Saddle up, pardners, let's go for a ride through the wild, wild, world of Springfield saloons and see what kind of excitement we can muster.
Frank Trompeterand elevator shoe, joined by one of our finest female vocalists, Trina Madonia, saunter into Floyd's Thirst Parlor, Thursday night for an 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. show. The group sifts groove-oriented originals into a mix of interesting covers to create a dish of superb music.
Friday at 11 West, enjoy a multitude of martinis while taking in the lyrical percussion sounds of Craig Russo's Latin Jazz Project. Russo has made a few trips to Cuba and beyond to study and absorb the rhythms of the islands and we are the lucky recipients of his knowledge. He surrounds the beats with a standard jazz combo of top-notch musicians and captures the essence of the Latin feel. Ooh-la-la!
Saturday night on Sangamon Avenue (across from the State Fairgrounds main gate at the Grandstand), Full Circle entertains the listening public with about as many years of combined music experience as you'll find in town. They have a song list as long as the mighty Mississippi and will take you as high as the majestic Rockies with it.
Also on Saturday, Live Wire electrifies the crowd at the Spillway Lanes bowling alley lounge with classic rock done by guys who learned the songs when they were brand new. They've been working on some new tunes lately, so head on over and be surprised. It'll do you good.
The Illinois Central Blues Club welcomes Michael Taylor and his Blues Trio to the Blue Monday Jam at the Alamo, on you guessed it, Monday night. Taylor can play jazz, country, big band standards, and you name it, but the Mississippi-born-and-bred guitarist has blues in his blood and it come out his fingers when he picks his electric six-string.
Open mic'ers need to hang at the Underground City Tavern on Tuesday and get with the hoppin' open stage hosted by Josh Reilly and Matt Meinert. Reports are coming across the music hot wire of good times and good tunes, always a fine discovery wherever you may roam. Bring your ax and join in the fray or bring your ears and enjoy the pickin' and a grinnin'. Either way should help float your boat down the river of happiness and into the sea of contentment.
