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In contrast to my column of a few weeks back, which
ruminated on the discouraging state of the Springfield music scene, it may
be time to sing a different tune. It seems that things here, in our local
nightclub world, have perked up considerably. Here’s a taste of things to come:
• The Loft (620 S. First St., 217-744-3333)
continues as Springfield’s top-shelf purveyor of spectacular live
music with two truly fabulous area jazz artists (last weekend’s
performers, Micah Walk and Roger Kimball, are no slouches, either). Craig
Russo’s Latin Jazz Project takes the stage on Friday, baritone
saxophonist Glenn Wilson on Saturday. Russo had a great run in 2006 with
showings at some fine music events, including the prestigious St. Louis
Jazz and Heritage Festival. Wilson, whose list of previous employers
includes Buddy Rich, Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, and Bruce Hornsby,
performs with an electric cellist and is apt to blow your mind with his
stellar musicianship. After a varied and storied career on the big bari,
Wilson now teaches jazz at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal
and still frequently hits the area live music scene. • In other jazz news, the Bistro at Two Olives
and a Pepper (517 S. Fourth St., 217-241-1027) chimes in with a live
performance by Virgil Rhodes and Footprints on Saturday night. Normally the
classy joint features piano-bar music, but this weekend the jammin’
professor and his stellar band will be making some sweet and sultry jazz. • Greta, Grits, and Gravy hosts a CD release
party at Sun’s Up Koffee Kafe (1001 N. First St., 217-522-5348) on
Saturday. Miss Greta has got a wonderful way with a song, and now you can
hear it as often as you’d like through the modern miracle of recorded
music. The disc, recorded at Bruce Williams’ house, features both
covers and originals — and those of you who enjoy Greta’s style
know that when she covers a song, it becomes an original. • On Friday, Jane Hartman jazzes up the Lime
Street Café (951 S. Durkin Dr., 217-793-1905) and Moroccan Soul
continues the tradition of the Uptown Friday Night series at Robbie’s
(4 South Old
State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901). On Saturday, Suzy and the Smokers
sizzle at American Legion Post 32 (410 S. Fifth St., 217-523-3415). Also on
Saturday, Luke Turasky’s Bourbon Bluegrass Band and Whinebox tie one
on at the Coyote Den (217-626-1392) in Pleasant Plains. On Sunday you can
catch Sally Weisenburg at the delightful Hill Prairie Winery
(217-635-9900), near Oakford. Wow, that’s quite a list of quality
entertainment for one weekend. Perhaps we buried the wounded too soon
— or perhaps this is just another resurrection. More than likely the
smoke has cleared and live music is back in business for 2007.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Jan 11-17, 2007.
