“To me the Blues is the purest and most honest way to express my feelings in lyrics and melodies and when I’m running out of words to express myself my guitar does the talking for me. I’ve learned a lot about myself on my musical journey and I believe that music / especially can be very therapeutic.”
Stefan Hillesheim: Pure & Clean Blues
Stefan Hillesheim is a German Native who moved to Los Angeles, California at age 27 to attend Musicians Institute (GIT) where he was awarded "Most Improved Student" of the Year 2015. Soon after he began to play renowned gospel churches and live music venues around the country. His signature guitar tone and driving rhythm guitar skills make Stefan a high-demand session player. Stefan has performed and recorded with many notable artists such as: Bobby Kimball (Toto), Ellis Hall (Tower of Power), Brent Carter (Average White Band), Emerson Cardenas (Santana), Frank Nitty (2Pac), James Fortune.
(Stefan Hillesheim / Photo by David Tepper)
In 2022 Stefan relocated to Chicago in pursuit of his love of the blues. The Chicago blues community welcomed Stefan with open arms - Stefan is best known for his slide guitar playing, soulful vocals and dynamic live performances. Stefan's main musical influences are Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and Albert King. His latest “Live at Rose’s Lounge” (2024), is a 12-tracks album, recorded in front of a live audience at the famous Rosa's Lounge, Chicago. Stefan’s new single titled “Anxiety” (June 2025).
Interview by Michael Limnios
What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?
To me the Blues is the purest and most honest way to express my feelings in lyrics and melodies and when I’m running out of words to express myself my guitar does the talking for me. I’ve learned a lot about myself on my musical journey and I believe that music / especially can be very therapeutic.
How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?
I have played a lot of different styles of music ranging from classical guitar over rock, jazz, funk, soul, gospel to blues – I do believe that all of these influences show in my playing and would never consider myself a “pure” blues only musician – there is too much good music out there to limit yourself to one genre. But Blues is my foundation, and I always come back to it musicians like Elmore James, Robert Johnson, Albert King, Freddy King and Howlin’ Wolf have shaped my feel for music and technique has always been secondary to tone and expression. I do like to sound “clean” which is where practice and technique comes into play but I truly believe, that what you have to say as a musician is more important.
Why do you think that German Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?
I can’t really speak much to the German Blues Scene moved to the US 12 years ago and mostly perform in America – I believe that the Blues is appreciated in Germany because it’s refreshingly emotional and a stalk contrast to the more “uptight” and “disciplined” German culture and art scene – We Germans are head-heavy people and it’s nice to give the mind a bit of a break and let emotions take over - that’s what got me interested as a teenager.
“Today it can be a challenge to make people realize that blues can be fun and uplifting - not only depressing and sad – I do believe that it is vital to reach young people as well in order to keep the blues alive and well.” (Stefan Hillesheim with his band / Photo by David Tepper)
Which meetings in Chicago have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The Blues is an American artform and in order to really grasp it and learn how to play it I think you have to come to the US – Chicago has always been a major hub for electric blues music – starting with musicians from the south migrating north and bringing the delta-blues inspired music with them. The blues got louder and more adapted to a Big city audience – eventually becoming a world-wide export – but it all started here in the US and I’m fortunate enough to talk and sometimes share the stare with people who were part of that piece of American history like Buddy Guy (Who I opened for in Jan on 2025 and had the please of performing on the same stage on several occasions), Jimmy Burns, Mary Lane, Willie Buck, John Primer and many more. My sound has definitely been inspired by contemporaries on the Chicago Blues scene like Mike Wheeler, Rico McFarland, Stephen Hull, Sheryl Youngblood, Little Ed, just to name a few.
Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?
The most memorable performance would be our recent performance during the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium park (the world’s largest blues festival) – It was an amazing experience. The Crowd was so engaged and a true joy to perform for. We recorded our performance and I will release a new album entitled “Live at the Chicago Blues Festival” later this year.
What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?
One of the biggest differences would be the amount of distractions (such as cell phones, media, internet, streaming) that we have to compete against for the audience’s attention (which has also been decreased). That does have a direct impact on the music you have to reimagine how to get people to stop what they are doing and get into your music – it was just different back then and young people would dance to blues music it was the “hot stuff” on the scene for people to have a good time. Today it can be a challenge to make people realize that blues can be fun and uplifting - not only depressing and sad – I do believe that it is vital to reach young people as well in order to keep the blues alive and well.
“My sound has definitely been inspired by contemporaries on the Chicago Blues scene like Mike Wheeler, Rico McFarland, Stephen Hull, Sheryl Youngblood, Little Ed, just to name a few.”
(Stefan Hillesheim / Photo by Peter M Hurley)
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?
Know you’re worth - but be humble – at the end of the day your musical abilities and skills only get you so far you need to have a good attitude towards fands, band members and other musicians. Uplift someone else if they accomplish something it goes a long way.
Your work is known for creatively reimagining jazz and blues tradition. How do you balance respect for the roots with experimentation?
I’m not much of a Jazz player to be honest I have learned a good amount of standards to be able to understand the “form” but like with all styles of music there is a certain “vocabulary” that you need to learn in order to sound convincing. Same goes for blues it’s good to learn what people expect to hear but then also mix it with something unexpected and eventually something of your own creation.
