The Blues Heaven Foundation is located in the building of the former Chess Records. It's on S. Michigan in Motor Row District - between 14th St. and the Stevenson Expressway, with the core from Cermak Road to 25th Street. My husband coordinated this visit for us. He emailed the non-profit and signed up for a group tour of the landmark on June 9th. Tours are only done by appointment. We were in the city during Chicago Blues Festival, so this was their very active time of the year. Our tour guide, the Executive Director of the BHF, was telling us how their was a private concert the night before. The tour is amazing, and starts on the ground level in their gallery (which has rotating works on display). Then you get to see Chess Records offices and also go upstairs to sit in the recording studio. From my gift shop, I bought a key chain and a tee-shirt for my husband. Proceeds go to the works of the Foundation, which include educational youth programs, assistance to musicians, and outreach to the community. Right next to the building is a small fenced off garden where concerts are held during the summer. Note: You can take still pictures but absolutely no video or audio recording. They are very strict about this and will remind you about it. No joke. read more

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1st time in Chicago and Chess Records was my 1st point of interest to visit. Now, it's the Blues Heaven Foundation run by Willie Dixon's family. Our tour was run by Jacqueline Dixon, who did a great job. She presented its history with numerous facts and with great respect! Hearing all of her stories about Willie and his musician friends was absolutely fascinating. This is a must see and do...set up an appointment, get there on time and get a great history lesson about Chicago blues. read more

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Saw a free Thursday night concert in the event garden. Was really nice little spot. 1.5 hours of music. Would recommend dropping by and checking out a show. read more

Blues Heaven Foundation - 2025 free concert schedule - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The original Chess Records Recording studio. Too bad I did not locate this place until my last day in Chicago.....I was unable to do the tour b/c I would not have made my flight, but still it was cool to be at the coloration see the window front and the small garden that the Blues Heaven foundation has outside on the side of the building. Make tour reservations in advance . read more

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Fantastic tour of the Chess Records studio and a wonderful history of early electric blues.

Loved our visit on Oct. 2, 2023. I used to walk by Chess Studios as a child, thinking it was a record store. Now I feel humbled, walking through that building where great blues artists recorded. It was a most memorable experience! read more

Lovely tour. Clearly passionate executive director. I stood in the spot Chuck Berry recorded "Johnny B. Goode." So cool!

If you are a big blues fan the Chess Records building isn't something you should go see. Just to see Lenord Chess' office, the control room, and the recording area is worth it, once. The video they show is for people that don't know much about the music. The lack of historical items and curation is disappointing. They probably need funding. I hope they do more with this place because it is so important. read more

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I've been to Chicago more times than I can remember and visiting the old Chess Records studio will always be one of the highlights my visits. Getting There. The L train, green line stop at Cermak-McCormick Place is a quarter mile from the museum, and the red line Cermak-Chinatown stop is less than a half mile. Either is an easy walk to and from the museum. The Tour. The tour is really great. It lasts about an hour, and you learn a lot about the history of the area, the building, the Chess brothers, the studio and many of the legendary musicians who recorded here. Throughout the tour, our guide played samples of many of the songs that were recorded in the studio, using a Bluetooth speaker. That brought life into the space and underscored the studio's historic significance. When we arrived in the main recording studio, she played samples of songs that were recorded in Chess and other well-known studios of the same era, so we could hear the distinct Chess sound. It was easy to hear the differences. Time Needed. The tour took about an hour and we spent another thirty minutes looking at the exhibits more closely. The place is relatively small, so in ninety minutes you can see everything in the building in detail. Hours. When we visited, they opened promptly at noon. Crowds. We were the only visitors on the tour, and in the ninety minutes were were there, we only saw five or six more people. Gift Shop. there is a small gift shop at the entrance to the museum, where they sell, CDs, t-shirts, etc. Staff. The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. read more

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Make sure you check out Chess Records when you're in Chicago. We received a private tour from Janine that was filled with interesting facts and history. So many historical items to see including outfits, original lyrics and never before seen pictures. Experience where the Legends made their masterpieces. Also check out the gift shop for some cool merchandise. read more

