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Past Performances
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
The JJC Alumni and Friends Big Band rides again! We’ll be opening at 7:15pm for the Pete Ellman Big Band at The Venue in downtown Aurora. Info and tickets here: themusicvenue.org
It’s always a fun evening, so please join us!
Sunday, June 14, 2026
A reunion with some long-time friends, bassist Phil Brown and the New Arts Jazztet, performing a Jazz Vespers service at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Carbondale, Illinois. I was a member of New Arts for a minute way back in the early 1990s. Phil organizes the music for these monthly services on the second Sunday of every month.
The service streams live on Facebook at Jazz Vespers at Epiphany @ 5:00pm or join us in person:
1501 W Chautauqua St, Carbondale, IL 62901, (618) 303-8051
Saturday, June 13, 2026
My good friends Mel Goot and Phil Brown hustled up a gig while I’m visiting to play the Jazz Vespers service at Phil’s church the next day. They even billed me as the leader! Life is good.
April 23-25, 2026
I’ll be performing in the pit band for the musical Once On This Island at Rich South High School. It’s a great show with lots of Calypso and Reggae grooves. I played it about 20 years ago and it’s been fun re-learning the music.
Location & Info: Fine Arts and Communications Campus, 5000 Sauk Trail Richton Park, IL 60471, (708) 679-3000 (Main Office).
Friday, February 13, 2026
Sitting in with the Prairie State College Jazz Band at the 37th Annual Jazz Fest. 7:30 pm in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium. $10 General, $5 Students/Seniors
Monday, February 9, 2026
Second Monday Swing Session with the Rhythm Makers Orchestra. Enjoy big band jazz and swing dancing! 7:30-9:30pm – No cover!
Location: Smokey Jo’s, 475 West Burville Road, Crete, IL 60417 https://smokeyjos.com/#
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
SJ Trio @ Olympia Fields Country Club – Back for a second year in a row, this time trio with Perry Wortman on bass and Jeff Fortin on drums. Sorry, this one is a private affair…
Sunday, October 26, 2025
JJC Faculty Jazz Quintet – The Music of Joe Henderson
Location: Joliet Junior College Fine Arts Theatre, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431
Time: 3:00 – FREE admission!
August 23, 2025
The JJC Faculty Jazz Quintet will be performing at the 4th Annual Wine, Jazz & Art Fest from 5:30-7:00pm at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, 201 West Jefferson Street, Joliet IL
Last year the admission was $20 for the wine tasting and $10 for the non-taster. More info should appear here soon: https://roadtorock.org/event/4th-annual-wine-jazz-art-fest/
June 17, 2025
The JJC Alumni and Friends Big Band rides again! We’ll be opening at 7:00pm for the Pete Ellman Big Band at The Venue in downtown Aurora. Info and tickets here: themusicvenue.org
It’s always a fun evening, so please join us!
May 23, 2025
This Friday, 7:00-10:00pm, with the Mac Robinson Trio: Mac on drums, Kevin Smith on organ, and yours truly on guitar.
18th Street Brewery, 5725 Miller avenue, Gary, Indiana 46403, (219) 939-8802
Looking forward to making some swingin’ and groovin’ sounds!
February 2, 2025
Looking forward to joining my colleagues, guitarist Adam Roth in a duo, and trio with pianist Dave Nuccio and bassist Stacy McMichael, as part of the JJC Music Faculty Concert!
3:00 pm in the Mainstage Theatre, Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houlbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431
FREE admission!
February 14, 2025
SJ Trio @ Olympia Fields Country Club – sorry, this gig is private, but certainly glad to reunite a trio from the 1990s with Matt Thompson on bass and Jeff Fortin on drums!
December 31, 2024
SJ Trio @ Olympia Fields Country Club – this gig is private, but I had to post it… my first New Year’s Eve gig in a long, long time!! And best of all, it’s a Jazz gig with Perry Wortman on bass, a reunion with my old pal Jeff Fortin on drums, and we’re done at 10:00pm. I think I’ll sneak in a tune or two from Parts Unknown that Jeff played on… many moons ago!
October 26, 2024
Southland Jazz Ensemble – Free concert in the sanctuary celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Grace United Protestant Church, 266 Somonauk St, Park Forest, IL 60466
October 4, 2024
Sam Burns Duo 7:00-9:00 pm @ Society 57, 100 S River St
Aurora, IL 60506, (630) 340-3918, society57.com
September 15th, 2024
JJC Faculty Jazz Quintet – The Music of Horace Silver
Location: Joliet Junior College Fine Arts Theatre, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431
Time: 3:00 – FREE admission
Be sure to check back to keep up with where I’m playing next.