Area musicians to explore ‘America’s Music’

Rob Killam trio to discuss, demonstrate the evolution of blues into jazz.

JACKSONVILLE, IL – The Rob Killam Trio, the area’s premier jazz band, is the first in the spring lineup of the 2011-12 MacMurray College Speaker Series, “Jacksonville Speaks.” The free event will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Thoresen Recital Hall in the Putnam/Springer Building, located at the corner of State and Clay streets on the MacMurray campus.

 The trio, which has played in venues throughout the area, will discuss and demonstrate through performance, “America’s Music: the evolution of blues into jazz.” Along with Mr. Killam, a 1981 graduate of MacMurray, on bass, the band will include Michael Stryker on the piano, John Sluzalis on drums, and special guests are expected.

 Come early that evening for the Applebee Art Gallery opening beginning at 6 p.m. across the hall in the Putnam/Springer Center (details in previous, separate release).

 Here are the other presenters this spring in the MacMurray Speaker Series. All events are 7 p.m. at the Thoresen Recital Hall. All Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.

• Katherine “Kitty” Aubry, a teacher in the Interpreter Training Program at MacMurray, will speak on deaf culture and the role of music, if any. Tuesday, Feb. 7.
• Dick Nelson, a highly respected former world history teacher at Jacksonville High School, will speak on Vaclav Havel and the Nobel poet’s improbable role in the formation of the Czech Republic. Thursday, March 1.
• Ari Samsky, cultural anthropologist at the University of Iowa, will talk about how the categorization by governments of people at risk affects the interaction between political power and human biology. Thursday, March 22.
• Robert Seufert, MacMurray professor of English, will read some of the poetry he’s been writing for 50 years. He selected 18 poems to illustrate the changes and stages in his life. Thursday, April 12.