I have been listening to nothing but blues since returning from Chicago. I wonder if visiting this place has something to do with that? The kind of place where you get goosebumps as you stand in the control room or the large recording space where legends played and recorded their classic songs. If you close your eyes, you can smell the sweat. Definitely some ghosts lurking around here. The building was in dire need of repair before being completely renovated by the Dixon family. I believe it was in jeopardy of being completely torn down. Now, even though it appears as the only real leftovers from the interior of the original building are the control room window space, some Chess Records logos which looked like they were painted on the walls, and some other cool things, there is still a ton of original equipment on display and plenty of displays dedicated to various Chess artists. The tour is led by the grandson of Willie Dixon. Not only does he look like his grandfather, he knows his music history. Seems like a good dude...genuine and sincere. The movie that they play in the beginning of the tour was okay, but long and actually somewhat boring at times, as they really kept saying the same things over and over again. I am not a huge blues aficionado, just a general music fanatic, so maybe that had something to do with it. Honestly, it felt awesome just to be in the studio. As we left the studio, I imagined Little Walter shooting craps on the side of the building, Howlin' Wolf selling his freshly pressed records right outside, and what it must have been like on Michigan Avenue when it was known as "Record Row." Quick note on getting there from The Loop - We hopped on the number 3 bus and got off at 21st Street, almost right in front of the building. It was about a 25 minute ride due to traffic. Neighborhood looked fine, although I questioned why during broad daylight you would have to ring a bell and get "buzzed in" to enter the building. read more

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Awesome! It was almost a religious experience to just breathe the air in there. All the staff I encountered were friendly and knowledgable with a shared core purpose: to promote the history of Blues music and to protect the future of live music (Blues and beyond.) Seeing the autographed memorabilia and the plaster casts of the artists was quite an experience, but the $10 tour was well worth the cost. My tour was led by Keith, Willie Dixon's grandson, and he provided a unique perspective having spent his life in the environment surrounded by Blues royalty. Very informative, very personable, and willing to answer any questions you may have. Go see the studio. Definitely pay for the tour. Tromp up the crooked, creaky staircase to the studio and listen for the footsteps of the Blues pioneers that still reverberate through the well-worn wooden floors. ...and buy the tee shirt. read more

Iconic. Chicago home of the Blues. So nice knowledgeable. Walking in the steps of The Stones Koko Taylor Etta James Muddy Waters Little Walter Willie Dixon. Wow read more

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Love Chicago blues? Well, you don't know a thing until you visit the Chess Record studio at 2120 S. Michigan. The venture south is a departure from the big blues locations often cited as the city's must-sees, but the trip is well worth it. Blues Heaven is a secret haunt intended only for those who know their blues. Warning: This is not a destination suited for the light blues enthusiast, rather a point-of-interest for those familiar with the blues influence and the artists shaped by the musical scribe of Willie Dixon. Dixon's family has driven Blues Heaven for years, so the tour is an ode to his impressive work while also serving as a reminder of the fascinating history of Record Row. There aren't flashy exhibits, just a raw look at the movers and shakers, and a chance to walk the halls that influencers like Etta James, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin and Mick Jagger once roamed. My tour was lead by Dixon's kin so the the stories and truths unveiled were fascinating to a young music appreciator like myself (mid-20s). Meanwhile, my in-laws (50ish) were appreciative of the knowledge and thrilled by the rare opportunity. read more

The former Chess Records studio - famously located at 2120 S. Michigan Ave - is a must visit for anyone that is serious about popular music. Would we know rock n roll without the pioneering sounds of Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, or Little Walter? How about without the guitar riffs of Chuck Berry? That Bo Diddley beat? Hell no we wouldn't. Pay homage to the greats and visit Blues Heaven. Chess Studios was spared the urban renewal that has wrecked many southside neighborhoods thanks to the efforts of Willie Dixon's family. Willie Dixon was the poet laureate of Chess, penning too many great sides to name. Blues Heaven Foundation exists to preserve the famous Chess Studios but also offer a musician's perspective on life at Chess. Tours are focused on the players, what their lives were like, and their legacy in American song. The old recording rooms are bare, sound boards probably carted away when Chess moved down the street, but are filled now with a collection of memorabilia. The gear may be gone, but the walls remain, and thankfully we have the Dixon family there to guide us and share stories they heard passed around their home. Blues Heaven Foundation also supports blues artists, providing both performance space in their outdoor theater, as well as financial assistance for musicians struggling with care. Thank the Dixon family for saving this shrine to all that was ever great about music and its ability to connect with people. Michigan Avenue was once known as "record row" with dozens of small labels competing for artists. Many of the great r&b and soul records Chicago is known for throughout the globe were cut on Michigan Ave. Northern soul fans take note: while many are now gone, you can still visit their famous addresses, learned by studying countless 45 labels. read more

