming. 

 

For example, in Rajpipla, Gujarat, we had more than 2,000 people come to an outdoor performance as the Prince of Gujarat welcomed us with a live marching band and official ceremony.

 

It was amazing, unexpected and unforgettable!

 

Q – And now Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España will perform at City Winery in Chicago on Oct. 6 to celebrate the release of “Guitarra Trotamundos.” What goals did you have for the album?

To be honest, I just wanted to gather some new and old friends to make an album which celebrates a few things…global friendships, my turning 60 years old, and continuing to run marathons at this age!

 

It’s a vanity project for sure, but there are some creative moments in the new pieces, as well.

 

Q – Do you have any favorite tracks on the album?

Yes, there is so much diversity in general, which may not be a popular word politically, but I am glad that we have about seven languages represented on the tracks. 

 

My favorites are "Malifarka," "Gli Anni Sono Brevi," "Kapi," and "Vencerá."

 

Q – Music brings people together. It does seem like the country is more divided than ever. Do you hope that “Guitarra Trotamundos” will help teach people about other cultures and perhaps help to bring people together?

Of course, always. But folks have got to figure things out for themselves. 

 

How far do we want to take nationalism and narcissism? I think we are finally starting to see some push back. 

 

Hopefully our work and the ideas of togetherness will come back in fashion soon…I hope!

 

Q – I know you competed in your first Boston Marathon in April and that you qualified for next year's Boston Marathon. Are you happy with how you did and do you plan to participate again next year?

Thanks! That was a HUGE bucket list item. It went well, but I’ll run the Chicago Marathon in a few weeks and see what my time is. 

 

I’m aiming for under 3 hours 40 minutes because Chicago has now adopted a tougher qualifier than Boston. 

 

I’m going to run in the desert this February, so I’ll skip Boston in 2026. 

 

I’ll likely return, but I would love to run in Berlin and Tokyo next.

Chicago blues musician Mud Morganfield to celebrate release of new album with a show at Hey Nonny

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

The eldest son of Muddy Waters has plenty to celebrate this month.

Chicago native Mud Morganfield released signed with a new record label, Nola Blue Records and will release his label debut album, "Deep Mud," on Sept. 26.

On Sept. 27 – his 71st birthday – Morganfield will perform at Hey Nonny, 10 South Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available at heynonny.com.

I had the chance to talk to him about the new record.

Q – Great talking to you again. We last spoke in 2018 about your release “They Call Me Mud,” so it’s nice to talk to you again and get caught up on your latest activities.

 

I’m sorry to hear about the death of your mother, Mildred McGhee. I understand she was a big supporter of yours.

 

She was kind of connected to my hip. My dad was gone a lot of times and she had to be father and mother on any day.

When I scratched my knee, she was the one who put the bandage on it. 

Q – That makes sense, because your dad was on the road a lot.

You talk about wanting to see your mother in your dreams in one of the songs on the new album, “A Dream Walking.”

 

I imagine that was a hard song to write.

 

It was a hard song to write and it was a hard song to sing. But I knew I had to get through it. 

I knew that was something she would want since she was my biggest supporter.

Q – But it's also a song that other people who perhaps lost their parents can connect with.

I am praying to the highest power that it does. Because there's strength in tears.

It's a cruel man who doesn't cry. I don't want to be that kind of person. I want to be able to share tears.

It doesn't make you weak. It's makes you stronger because there's power in those tears.

Q – Of course, you are on a new record label, Nola Blue Records. What made you want to sign to the label and what do you like about the label?

 

Well, I shopped around and I couldn't get the right deal from any other label.  I spoke with Sallie Bengtson, president of Nola Blue Records, who is a fantastic lady.

Sometimes you can meet people and you get a certain feeling about them. I had nothing but positive feelings from Sallie. I felt like I could trust her.

Q  I know that “Deep Mud" is being released on Sept. 26 and then you will perform at Hey Nonny on Sept. 27, your 71st birthday. Does that make it even more special to be able to perform your new songs on your birthday?

 

It is special because I'm a year older, but I don't care when it would have come out. Me and this band, which includes Buddy Guy drummer Melvin “Pooky Styx” Carlisle, we put together some great tunes.

Q – It seems like you really like your fellow musicians on the album.

I love those guys. We have a personal relationship. They have gone with me on this journey from the beginning, especially Rick Kreher, who was my dad's last guitar player along with John Primer before he passed.

Q – I know you have said in different interviews that you wanted to experience the blues before you became a professional musician.

 

How can you have some blues if you've never had no blues? If you've never went through drug addiction, alcoholism, being a cancer survivor or something.

You've got to go through something to get some real nitty gritty blues. 

Q – You were on the main stage at the Chicago Blues Festival this summer singing your dad’s iconic song “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” in celebration of Chess Records’ 75th anniversary. What was that experience like?

 

It's always great to represent my city, first of all.

Q – What do you think your dad would have said seeing you perform that song?

I do a lot of my dad's work, man, just to try to keep his legacy here. And also, I add my own songs, like "Ernestine" and "She's Getting Her Groove On."

I do dad's songs to always try to keep his legacy fresh. I can be anywhere in the world and people will be screaming at me to play "Got My Mojo Working" and "I Just Want To Make Love To You."

I slide right into character, because he was my father. 

Q – I know that you are trying to carry on the legacy of your dad but at this same time, have your own sound and forge your own path. Is it hard to do both? 

 

Yeah, it is a double-edged sword sometimes. "Deep Mud" features two of my dad's songs, "Strange Woman" and "Country Boy."

And I will never put an album out without at least one or two of dad's songs on there,  just to show respect for my father.

 

I have to honor him. God was just kind enough to give me his lungs and vocal chords and all that.

Q – I know that you perform worldwide. How are the fans in other countries like England, Russia and China?

Outstanding, especially in England. They love American blues music.

The love for blues music is universal.