Nightsounds' Favorite Albums of 2024

Reggie Britton is the lead vocalist, drummer, and harmonica player for central Illinois blues band Black Magic Johnson.Reggie discussed the path of his musical journey including playing with Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks and others. He also shares his challenge with cancer.

Kate Schwartz (formerly known as Mark Schwartz) is a central Illinois musician who has recorded over 40 albums under her own name and with bands End Times Trio, Forest Saints, Tin Ghost, Demons on Wheels, and collaborations like Petulant Clark. Kate shares how she recently transitoned and how she facillitates a trans support group at the Phoenix Center.

Chris Vallillo is a musician who combines history and sense of place in much of his work. Forgottonia is an Illinois Humanities Council funded performance project combining music and photography into a memorable take on western Illinois and rural places.

Max Beckman talks about his appearance at Sept. 13 UIS Date Night event and his music with Waxwell Weckman and others. The Date Night performance will feature an electric bass quintet in a way you might not imagine.

Ben's creativity overfloweth. Ben Bedford is a Springfield-based internationally recognized folk musician. Ben stages his first art exhibit of his pen and ink work at Perspectives Art Gallery with an opening reception Sept. 7, noon to 5 p.m.

Finnegans Wake is a band formed in 1974 at the County Cork Pub in Springfield, Illinois. John C. Van Orman, William J. Furry, and Bill Rintz joined together bound by a love of traditional American and British Isles music. They research many of the traditional songs in their repertoire. Even though they now live in different states, they get back together to perform and tour. They perform August 24, 2024, 7:30 p.m. at Salem on Seventh in Petersburg.The three multi-instrumentalists join Community Voices to discuss their music, vocals, and friendship.

Blue Iris is based in central Illinois and consists of two married couples, the Hargis and Schaut families. The band is nominated for seven Josie Music Awards recognizing excellence in the independent music industry. They will be attending the ceremony in Nashville at the end of October. In the meantime, they are performing around central Illinois including the State Fair to support their new single and video, Beautiful Sound.

Jose Gobbo revisits Community Voices to update his work in music and education and preview the Jose Gobbo Trio opening the final Levitt AMP show of 2024 for Radio Free Honduras.

Radio Free Honduras is a collective of Chicago musicians who are dedicated to showcasing the artistry of Charlie Baran. Baran contributed to some of the top Honduran music while with Banda Blanca. Radio Free Honduras founder, Dan Abu-Absi, joins Community Voices to share how they spotlight Baran's talent.