Jazz

Reginald Lewis is just the fourth person to direct jazz music at Illinois Wesleyan. He'll honor Glenn Wilson at this year's festival, launched by Tom Streeter in 1974.

Jazz UpFront will host the opening reception for the touring Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library exhibit The Harlem Renaissance: As Gay as it was Black.

The five-piece band, led by brothers Russell and Everett Moore and Ken Anderson, makes its Twin City debut on Aug. 17 as co-headliners with Chicago's Mississippi Heat.

The four-piece band plays swing, traditional and hot club jazz from the early 20th century, with a full slate of shows all summer long, including on the patio from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Destihl Beer Hall, 1200 Greenbriar Drive in Normal.

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Henderson aimed to capture the diversity and complexity of the Midwest while in residence at the University of Iowa — starting with a star-studded 1959 music tour riddled by a national tragedy.

With thousands of hours in front of live audiences, the instrumental trio Inktrail settled on nine original songs for their debut titular album.

Steely Dan tombonist Jim Pugh is the 'trom' in TromBari, alongside baritone saxophonist Glenn Wilson. They've both played Jazz UpFront before—but never together.

Reginald Lewis comes from jazz music royalty: His grandfather and teacher Robert "Bootsie" Barnes was a staple of Philly's jazz scene for decades.

Maria Alejandra Rodriguez moved to Bloomington-Normal in 2022 looking for a fresh start. She met Brazilian guitarist Jose Emilio Gobbo, premiering at Jazz UpFront as a four-piece combo with Max Beckman and Jay Ferguson.

Options for keeping things mellow—or going full party-mode this New Year's Eve