Delfeayo Marsalis Sextet Thurs, June 28th @ 8PM

In 1957, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorncreated a timeless classic in Such Sweet Thunder, a 12-part suite based the themes and characters of William Shakespeare. Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis does a fresh take on the material — originally played by a 15-member big band — with a star-studded octet that includes brothers Branford and Jason Marsalis, pianist Mulgrew Miller, saxophonists Victor Goines and Mark Gross, trumpeter Tiger Okoshi, bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Winard Harper. Marsalis expands on Ellington’s original songs (inspirations) — i.e. Sonnet to Hank Cinq(Henry V), Madness in Great Ones(Hamlet), Star-Crossed Lovers(Romeo and Juliet)— primarily through exquisite solos by his band mates. The album serves as a companion to his just-started 36-city tour, Sweet Thunder: Duke & Shak, an ambitious theatrical jazz production that includes readings from Shakespeareby actor Kenneth Brown Jr. (Treme). It’s been a big month for Marsalis, who a week received the 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Award along with his father, Ellis, and brothers Branford, Wynton and Jason. — Steve Jones

Dan Eilers & Friends / Eric Petit & Tim Buhmeyer Sat, Jan 21st @ 8:00PM

Dan Eilers, a Burlington, Iowa native, is not only an entertainer, but also teaches guitar lessons and operates Musicians Pro Shop and School, 135 S. Randolph St.

Eilers picked up his first guitar in 1964, when he was 15-years-old. Having enjoyed music for a while, Eilers said it was the Beatles that made him want to begin taking lessons, but only for a while.

I didnt catch on particularly wellreading music or counting of the music, said Eilers. If I heard the song I could play it, but as far as reading music, I couldnt do it.

Eilers said it wasnt until he began practicing Chuck Berry licks with the lead guitarist from a local Burlington band called Terry and the Tempests that he began loving the guitar. Aside from his first few lessons, Eilers said he never had any formal training and learned most of what he knows from playing with other musicians.

Pat Travers Band Postponed to March 23rd@ 7:30PM, Show @ 8PM

It's early 1979, and the Pat Travers Band have just been introduced and subsequently recorded for what would become one of the slickest and hottest guitar-rock albums ever committed to vinyl. 'Live! Go for What You Know"'was a huge success on both sides of the pond, acclaimed by their musical peers, fans, and music critics alike. It was high-energy. It was electric. It was lightning in a bottle. The album, much like the Canadian musician himself, remains an influence for a whole generation of guitar slingers.

The band in question - Pat Travers, guitarist Pat Thrall, drummer Tommy Aldridge and bass player Peter Mars Cowling - were unarguably one of the most talented rock quartets ever to perform. They were also responsible for a pair of bona fide studio classics - their 1978 guitar rock debut 'Heat in the Street', and 1980's more musically diverse and critically acclaimed 'Crash and Burn'. 'Go for What You Know' was the musical meat in that sonic sandwich.

Thrall's fusion was the perfect foil for Travers, who has always put the melodic tone and 'feel' of his solos before any fret burning. Aldridge was one of the most noted and flamboyant sticksmen of the era. Cowling was the inspiration, driving the rhythm through his ever solid, yet extremely flexible, four-string work

Toronto born Patrick Henry Travers had already delivered a tasty trio of releases before the formation of that formidable four-piece, and would go on to deliver classy melodic eighties rock before a blues period in the nineties, but it's that famous foursome that set standards, kicked your ass, and made such a musical mark.

Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials Fri, June 15th @ 9pm

"A bazooka assault of foot-stompin' blues and slow burinin' knee-bucklers" - Chicago Sun Times

From working at Chicago’s Red Carpet Car Wash to appearing on national television, from gigging at the smallest ghetto blues bars to performing on the biggest international concert stages, master bluesman Lil’ Ed Williams has come a long way. Mixing smoking slide guitar boogies and raw-boned Chicago shuffles with the deepest slow-burners, Lil’ Ed and his blistering Blues Imperials — bassist James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton — deliver the blues, from gloriously riotous and rollicking to intensely emotional and moving. Not since the heyday of Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers has a blues band made such a consistently joyful noise. Currently celebrating 24 rip-roaring years together, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials ply their musical talents with skills that have been honed to a razor’s edge. As much a family as a band, Lil’ Ed, Pookie, Mike and Kelly have outlasted sports stars and presidents, musical fads and fashion trends. And together, they continue to make blues history with each and every performance and new recording.