The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with the Western Illinois University (WIU) School of Music, invites jazz fans to an intimate evening with legendary trombonist Jim Pugh on Friday, November 7th. Known as a “musician’s musician,” Pugh has performed with Steely Dan, Chick Corea, Yo-Yo Ma, and more. He will take the Museum’s Our Front Porch stage with the HAT Trio for two sets at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, with doors and bar opening at 4:30 pm. The night concludes at 7:30 pm with a performance by WIU students. A $5 suggested donation is requested at the door.
Jim Pugh is a world-renowned trombonist, composer, and educator whose genre-defying artistry has graced thousands of recordings, Broadway albums, and film scores. He is the sole recipient of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Virtuoso Award for Tenor Trombone and has been Steely Dan’s solo trombonist since 2000. His original compositions have premiered at Lincoln Center, on NPR, and at the Tony Awards, reflecting a career that blends virtuosic performance with innovation and mentorship.
Joining Pugh is the HAT Trio: WIU jazz faculty Matt Hughes (bass), George Turner (guitar), and Whitney Ashe (piano). This performance is part of the Music on Our Front Porch series, which presents world-class jazz and classical musicians in the Museum’s cozy, one-of-a-kind garage space, offering a rare chance to experience locally accomplished musicians up close.
This program is supported in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the WIU Performing Arts Society.
The Western Illinois Museum is a non-profit organization celebrating and nurturing the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. It is a vibrant community hub that features exhibits, an open collection area, lectures, music, and other programs in a historic building.
The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square, and is fully accessible.
A full schedule of events can be found at wimuseum.org or follow on social media @wimuseum. For further information, call 309-8372750, text 309-837-2613, or email [email protected].
