Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival (Day 3 of 5): Faculty and Friends Concert

Name: Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival (Day 3 of 5): Faculty and Friends Concert
Start: 2026-05-07T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-07T22:00:00-05:00
Location: Smokin' Willies BBQ

Schedule

Thu May 07 2026 at 07:00 pm to 10:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Smokin' Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Since 1995, the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival has kicked off the weekend early with the Knox Faculty and Friends Combo Jam Session. This gathering of musicians reflects the vibrant live jazz scene in central Illinois, featuring Mason Boore, Jason Brannon, Andy Crawford, Jim Curless, Steve Jackson, Corey Kendrick, Joel Linscheid, Manuel Lopez, Nikki Malley, Dick Mathias, Semenya McCord, John Miller, Derel Monteith, and Zoë Rose. Bringing so many outstanding regional artists together on one stage is a rare treat, and this annual event never fails to inspire audiences while celebrating the rich musical culture of our hometowns.
For more than four decades, the Knox Rootabaga Jazz Festival—known to fans as “’Baga”—has been a hallmark of the Galesburg community, made possible through a unique collaboration among schools, businesses, and local supporters. World-class jazz artists from around the globe have graced Rootabaga stages.
More information: www.knox.edu/jazzyear

Complete Schedule
Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival
Tuesday, May 5th
7pm | Free
United High School
Doug Stone Rootabaga School Tour Band
Wednesday, May 6th
6pm-10pm | $3
Smokin' Willies BBQ (161 N Cherry St)
Area High School Big Bands
Cherry St Combo with Doug Stone
Thursday, May 7th
7-10pm | $5
Smokin' Willies BBQ (161 N Cherry St)
Faculty and Friends Band: The Faculty and Friends performance features Knox's accomplished jazz faculty and local jazz musicians from the vibrant live music community of central Illinois.
Friday, May 8th
6-10pm | $10
Smokin' Willies BBQ (161 N Cherry St)
6pm: Galesburg High School Big Bands
7pm & 9pm Alyssa Allgood Sextet w/Victor Garcia and Greg Ward
8pm Cherry St. Combo w/ Doug Stone
Saturday, May 9th
6:30pm | Free Admission to all thanks to the generosity of NAEIR
Orpheum Theatre
Rootabaga High School All-Stars Big Band (6:30pm)
Knox Jazz Ensemble (7pm)
The Baga Big Band (8pm)
The music of Justin Haynes
with special guests: Victor Garcia, Greg Ward, Doug Stone, & Alyssa Allgood