The Western Illinois Museum and the Western Illinois University School of Music are collaborating to bring live music to the museum’s Our Front Porch series.
Tenor saxophonist Reggie Lewis and the HAT Trio will begin the jazz series on Friday, Oct. 3. The doors and bar open at 4:30 p.m. and the combo will play two sets of music at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Lewis is the Director of Jazz at Illinois Wesleyan University. The HAT Trio consists of WIU Jazz Studies faculty members Matt Hughes on bass, Whitney Ashe on keyboards, and George Turner on guitar.
“Lewis is originally from Philadelphia. He’s sort of from Philly jazz royalty. His grandfather was ‘Bootsie’ Barnes, who’s one of the most legendary saxophone players to come out of Philly,” said Ashe.
The jazz series will continue on Nov. 7 with trombonist Jim Pugh backed up by the HAT Trio. Two other performances are planned for early 2026.
Ashe encouraged people to attend the shows, even if they’re not terribly familiar with jazz. He said the jazz series is an opportunity to hear talented musicians.
“Jazz is such a broad thing. What you’re going to hear are four incredibly committed artists working with the HAT Trio that are really going to bring a special music experience,” he said.
“You can think about it as going to hear jazz, but you can also just think about it as going to hear some really first-rate music.”
Ashe said admission is free, though there is a $5 suggested donation at the door for the museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. in downtown Macomb.
The program is funded in part by grants from the WIU Performing Arts Society and the Illinois Arts Council.
He said prior to the performances, the visiting artists will work with students in the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra.
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