Photo Gallery
From Chicago garden parties to the streets of Paris, music has taken me to amazing places.
Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Julie Dent and Gavin Tun's Blues Garden Party, Chicago, 2018. Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
I don't remember the song I was playing, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Dua Lipa's "Levitating". Kirk Manley (piano). Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Mr. Tambourine Man, Kirk Manley, with Gavin Tun (bass). Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Two harps beat as one, thanks to help from the great Grant Kessler (chromatic harmonica). Kirk Manley (diatonic harmonica). Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Kirk Manley (harmonica, vocals, and piano). Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Thrilled to play with the amazing, Buddy Guy, as part of The Willie Buck Blues Band! Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, October 2023. Buddy Guy (vocals), Unknown (Buddy's drink server), Kirk Manley (piano). Not pictured: Willie Buck (vocals), Steve Bell (harmonica), Thaddeus Krolicki (guitar), Steve Bass (drums), Yoshimi Hirata (bass). Photo source: VGeeGee Media, Facebook.
An unforgettable gig with an amazing band: the late, great Eddie Taylor, Jr. (guitar), Willie Buck (vocals), and Bob Stroger (bass). Kirk Manley (piano). Not pictured: Lester Jordan (drums), Scott Dirks (harmonica), Thaddeus Krolicki (guitar). Noble Fest, Chicago, 2018. Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Kirk Manley (piano). Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Kirk Manley (piano) with the talented Thaddeus Krolicki (guitar). Photo source: Chicago Blues News, Karen Murphy (R.I.P.), Murphy Media.
Playing a duo show with the one-and-only Shoji Naito (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Smoke Daddy, Wicker Park, Chicago, 2020.
Shoji Naito (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Smoke Daddy, Wicker Park, Chicago, 2020.
Shoji Naito (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Smoke Daddy, Wicker Park, Chicago, 2020.
Shoji Naito (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Smoke Daddy, Wicker Park, Chicago, 2020.
Shoji Naito (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Smoke Daddy, Wicker Park, Chicago, 2020.
Playing a duo show with the multi-talented Andrew Diehl (guitar and vocals). Kirk Manley (harmonica). Smoke Daddy, Wrigleyville, Chicago, 2019.
Shoji Naito (guitar), Steve Bass (drums), Goji Tanabe (bass), and Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Cafe La Fortuna, Willowbrook, Illinois, 2018.
Digging in with Mike Flynn (bass). Kirk Manley (piano). Cafe La Fortuna, Willowbrook, Illinois, 2018.
Shoji Naito (guitar) and Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Cafe La Fortuna, Willowbrook, Illinois, 2017.
The house band kicking things off at the Chicago Blues Garden Party hosted by the gracious Julie Dent and Gavin Tun. Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals), Shoji Naito (guitar). Grant Kessler (harmonica). Not pictured: Highway Rickey Trankle (drums), Gavin Tun (bass). Chicago, 2017. Photo source: Patricia Goldschmidt, Facebook.
The Chicago Blues Garden Party house band with a sweet horn section joining us. Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals), Shoji Naito (guitar). Willie Greeson (guitar), Gavin Tun (bass). Not pictured: Highway Rickey Trankle (drums). Chicago, 2016. Photo source: Patricia Goldschmidt, Facebook.
Playing with the incomparable Highway Rickey Trankle (drums) as part of the Blues Garden Party house band. Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Chicago, 2016. Photo source: Patricia Goldschmidt, Facebook.
Singing and playing harmonica with the incomparable Erwin Helfer (piano) at Katerina's in Chicago, 2014. Photo source: Grant Kessler.
Singing and playing harmonica with the incomparable Erwin Helfer (piano) at Katerina's in Chicago, 2014. Photo source: Grant Kessler.
Sharing laughs with the late, great Barrelhouse Chuck (piano and vocals), Dan Tabion (piano), and Todd Levine (harmonica; not pictured). Rest in peace, Chuck. Katerina's, Chicago, 2013. Photo source: Dan Tabion, Facebook.
Sitting in with Willie Buck (vocals) and the gracious blues party host, Mojo Mark Cihlar (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica). The Uptown Tap, Westmont, Illinois, 2012. Photo source: Chicago Blues Kathy, Facebook.
Sitting in with a talented group of musicians: Erwin Helfer (piano), John Brumbach (tenor sax), Lou Marini (upright bass), Shoji Naito (guitar), Kirk Manley (vocals, harmonica). Katerina's, Chicago, 2013. Photo source: Cristian Inostroza, Facebook
A thrill of a lifetime: playing with the one-and-only, Eddie C. Campbell (guitar). Rest in peace, Eddie. Kirk Manley (harmonica). Mojo Mark Cihlar's Blues Show, The Uptown Tap, Westmont, Illinois, 2012. Photo source: Chicago Blues Kathy, Facebook.
Sitting in with the late legend, Eddie C. Campbell (guitar). Rob Lorenz (drums). Kirk Manley (harmonica). Mojo Mark Cihlar's Blues Show, The Uptown Tap, Westmont, Illinois, 2012. Photo source: Chicago Blues Kathy, Facebook.
Promo for Shoji Naito and The Chicago Blue Aces at The Studio, Lockport, Illinois, 2019. Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals), Shoji Naito (guitar), Goji Tanabe (bass).
A Father Day's tribute to the Father of Chicago Blues, Muddy Waters. Hosted by Shoji Naito and The Chicago Blue Aces. Joe Filisko (harmonica), Shoji Naito (guitar), Grant Kessler (guitar), Gavin Tun (bass), Highway Rickey Trankle (drums), Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Szold Music & Dance Hall, The Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 2012.
Shoji Naito and The Chicago Blue Aces. Willie Buck (vocals), Shoji Naito (guitar), Lenny Marsh (drums), Grant Kessler (guitar and harmonica), Gavin Tun (bass), Kirk Manley (vocals and harmonica). Mandrake Park, Chicago, Illinois, 2013.
The Chicago Blues Harp Bash featuring the legendary, Billy Boy Arnold, and produce by my inspiring friend and mentor, Joe Filisko. I was honored to be on the lineup as one of the featured harmonica players and vocalists backed by the Billy Flynn Band featuring Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Rest in peace, Willie. Bill's Blues Bar, Evanston, Illinois, 2008. Poster design: Marianna Delinck Manley.
I was honored to be part of the lineup for Harry Garner's Harmonica Blowout at the Chicago Blues Festival, 2012. Windy City Blues Society Stage. JR Wydra (guitar). Kirk Manley (harmonica and vocals). Not pictured: Harlan Terson (bass), Ken Saydek (piano).
Sitting in with street musicians in downtown Paris, France. 2007. Kirk Manley (harmonica). Other musicians unknown: clarinet, upright bass, and banjo (not pictured).