Chicago rock balladeer singer/songwriter artist Steve Kessler, known to fans as “Saturday June,” will bring his melodic sound to Uncommon Ground ( 3800 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, (773) 929-3680) at 8 PM, Saturday, November 29, for an intimate solo performance of original songs and select favorites. Secure your tickets on Eventbrite.
The Uncommon Ground show will feature Kessler solo, performing voice and guitar, and will showcase songs from his catalog of Saturday June releases, along with newer material. He will debut his latest song, Where Are You, Samantha. A percentage of sales will be contributed to The Chicago Help Initiative, an organization that serves the homeless and food-insecure communities with a weekly hot meal and social services.
A fixture in the Chicago music scene for several decades, Kessler has fronted the Saturday June Band. This longtime Midwest rock outfit has played everywhere from neighborhood clubs to major stages. Over the years, he and his bands have appeared at Chicagofest, Taste of Chicago, Arlington Park, Navy Pier, the Park West, Ravinia, and concerts at Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Marquette universities, and have performed for both the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls.
Kessler’s rock pedigree is underscored by the company he’s kept onstage. His groups have shared bills with national acts, including Steve Goodman, The Turtles, The Stranglers, X, The Outlaws, The Kings, The Beach Boys, The Smithereens, and The English Beat. He has also opened for Johnny Rivers and Jimmy Webb at Ravinia. His live and studio credits also include playing with blues legend Hound Dog Taylor and recording with singer-songwriter Richie Havens.
As a solo artist and with the Saturday June Band, Kessler has released several albums of original material on streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, with recent singles like “Since You Left Me” showcasing his blend of classic rock energy, melodic hooks, and emotional lyrical content. Here’s a link to one of his favorites, Sparkle In Her Eyes
Kessler’s rock pedigree is underscored by the company he’s kept onstage. His groups have shared bills with national acts including Steve Goodman, The Turtles, The Stranglers, X, The Outlaws, The Kings, The Beach Boys, The Smithereens and English Beat, and he has opened at Ravinia for Johnny Rivers and Jimmy Webb. His live and studio credits also include playing with blues legend Hound Dog Taylor and recording with singer-songwriter Richie Havens.
As a solo artist and with the Saturday June Band, Kessler has released several albums of original material on streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, with recent singles like “Since You Left Me” showcasing his blend of classic rock energy, melodic hooks and emotional lyrical content. Here’s a link to one of his favorites, Sparkle In Her Eyes
Kessler’s style draws on the 1970s art-rock and power-pop tradition, think Todd Rundgren and other melody-driven rock writers like Eric Carmen, but with a modern, personal sensibility. Music writer Brad Spurgeon praised his songwriting, noting: “I could hear instantly without knowing anything about him that Steve was a true song craftsman, with lots of experience.” — Brad Spurgeon, BradSpurgeon.com, December 29, 2015
“I love the intimacy of a room like Uncommon Ground,” said Kessler. “It lets the songs breathe. You can feel the room leaning in, every harmony, every quiet lyric lands. That’s what I’m excited to share on November 29.”
Event Details
Who: Steve Kessler aka “Saturday June”, Solo Rock Balladeer Performance
Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What: An intimate evening of melodic, harmony-driven rock songs, performed solo by longtime Chicago musician Steve Kessler.
When: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Where: Uncommon Ground, 3800 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, (773) 929-3680 uncommonground.com
Tickets: Eventbrite
More Info: Artist site: www.saturdayjune.com