Q&A with German musician Stefan Hillesheim, his signature tone and driving rhythm skills make him a high-demand session player
by Music Network by Michael Limnios
Aug 22
“To me the Blues is the purest and most honest way to express my feelings in lyrics and melodies and when I’m running out of words to express myself my guitar does the talking for me. I’ve learned a lot about myself on my musical journey and I believe that music / especially can be very therapeutic.”
Stefan Hillesheim: Pure & Clean Blues
Stefan Hillesheim is a German Native who moved to Los Angeles, California at age 27 to attend Musicians Institute (GIT) where he was awarded "Most Improved Student" of the Year 2015. Soon after he began to play renowned gospel churches and live music venues around the country. His signature guitar tone and driving rhythm guitar skills make Stefan a high-demand session player. Stefan has performed and recorded with many notable artists such as: Bobby Kimball (Toto), Ellis Hall (Tower of Power), Brent Carter (Average White Band), Emerson Cardenas (Santana), Frank Nitty (2Pac), James Fortune.
(Stefan Hillesheim / Photo by David Tepper)
In 2022 Stefan relocated to Chicago in pursuit of his love of the blues. The Chicago blues community welcomed Stefan with open arms - Stefan is best known for his slide guitar playing, soulful vocals and dynamic live performances. Stefan's main musical influences are Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and Albert King. His latest “Live at Rose’s Lounge” (2024), is a 12-tracks album, recorded in front of a live audience at the famous Rosa's Lounge, Chicago. Stefan’s new single titled “Anxiety” (June 2025).
Interview by Michael Limnios
What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?
To me the Blues is the purest and most honest way to express my feelings in lyrics and melodies and when I’m running out of words to express myself my guitar does the talking for me. I’ve learned a lot about myself on my musical journey and I believe that music / especially can be very therapeutic.
How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?
I have played a lot of different styles of music ranging from classical guitar over rock, jazz, funk, soul, gospel to blues – I do believe that all of these influences show in my playing and would never consider myself a “pure” blues only musician – there is too much good music out there to limit yourself to one genre. But Blues is my foundation, and I always come back to it musicians like Elmore James, Robert Johnson, Albert King, Freddy King and Howlin’ Wolf have shaped my feel for music and technique has always been secondary to tone and expression. I do like to sound “clean” which is where practice and technique comes into play but I truly believe, that what you have to say as a musician is more important.
Why do you think that German Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?
I can’t really speak much to the German Blues Scene moved to the US 12 years ago and mostly perform in America – I believe that the Blues is appreciated in Germany because it’s refreshingly emotional and a stalk contrast to the more “uptight” and “disciplined” German culture and art scene – We Germans are head-heavy people and it’s nice to give the mind a bit of a break and let emotions take over - that’s what got me interested as a teenager.
“Today it can be a challenge to make people realize that blues can be fun and uplifting - not only depressing and sad – I do believe that it is vital to reach young people as well in order to keep the blues alive and well.” (Stefan Hillesheim with his band / Photo by David Tepper)
Which meetings in Chicago have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The Blues is an American artform and in order to really grasp it and learn how to play it I think you have to come to the US – Chicago has always been a major hub for electric blues music – starting with musicians from the south migrating north and bringing the delta-blues inspired music with them. The blues got louder and more adapted to a Big city audience – eventually becoming a world-wide export – but it all started here in the US and I’m fortunate enough to talk and sometimes share the stare with people who were part of that piece of American history like Buddy Guy (Who I opened for in Jan on 2025 and had the please of performing on the same stage on several occasions), Jimmy Burns, Mary Lane, Willie Buck, John Primer and many more. My sound has definitely been inspired by contemporaries on the Chicago Blues scene like Mike Wheeler, Rico McFarland, Stephen Hull, Sheryl Youngblood, Little Ed, just to name a few.
Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?
The most memorable performance would be our recent performance during the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium park (the world’s largest blues festival) – It was an amazing experience. The Crowd was so engaged and a true joy to perform for. We recorded our performance and I will release a new album entitled “Live at the Chicago Blues Festival” later this year.
What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?
One of the biggest differences would be the amount of distractions (such as cell phones, media, internet, streaming) that we have to compete against for the audience’s attention (which has also been decreased). That does have a direct impact on the music you have to reimagine how to get people to stop what they are doing and get into your music – it was just different back then and young people would dance to blues music it was the “hot stuff” on the scene for people to have a good time. Today it can be a challenge to make people realize that blues can be fun and uplifting - not only depressing and sad – I do believe that it is vital to reach young people as well in order to keep the blues alive and well.
(Stefan Hillesheim / Photo by Peter M Hurley)
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?
Know you’re worth - but be humble – at the end of the day your musical abilities and skills only get you so far you need to have a good attitude towards fands, band members and other musicians. Uplift someone else if they accomplish something it goes a long way.
Your work is known for creatively reimagining jazz and blues tradition. How do you balance respect for the roots with experimentation?
I’m not much of a Jazz player to be honest I have learned a good amount of standards to be able to understand the “form” but like with all styles of music there is a certain “vocabulary” that you need to learn in order to sound convincing. Same goes for blues it’s good to learn what people expect to hear but then also mix it with something unexpected and eventually something of your own creation.
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