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Join CIJS and Kidder Music on Saturday, September 27, for the return of Jazz Day at the 63rd Annual Fine Art Fair! Produced by Central Illinois Jazz Society and sponsored by Kidder Music, this year’s Jazz Day will feature performances by many of the region’s top jazz artists, plus a special dedication honoring lifelong music champion Jim Kidder at 12pm on the CEFCU stage. Doors open at 10am and music begins at 11am. Join us for a beautiful day of jazz on the river!
JAZZ DAY SCHEDULE:
Saturday, September 27
11:00-12:00 — Kevin Hart & The Vibe Tribe
12:00 — Jim Kidder Dedication
12:30-1:30 — The Water Street Stompers
2:00-3:00 — Reggie Lewis Trio
3:30-4:30 — Straight Answer
Jazz Day admission is included for all attendees of the Fine Art Fair ($10 for adults; kids 12 and under are free). Make a weekend of it and head back down Sunday for more live music from Bradley University's Groove Project and Jazz Ensemble, the Peoria Heights Community Band, and more!
CIJS is honored to dedicate Jazz Day in memory of Jim Kidder, a jazz lover and CIJS regular who made his mark not only in Central Illinois but nationally and internationally for his leadership in music business and music education.
Jim generously sponsored Jazz Day for years; we are grateful that his daughter, Beth, wanted to continue this tradition for 2025. We are also beyond grateful for the incredible influence Jim Kidder’s life had on all of us music teachers, listeners, advocates, and students.
As a lifelong advocate for music education, Jim served on the boards of NAMM and NASMD, and was president of NASMD from 2004-2005. Locally, he was active on the boards of the Peoria Symphony and the Peoria Symphony Foundation in Peoria, Illinois, the Heartland Festival Orchestra, and the Wheels of Time Museum. He also played trumpet in the Peoria Area Senior Citizens band.
“Kidder Music founder and former band director Jim Kidder influenced and empowered thousands of students, young and old, to enrich their lives — and those around them — with music. His award-winning music store has served our community for over 50 years and counting. For this reason and so many more, we proudly dedicate this year’s Jazz Day to his memory and his incredible work in music.” - Mary Jo Papich
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Peoria Riverfront, 110 NE Water St, Peoria, IL 61602-1322, United States
