page for the Whitney Young Guitar Program.
Just a little bit of everything at today. 🎸 From the stage to the rehearsal rooms, to acapella in blue line station(with a mean phone app accompaniment) , the Whitney Young Blues Combos showed out for the Deep Dish Music Festival.
02/28/2026
Etta James' Losers Weepers! Chicago Soul at its best. From the 12/12/25 Winter Jam Session, performed by the Guitar Program's Blues Combos!
Blues Combos! Etta James' Losers Weepers From the 2025 Winter Jam Session
02/25/2026
We totally agree.
City Should Better Promote Being World's 'Blues Capital,' Buddy Guy And Other Advocates Say Chicago Blues Revival Executive Director Diamond M. Dixon hopes Chicago will take a page from cities like Nashville and New Orleans that have honored artists while blending culture with commerce.
Whitney Young Guitar | Top Group - “Take Me Out” (Live 2025)
Live performance from the 2025 Winter Jam Session at Whitney Young High School. Featuring the Top Group performing the indie-rock classic “Take Me Out.”
🔥 Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more performances from the WY Guitar program!
Thanks Jahaan K for the killer editing!!!
12/22/2025
WY Guitar Donor Gratitude!
Today was one of those reminders of why this work matters.
Mr Peek had lunch with Gavin Campbell at Café Robey after he attended our recent guitar concert in support of his godson. In a beautiful follow-up email, Gavin described the performance as “magical” — especially the way students moved between contemporary rock music on the main stage and the early Chicago blues and soul traditions that shaped it.
That intentional connection — helping students understand the roots beneath the music they love — is at the heart of our program.
We spent the afternoon talking Chicago and Memphis music history, the power of live performance, and how meaningful support can strengthen music education. We are deeply grateful for Gavin’s generosity and belief in our students. This support will directly help us replace aging classroom screens with modern, high-definition displays so students can better see, analyze, and understand the music they’re learning.
Most importantly, this support shows our students that what they’re doing matters beyond the classroom.
Thank you, Gavin, for your generous donation, and for seeing the value in this work and helping it move forward. 🎸❤️
Lawless Blues (Raffi, Uta, Andrik, Tyler and Jonathan) playing a mean Etta James at the sold out 7pm 12/12 Winter Jam
12/12/2025
12/10/2025
A quick behind-the-scenes moment from concert week…
Tonight, Delaney and our Lighting Crew (led by Light Crew Chief Lucy Martin) were hard at work programming cues, shaping color palettes, and dialing in the look of the Winter Jam Session. These students stay late, problem-solve, collaborate, and create the atmosphere that makes the show feel like a true concert experience.
They’re a big reason the stage feels magical before a single note is played. 💡🎸
🔥 TICKET UPDATE
Our 7:00 p.m. Winter Jam show now has fewer than 60 seats remaining and will likely sell out by tomorrow.
If your family plans to attend the evening performance, please grab your tickets soon:
👉 School Store
👉 $8 advance (cash or check only per CPS policy)
WY Guitar alumni can also use the special advance link to secure seats before leaving campus for finals/winter break.
Thanks for supporting the program — and huge appreciation for all the students putting in long hours to make this production special. Friday is going to be an unforgettable night!
— Jeff Peek
Whitney Young Guitar Program 🎸✨
12/02/2025
🎸 Winter Jam tickets on sale now!
Dec 12 — 5pm & 7pm
🎟️ $8 advance / $10 door
These shows sell out—go grab your tickets!