Craig Russo releases new CD featuring C-U musicians

Craig Russo's latest recording, In the Middle, features local jazz musicians Chip McNeill, Chip Stephens, Tito Carillo, Josh Walden, Jeff Magby, and yours truly, Jeff Helgesen.

Since I was involved, I can't really review the recording in good faith, but I think it's the best yet of Craig's CDs, in no small part because of the contributions of our esteemed U/Illinois jazz faculty. Nice originals and fresh arrangements of standards.

Currently available on line at cdbaby.com and probably locally at Pages for All Ages in Savoy in short order.

Check it out!

Jazz in C-U, week of 3/30/2008

Fun with jazz!

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Sunday, 3/30/2008
HOLLY HOLMES - Master's Recital
at SMITH MEMORIAL HALL (Memorial room, 2nd floor)
1:30pm, open to public

Sunday, 3/30/2008
GEORGE TURNER OCTET
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
9:30-11pm, free admission

Monday, 3/31/2008
JAM SESSION with the MRS TRIO
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
7-10pm, cover charged

Wednesday, 4/2/2008
DON HEITLER
at THE GREAT IMPASTA (114 W. Church St., Champaign)
6-9pm, no cover

Wednesday, 4/2/2008
GEORGE TURNER - Masters Recital
at SMITH MUSIC HALL (Matthews Ave., Urbana), Room #25
7:30-9pm, free admission

Thursday, 4/3/2008
UI JAZZ TROMBONE COMBO
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
7-10pm, cover charged

Thursday, 4/3/2008
DAMON SHORT
at ZORBA'S (627 E. Green St., Champaign)
9:30pm-12:30am, cover charged

Jazz in C-U, week of 3/9/2008

Warm weather coming -- get out and check out some jazz...!

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Sunday, 3/9/2008
IDENTITY CRISIS
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
7-10pm, cover charged

Monday, 3/10/2008
JAM SESSION with the MRS TRIO
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
7-10pm, cover charged

Wednesday, 3/12/2008
IN YOUR EAR BIG BAND
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
6-8pm, cover charged

Wednesday, 3/12/2008
DON HEITLER
at THE GREAT IMPASTA (114 W. Church St., Champaign)
6-9pm, no cover

Thursday, 3/13/2008
KEVIN TURNER TRIO
at THE GREAT IMPASTA (114 W. Church St., Champaign)
6-9pm, no cover

Thursday, 3/13/2008
UI JAZZ BAND #2
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
7-10pm, cover charged

Thursday, 3/13/2008
JAZZ SANDWICH
at ZORBA'S (627 E. Green St., Champaign)
9:30pm-12:30am, cover charged

Friday, 3/14/2008
BONEYARD JAZZ QUINTET
at EMBASSY TAVERN (114 S Race St., Urbana)
5:30-7:30pm, free admission (donation encouraged)

Friday, 3/14/2008
DESAFINADO
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
5-7pm, free admission

Jazz in C-U, week of 3/2/2008

March is roaring in like a lion, but that's no excuse not to get out and support live jazz in C-U. Lots of good stuff this week.

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Monday, 3/3/2008
JAM SESSION with the MRS TRIO
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
7-10pm, cover charged

Wednesday, 3/5/2008
DON HEITLER
at THE GREAT IMPASTA (114 W. Church St., Champaign)
6-9pm, no cover

Wednesday, 3/5/2008
HOLLY HOLMES QUARTET
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
8-10pm, cover charged

Thursday, 3/6/2008
KEVIN TURNER TRIO
at THE GREAT IMPASTA (114 W. Church St., Champaign)
6-9pm, no cover

Thursday, 3/6/2008
UI JAZZ GUITAR ENSEMBLE
at THE IRON POST (120 S Race St., Urbana)
8-10pm, cover charged

Thursday, 3/6/2008
EAR DOCTOR
at ZORBA'S (627 E. Green St., Champaign)
9:30pm-12:30am, cover charged

Friday, 3/7/2008
CU JAZZ CRUSADERS
at EMBASSY TAVERN (114 S Race St., Urbana)
5:30-7:30pm, free admission (donation encouraged)