Stefan Hillesheim Band – Live at the Chicago Blues Festival
Stella Blue Music
10 tracks – 43 minutes
Stefan Hillesheim was born in Germany but moved to America in 2014 to attend the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. His finger-picking style, slide guitar, and rhythm guitar skills quickly made him an in-demand session musician. He played in many renowned gospel churches in California in addition to recording with famous performers. He lists his influences as Elmore James, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Derek Trucks. While in California, Stefan released three EPs between 2020 and 2022.
In 2022, Stefan relocated to Chicago to further pursue his musical career playing the blues. He quickly found like-minded musicians to form his band. With Stefan on guitar and vocals, Darryl Wright on bass, Sumito “Ariyo” Ariyoshi on keyboards, and Dionte McMusick on drums, the band quickly went into the studio leading to the release of his first full length album When I’m Gone in 2023. He followed that with Live at Rosa’s Lounge in 2024. In 2025, he returned to Rosa’s Lounge to participate in the Annual Chicago Blues Festival alongside many other famous musicians.
Eight original songs and two covers begin with “Always Get to Hear from You” with a rocking groove and Stefan proclaiming “You know I really love you baby but doesn’t mean you are always right. You know I love you baby but quit trying to run my life”. He pulls his slide out mid-song as Ariyo’s piano also shines. Stefan considers where his life stands as he contemplates “Sometimes I feel like leaving, even though I want to stay.” “Sometimes I get to dreamin’ about how it used to be”. Ariyo delivers a solid piano solo in this song. He continues his love-themed concernsas he sings “I will never forget the “The Love I Had for You”. His voice warbles as he reflects the pain and ache he is feeling noting “when the days get dark and lonely, feel love deep inside, wherever life throws at me, I know I will be all right.” His slide guitar reflects his crying and sadness.
The first cover is Freddie King’s 1969 song “Big Legged Woman” written by Israel Tolbert and reflects his admiration of that era of electric blues. He follows that with a cover of Elmore James 1957 “It Hurts Me Too” written by Melvin R. London. The latter song features his slide guitar alongside Ariyo’s piano. While true to the original songs, Stefan adds enough nuance to the songs to make them his own. He then jumps “On Down the Highway” citing “I’m letting that north wind take my pain away”. “Lord knows I can’t escape my shame”.
He changes his tone on “You’re My Family” stating “She wakes, the morning sun on her face. Although we had rather be some other place. She walks into the room, and I can suddenly feel home. I realize all this time I was alone.” But then on the following he cries “I hope you’re gonna miss me “When I’m Gone”. You just add to the misery while I wait for the cries to dry.” His slide guitar is featured on the song. “Better Man” is the longest song on the album at six and half minutes, which gives him the opportunity to stretch his guitar. The song starts slow with an introspective guitar lead as Stefan announces ” I done you wrong. There is no denying.” He begs her “to let me be a better man”. On the final song, Stefan announces that his symptoms require no doctor as he is “Sick of Your Love”.
Bruce Iglauer, President of Alligator Records is quoted in the promo release for the album ” Stefan Hillesheim is one of the Rising Stars on the Chicago blues scene. He’ a masterful slide guitar player, a strong songwriter and has assembled a band of talented Windy City veterans. I’m definitely keeping my eye on him for the future.” High praise, all very well deserved. Stefan’s vocals are emotive and shifts to the themes of his songs, his guitar equally moves into the emotional rhythms he creates. He is indeed a star on the horizon.
