The Al Sears Music Fest Committee and the Western Illinois Museum announce the 2026 musical lineup. Scheduled for September 16 to 19, the four-day celebration reflects the full range of music Sears performed during his long and distinguished career, from big band jazz to jump blues, rhythm and blues, and the dance-driven sounds that energized early rock and roll. Al Sears was known as a powerhouse performer, and this year’s musicians carry forward that same musical energy, inviting audiences to groove, dance, and experience live music at its most vibrant. The Al Sears Festival continues to celebrate his legacy by bringing people together through live performance and community celebration.
The Al Sears Music Fest committee is pleased to present this year’s exciting lineup:
Wednesday, Sept. 16th - Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Chicken Wire Empire
Thursday, Sept. 17th - Wine Sellers 5:30 to 7:30 pm: WIU Jazz Combo
Friday, Sept. 18th - Western Illinois Museum 5:30 to 6:30 pm: WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra led by Whitney Ashe 7:00 to 9:00 pm: State of Mind State of Mind delivers high-powered, energetic performances of the most iconic R&B and Motown, along with standout Jazz and Blues favorites. The band features James Conyers on lead vocals and trombone, Tony Edison on vocals and saxophone, Mike Lewandowski on guitar, Reggie Thomas on keys, Steve King on bass, and Barry Applewhite on drums. Together, they bring depth, groove, and undeniable chemistry to every performance.
Saturday, Sept. 19th - Western Illinois Museum 12:00 to 6:00 pm: Spotlight on local talent 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project Led by drumset artist and percussionist Craig Russo, this ensemble blends the language of American jazz with the rhythms of Latin America, drawing especially on Cuban musical traditions. After studying at the National School of Arts in Havana and performing internationally with artists including Mayito Rivera and Tito Puente Jr., Russo brings a dynamic Latin jazz program shaped by years of study, travel, and performance. The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. The building is fully accessible with free accessible parking. For information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum. org.
About the Al Sears Music Fest
The Al Sears Fest honors Macomb native Al Sears (1910–1990), a pioneering tenor saxophonist, songwriter, bandleader, and entrepreneur whose career traced, and helped define, the arc of twentieth-century American popular music. Born and raised in Macomb, Sears rose from downstate Illinois to national prominence, performing with the most important figures in jazz before helping lay the groundwork for rhythm and blues and early rock and roll. His journey from small-town beginnings in Macomb to performing on international stages is an inspiring musical story that continues to resonate and deserves to be shared.
The 2026 celebration is not just a retrospective tribute, but an active dialogue between past and present. Contemporary performers will interpret repertoire connected to Sears’ collaborators, revisit swingera standards, and reimagine mid-century rhythm and blues classics. In doing so, they underscore the continuity of American music traditions and the ongoing relevance of Sears’ innovations. By honoring him, the community honors a remarkable individual and the dynamic history of American music itself.
The Al Sears Music Fest Committee members are Whitney Ashe, Claire Happel Ashe, Bill Maakestad, Patti Nemec, Sue Scott, Michael Thompson, and Sarah Wallick.