Blues Heaven Foundation - Damn cool satin Muddy Waters tour jacket. Did I mention damn cool? - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was a must see for me in my return trip to Chicago. I was unsure if Chess records was still standing, and did some reading, and found that the family of Willie Dixon had purchased the building, and that his grandson did conduct the tour. We arrived there , and if you appreciate the music that came from this building, the feeling you get when you see this building cannot be described. Willie's grandson conducts the tour. He is friendly and tells stories about the artists ( Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Chuck Berry) and then he shows you a documentary. The museum is filled with pictures, including paintings donated and painted by Rolling Stone, Ron Wood. There are instruments which were actually used by the artists , including a stand up bass by Willie Dixon. But what is the most chilling is the control room that Marshall Chess and others stood in and the recording studio. The original equipment is still there. If you love this music like I do, it will give you chills. read more

Blues Heaven Foundation - Chess Landmark - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're into blues, this is it. The studio and building where almost every classic Chicago blues album was produced, recorded, and distributed. Just the room alone has a great vibe... the shape of the room, and the natural echo had a lot to do with a great sound that came out of this studio. Practically every blues legend spent time at this studio under the supervision of Willie Dixon. The tour is casually directed by Willie Dixon's Grandson. If youre expecting a big touristy glitzy experience with the Interactive stations, this is not it. The Dixon family has limited funds but the building is on the National Historic Registry. The Chess name is owned by Universal . Totally enjoyed being in the same space as so many of my Blues heroes. Go. read more

Forget sun records, forget Motown... THIS my friends is the definitive old record label tour. It's real. It's not fancy it's not flashy and it's not touristy. It's real. We were given the tour by none other than Willie Dixon's grandson himself. His stories, personal anecdotes and simply personal knowledge and friendship of the hundreds of men and women that lived and recorded in this building is absolutely second to none. The tour was $10 but I would have paid $100. If you're a record head, blues guy, soul dude, guitar geek- whatever- you need to get here today. The building itself and the exhibits are a little run down and lack a certain polish but to be honest, that only adds to the experience. There aren't any words I can write to describe being in the room smokestack lightning, johnny b Goode, or Hey Bo Diddley was recorded in. It's something you have to experience for yourself. read more

Journey back in time to the Chess Record studios where many of the greatest have recorded! This quiet and unassuming place is well worth a few hours' visit if you are out near Chicago's Chinatown. The first time I went, the Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Foundation hosted a public program featuring a live jam session in the upstairs recording studio and a blues harmonica lesson (cheesy i know but everyone there was absolutely charmed by this + Mrs. Dixon's inspiring comments)...it was magical to hear the acoustics of live music inside the studio that day. Returned recently with a group and everyone agreed the magic still reverberates from the walls, even when there isn't a live band playing. We spent time in the recording studio watching a video montage of interviews and performance snippets from the greatest blues musicians who recorded at Chess, then were free to wander around and check out the control room, lots of memorabilia and the wooden staircases where recording artists hauled their instruments and equipment up and downstairs to record. a little gift shop area helps with foundation fundraising but they are very low key about sales. all in all we felt it was well worth the modest admission charge. The staff couldn't have been nicer or more welcoming and patiently answered all questions from visitors. Kudos to the friendly staffer who stayed late to answer questions from a young local student who was doing research for a class project while we were there. His stories brought the blues to life and helped cultivate a love and appreciation for the blues that will certainly extend well into the next generation as long as the Blues Heaven Foundation is around. A very special place! read more

It was such a pleasure to visit this museum. The staff was so knowledgeable. The tour was very nice and well organized. BEN, the tour guide, was Award-Winning. He welcomed us with a smile and answered all of our questions. As we sat and talked with him it allowed us to reflect on the great artists and the true gifts that they have contributed to the world through music and songs. We will certainly be regulars here. Raina & Samuel. read more

Don't know if it deserves one star as didn't get in! Arrived 12-15 after walking from downtown in rain , rang bell for entry several times for 30 mins - no answer - major disappointment! read more

If your time in Chicago is limited, forget one of the "famous" attractions that everyone else goes to and visit the old Chess Records recording studio instead. It may end up being the most memorable thing that you do while you are there - especially if you were ever a fan of The Blues or blues-inspired rock and roll (The Rolling Stones recorded there early in their careers!) Be sure and take a formal tour and stay for the lengthy video too. I recommend that you watch the movie "Cadillac Records" before you go. Although I learned during the tour that parts of the movie weren't 100% accurate, still, watching it the night before the tour really got me in the mood. read more

i got word that blues heaven foundation will be closed 12/9 & 12/10 and will be reopened the following monday. hope u guys enjoy when u come by! read more