Few things in life are as transportive as a great blues set or a jazz band that’s really locked in. It’s music that carries the weight of history without ever feeling like a museum piece. Here’s where the local music scene keeps that tradition alive and breathing.

May 1

  • Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz Week: UI Concert Jazz Band, 7:30 pm

May 2

  • Allerton Park & Retreat Center, The Sweet Nothings, 515 Old Timber Road, 12 pm – 3 pm
  • Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz Week: UI Jazz Guitar Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, 500 S. Goodwin Avenue, 3 pm
  • Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz Week: UI Reparatory Jazz Orchestra, 500 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, 7:30 pm

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

  • Rose Bowl Tavern, Jazz Jam, 106 N. Race Street, Urbana, 10 pm

May 7

  • University YMCA, Dan Kusaya & the Chimurenga Inspiration, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, 6:30 pm

May 8

  • Rose Bowl Tavern, Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends, 106 N. Race Street, Urbana, 5 pm – 7 pm

May 9

  • The Axe Bar, Noche Latina, 114 S. Neil Street, Champaign, 10 pm
  • Wesley United Methodist Church, Lights Up! | CU Sings Broadway, 3 pm – 4:30 pm

May 10

  • Alto Vineyards, Sunday Wine Down with Candy Foster, 4210 N. Duncan Road, Champaign, 2 pm – 4 pm
  • Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz Week: The Shuai Yuan Combo, 500 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, 3 pm
  • Riggs Beer Company, Live Music: Piano Man, 1901 S. High Cross Road, Urbana, 3 pm – 5 pm

May 11

May 12

May 13

  • Rose Bowl Tavern, Jazz Jam, 106 N. Race Street, Urbana, 10 pm

May 14

  • Downtown Champaign, Soundbites: Christina Eltrevoog, 12 pm – 1:15 pm