Illinois Central Jazz Train

After realizing the abundance of phenomenal musicians both in his saxophone studio and in the area, Larry Harms realized it was time to form a big band. His vision: “a contemporary jazz orchestra with great respect for the past.” And so the Illinois Central Jazz Train was born, premiering in 2005. Now, after more than a decade of making music, the band has maintained that vision. Every performance is filled with both jazz standards from the likes of Sammy Nestico, Louis Bellson, and Duke Ellington, and contemporary works such as those by Gordon Goodwin, Frank Mantooth, and our very own Tom Fatten. Still under the direction of Larry Harms, the band maintains a strong foothold in the traditions of jazz while continuing to perform works that push big band jazz to new levels.