Below - On the way to Tokyo on transit, the airline served warm sake, much to Francis' delight

Below - Walking around downtown Chicago

That's a chilly -14C on the temperature readout behind Francis.

"Frost!"

Below - Buddy Guy's last night of this winter series of shows at Legends. He remembers us from our meeting in Singapore in 2001, and welcomed us to Chicago and to his club. Click here for the first meeting between Buddy Guy and ublues.

Sunday 26 Jan - jamming at Eddie Clearwater's Reservation Blues Club, and meeting some great local players.

Our good friend Chris Chantry (3rd from right), who we met in Singapore before the US trip, showed us around while we were in Chicago. This city is full of characters, and this night is no exception, the band meeting the road hardened blues stalwart, Harmonica Shah (2nd from right)

An enthusiastic local crowd. It meant much to the band to receive good feedback from audiences in the USA, where the blues originated.

Danny with Mark Baier from the Victoria Amp Company, with his original 1956 Fender Stratocaster.

Monday 27 Jan - ublues band performs on Superstation WGN-TV and jams at Buddy Guys Legends (unfortunately no pics as we were all onstage). Buddy Guy himself in the crowd at the jam at Legends. It was an honour to play before him for a second time (this time as a band), and he gave the ublues band a thumbs up!

Tuesday 28 Jan - Jamming at two of Chicago's famous blues bars - Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S.

Above and below - Hanging out at B.L.U.E.S. with local bassplayer extraordinaire, Sam Green.

With Chris and Tracy, who we also met in Singapore

Local blues icon, Sammy Fender

Meeting up with Bruce Iglauer, founder of Alligator Records, the largest independent blues label in the USA. A passionate promoter of blues since the inception of Alligator in the 70s, Bruce hopes to see Asia embrace the blues in the future.

more pics from USA tour

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