Local Wine Events

Event Details

Spirit

Tags:   Spirits   Entertainment   Music  

Blues and Cognac Pairing – A rare tasting of the high-end Family Tradition Cognacs set to the sounds of the authentic Chicago Blues trio FTC, and a taste of Murray's Cheese.

The tasting will be led by one of the owners of Family Tradition Cognac.  They carefully select only artisan producers who handcraft ultra-premium cognac in limited quantities. Among the most important criteria for the selection process is originality and expression of “terroir”.

You will learn a wealth of information about Cognac and the differences between these artisan brands vs. mass-produced "industrial" ones.  Your perception of this golden spirit will be changed forever.  A truly rare tasting experience!

Full a la carte dinner menu available.

The Cognacs:
First flight:

Pasquet Coeur de Grande Champagne

Pasquet Tradition Familiale

Second flight:

Fevrier Saveurs

Grateaud Essence de Borderies

Third flight:

Glemet Grande Champagne 1992

Glemet Grande Champagne 1986

FINAL FLIGHT:
Marie Framboise

Pineau des Charentes

The Band: FTC Trio featuring Bill Sims Jr., Matthew Skoller and Jr. Mack.

MATTHEW SKOLLER is one of Chicago's most respected harp blowers and blues bandleaders. For the past 20 years he has played in all of Chicago's heaviest showcase venues and toured much of the world with his super tight ensembles. Deeply rooted in the tradition of the Chicago blues elders with whom he worked and studied, Skoller has developed a unique style that conjures the past while being firmly planted in the present. His blues wardrobe clothes a range of original songs whose subject matter comments on many of the issues and realities of life during this age of technology, information and upheaval. Skoller, known for his fiery and engaging performances, combines passionate harp playing and singing with original song writing and prodigious production skills. He has self produced 4 of his cd's and the critically acclaimed, award winning Let's Talk About Love by Lurrie Bell.

Most recently Matthew collaborated with his brother Larry Skoller (producer and guitarist extraordinaire) on the Grammy nominated, historical project, Chicago Blues A living History. He lent his production experience, deep knowledge of Chicago Blues history, and his harmonica to this project that is now being hailed by critics as one of the greatest Chicago Blues events of our time. Matthew has emerged as one of Chicago’s most accomplished blues-based artists.

BILL SIMS JR. has emerged over the last thirty years in NYC as its most respected practitioner of traditional blues styles. From acoustic Delta blues to the more sophisticated urban blues of B.B. King and T-Bone Walker, his grasp of the diaspora of American music has garnered respect from his peers in every genre of music in his town. “I have made it my business to study all music related to blues and that covers most American musical forms. I am just as at home playing Delta Blues as I am R&B or Jazz. For me all roads lead to the blues.” 
Born and raised in Marion, Ohio by his parents Rev. William and Georgia Mae Sims his musical education began at home and in his father’s church. From the beginning of his life he was immersed in the Gospel music of the church and the blues music he heard at home. His father had been a blues singer in his earlier years and did not hesitate to teach his four-year-old son his first blues patterns on their piano. “I’ve been expanding on that lesson for over 55 years now!” A multi instrumentalist (guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica and vocals), Bill is equipped to explore all the burgeoning music of the 1960s and expose the blues roots of Country, R&B, Jazz and Bluegrass.