CIJS and Kidder Music Present Jazz Day at the Peoria Fine Art Fair
Join us Saturday, September 27, for the return of Jazz Day on the River at the 2025 Peoria Fine Art Fair! Doors open at 10am and music begins at 11am.
Produced by Central illinois Jazz Society and sponsored by Kidder Music, this year’s Jazz Day will feature performances by many of the region’s top jazz artists and a special dedication honoring lifelong music champion Jim Kidder at 12pm.
Jazz Day admission is included for all attendees of the Fine Art Fair ($10 for adults; kids 12 and under are free).
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Featured Artist: Morgan Turner and IRIS
The Morgan Turner Quartet (Iris) is a contemporary jazz quartet led by bassist Morgan Turner. The group plays a hybrid of original compositions and fresh takes on old favorites. Members include Arman Sangalang on tenor saxophone, Andrew Sudhibhasilp on Guitar, and Paul Barilles on Drums. The Quartet can be heard playing regularly around Chicago at venues such as Fulton Street Collective, Elastic Arts, and many more.
Follow Morgan Turner and current group Iris on Instagram, YouTube, and Bandcamp to see and hear more.
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Featured Artist: John Miller and The Romaniacs
Local legend John Miller leads the Romaniacs on guitar. Joining John are Andy Crawford on bass, Joe Park on guitar, and Larry Harms on clarinet and soprano sax.
The Romaniacs’ repertoire includes classic Django tunes, modern Gypsy jazz and romantic French musettes. The fare includes some light humorous vocals, a la Freddie Taylor. The band swings hard and creates lots of fun for the listeners as well as the performers. Gypsy Jazz is happy romantic music with universal appeal. The Romaniacs’ performance guarantees good times and good feelings.
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Jazz Master Greg Ward Continues to Pay It Forward in His Adopted Hometown
When saxophonist Greg Ward was growing up in Peoria, his parents encouraged his love of music but discouraged his idea of being a professional musician. His gospel-rooted father, who played the Hammond B-3 organ at church (often accompanied by his very young son), had struggled in his quest for professional success. Knowing what he knew, he wanted to spare Ward the hardship that he himself had endured. But the warnings didn’t work.
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