penguins at taste of southern illinois - 2012

again this year (14th) the PENGUINS will bring jazz to the patrons of the TASTE OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.  melinda tolley, voice and flute; greg hodson, alto (and soprano) sax; jim smith, keys and vibes.  5-8 pm sunday april 22, 2012 at southeastern foundation building, harrisburg, illinois.  the TASTE is a public, ticketed, charitable fund raiser, hosted by the Southern IL Community Foundation.  best restaurants in Southern IL provide the food -  PENGUINS the music.  Not to be missed.

taxi band update

Sorry.  For one of the few times in its history, TAXI has had to cancel April and May 2012 gigs.  Our fearless frontman, Pat (the voice) Abell, is recovering from an unplanned shoulder repair.  Plans are to resume the schedule as booked starting in June 2012.  TAXI thanks the folks whose events were cancelled or postponed for their understanding.  Wedding dance season resumes in June 2012, we hope.  Schedule will post soon.  Call Pat Abell at 618/272-7593 for TAXI booking and availability.

smith live music at morello's patio - 2012

It's time for Smith live music on Morello's Patio in Harrisburg.  Rich Fabec (guitar) and Smith (keys) kicked it off, beginning April 4.  It rained, but the good folks mostly moved inside with food and drink to continue the festivities.  (Incidentally, Mo's is planning a roof for the Patio, they say.)  We missed some beautiful Wednesday nites in late March, eh?  Too warm, too quick, this year; not to mention the tornado devastation of February 29.

Plans are to continue with musical variety this season.  Many, if not most, of the performers from last years sessions will return, with a few new ones.  If you have a strong longing for someone or something in particular, don't hesitate to ask, and to check this site for upcoming plans and schedule.  If you plan to eat on the Patio, reservations are pretty much a necessity.  Call Mo's at 618/252-2300.  Check this blog all call Mo's for your questions about weather postponement.  Music will start around 6pm, and continue at least til dark.  There is some talk of expansion to weekends; let us know what you think.

Emphasis will be on live music (mostly instrumental): blues, classics, Americana, roots, standards, jazz, R&B, pop, contemporary, folk, great American songbook, more.  Frequently Smith will host musical guests.  To get an idea of what to expect look at post below of 4/17/11, the 2011 Schedule.  The price is right - FREE;  the food and drink - not free, but STELLAR.  Check it out.  Great scene for special events, like birthdays or retirements.  Uptown in Harrisburg, Illinois.

taxi update

taxi survived ridgway popcorn day Sept 2011 making at least it's 25th consecutive appearance

next taxi events:
- Oct 14 Friday - Brookstone Estates in Harrisburg for residents, friends and families
- Oct 22 Saturday - public event at The OASIS in Ridgway
- Nov 26 Saturday after Thanksgiving - Ridgway KC Hall pre wedding gig for Matt Zirkelbach, son of Rick, Taxi's drummer
- Dec 10 Saturday - Ridgway KC Hall wedding dance for Linley Givens
- Dec 17 Saturday - public event at The OASIS in Ridgway

taxi at ridgway friday july 29 for devous fundraiser

taxi plays a public event friday night july 29 at the KC hall in ridgway - fundraiser benefit for rachel devous of ridgway (now in florida) to help with health care expenses - music starts around 8pm

No Rain Dance

Don't mean to make fun of the serious flooding problems we have in the Midwest and Southern Illinois in particular. But after several weather postponements we are really ready to get the music going Wednesday nites on the Patio at Morello's (schedule below). Your No Rain Dance would be appreciated. It can't hurt.

Jazz Myths Debunked

Every now and then we need reminding that we don't really know anything.  Dr. Lewis Porter will help us know what we don't know about jazz with his feature at the WBGO blog site You Don't Know Jazz.