Events Calendar

Join us for a special night of jazz featuring Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trio at Smokin’ Willies BBQ! Leap Day Trio is a project from drummer Matt Wilson, tenor saxophonist Jeff Lederer, and bassist and singer Mimi Jones.
Masterclass at 6 pm - Concert at 7 pm

Bio:
Matt Wilson has released thirteen albums as a leader, appeared on more than 400 others as a sideman, and has played with an impressive array of some of the most legendary names in jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Joanne Brackeen, and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few.
Wilson was named 2018 Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and his album, Honey And Salt (Music Inspired by the Poetry of Carl Sandburg), won the JJA’s Album of the Year Award. That recording and his previous, Beginning of a Memory, accomplished the rare feat of an artist receiving consecutive 5-star (masterpiece) reviews from DownBeat magazine.
Wilson’s commitment to jazz goes far beyond his estimable skills as a drummer and bandleader. Also a renowned educator, he is on a tireless mission to foster a lively and deep connection between music and people, whether they be playing or listening to it. To that end, he is extremely passionate about bringing jazz to new audiences and inspiring students to be as individualistic and imaginative as possible.

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

**CALLING ALL WIU MUSIC ALUMNI!**
This Homecoming, we invite you to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts with our School of Music Celebration Concert. We want YOU to be part of it!
Here's how you can participate:
- Attend the concert on Friday night and cheer enthusiastically!
- Perform with the current WIU Wind Ensemble, University Singers, Jazz Studio Orchestra, or Orchestra.
- Tour the new Goldfarb Center.

Don't miss this historic celebration! If you're interested in performing, please fill out this form for more details

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

Jazz nights at the Western Illinois Museum (WiM), in partnership with the Western Illinois University (WIU) School of Music, return Friday, November 6, featuring dynamic performer and composer, saxophonist Chris Merz. Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, Merz brings a vibrant, forward-thinking approach to contemporary jazz composition and a sense of humor to his performances, presenting an evening that will be both entertaining and delightful. He will perform on WiM’s Our Front Porch stage with the HAT Trio for two sets at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, with doors and the bar opening at 4:30 pm. The audience is invited to stay for an after-party at 7:30 pm as WIU jazz students perform. A $5 suggested donation supports the WiM’s community programming.
Christopher Merz is an accomplished composer/arranger, performer, and highly sought-after guest soloist. His recording credits include Steve McCraven, Darius Brubeck, John Rapson and Jon Snell, as well as his own projects: Counterculture, the Chris Merz/Bob Washut Duo, The X-tet, and Equilateral. These days he can be heard with the Iowa Jazz Composers’ Orchestra led by colleague Mike Conrad, the soul jazz sextet Big Fun led by Iowa jazz legend Steve Grismore, and his own current bands, Christopher’s Very Happy Band and Shorter Stories, which celebrates the music of master composer Wayne Shorter. He has received commissions from university and high school big bands throughout the country, and is published through iJazzmusic, UNC Jazz Press and ejazzlines/Walrus.

Joining Merz is the HAT Trio: WIU jazz faculty Matt Hughes (bass), George Turner (guitar), and Whitney Ashe (piano). This performance is part of the Music on Our Front Porch series, which presents world-class jazz and classical musicians in WiM’s cozy, one-of-a-kind garage space, offering a rare chance to experience locally accomplished musicians up close.

Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency Concert:
Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade!
Jenny Scheinman - Violin
Carmen Staaf - Piano
Tony Scherr - Bass Kenny
Wollesen - Drums
Keith Ganz - Guitar

Free and open to the public
The fourteenth annual Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency culminates in a concert at the historic Orpheum Theatre, featuring the Mirza Resident artists Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade, the Knox Jazz Ensemble, and the Cherry St Combo.

About the artist: Jenny Scheinman is an acclaimed violinist, fiddler, singer, composer, and songwriter whose music bridges jazz, Americana, folk, and contemporary improvised music. A longtime collaborator with some of the most innovative artists in jazz, she has performed and recorded extensively with Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Jason Moran, Brian Blade, Allison Miller, Nels Cline, and Marc Ribot, as well as songwriting legends including Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, Lou Reed, Bruce Cockburn, Rodney Crowell, Robbie Fulks, and Ani DiFranco.

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

The longest touring and most sought-after original big band in the world takes the stage at Legacy! The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful dance bandleaders of the Swing Era of the 1930’s and 40’s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts, and the drawing power at theatres, hotels, and dance pavilions built and sustained the momentum of popularity. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought-after big band in the world! The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been “on the road” longer and more continuously than any other Big Band ever. With songs like Moonlight Serenade, A String of Pearls, Chattanooga Choo-Choo, In The Mood, and MANY more, this phenomenal band of exceptional musicians will bring you to your feet for an event not to be missed!