CIJS House Band (Photo by Natalie Jackson)

The ever-popular CIJS House Band under the leadership of Larry Harms is the star of the show this evening, featuring a selection of the most outstanding jazz musicians from the area. They present a variety of jazz standards and other popular arrangements.

John Miller on guitar and Dave Hoffman on trumpet

In 1978, Doug Lady, a jazz fan, musician and then-student at Western Illinois University, came back to Peoria and talked his mother, Jane Lady, into staging a jazz concert in their backyard.

More than 200 people packed the Ladys’ backyard that day. Jimmy Binkley was one of the performers.

“Doug Lady, he thought I was the greatest thing that ever lived,” chuckles Binkley. “He’d come to the [Fulton Street] Steakhouse and look in the window, but he couldn’t come in—he was too young. So I’d go out and get him…and put him over by the side of the bar, sitting by me. Doug Lady, he’s like my son. He’s my friend.”

Doug Lady, Left, and Jimmy Binkley in the Ladys’ backyard in 1978

Everyone enjoyed the experience so much that Doug, along with Jon Doren, Ron Hopper and countless others, formed Central Illinois Jazz Society (CIJS) in 1978 to provide more support and opportunities for jazz performance in Central Illinois.

The Charter for CIJS was first composed in September 1978; the first concert officially presented by CIJS took place on December 1, 1978, at Illinois Central College.

In 1979, the CIJS House Band was formed, which remains, to this day, a loose-knit, rotating roster of some of the most respected jazz musicians in town.

CIJS Legend and House Band Leader Larry Harms

Concert begins at 6pm. Thanks to Concert Sponsors Dr. Steven Hamon and The Antioch Group!

Trailside Event Center
4416 N Prospect (above Trefzger’s)
Third Sunday of the month (unless otherwise noted)

Members $8
Non-Members $12
Students Free