Wayne Coniglio visits Our Front Porch

The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with the Western Illinois School of Music, is pleased to welcome musician Wayne Coniglio on Friday, April 14th, as part of the monthly Jazz Series being offered at the Museum.  The doors and cash bar open at 4:30 pm with music at 5:15 pm and 6:15 pm. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. 

Wayne Coniglio, a bass and tenor trombonist, is the fourth visiting musician in the Jazz Series designed by WIU Music Professor Whitney Ashe, which connects WIU music majors with professional musicians.  In a 2020 article for Downbeat, trombonist Ryan Keberle praised Coniglio’s playing by saying, “There are not too many bass trombonists out there who can play like that.” Coniglio will join the ranks of other world-class musicians to perform at the Museum with the HAT Trio, a group of WIU jazz faculty members Matt Hughes on bass, George Turner on guitar, and Whitney Ashe on piano.

This performance concludes this year’s Jazz Series, but it will return with a new roster of visiting musicians in September 2023.  Check the Museum’s website for dates in the 2023-24 season of LIVE Jazz performances.

Local support for the series is provided by the Performing Arts Society. Additional support is provided by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, and a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with funds from the State of Illinois American Rescue Plan Act.

The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. For more information, call the Museum at 309.837.2750, text 309.837.2613, or email info@wimuseum.org. More details can be found on our website and social media channels. 

About Wayne Coniglio

Wayne Coniglio, a bass and tenor trombonist, studied in the famed jazz program at William Paterson College, where he met and was encouraged by Rufus Reid Wayne. This led to his success freelancing in New York City performing with such notables as The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, The Mingus Band, and Chico O‘Farrill’s Latin-Jazz Dream Band. In September 1989, Wayne joined Ray Charles’ touring band and continued to play with the band through much of the 1990s and into 2001. Wayne was encouraged by Ray to write arrangements for his touring band, and has since developed a prolific writing career. He has written for solo acts, chamber ensembles, choirs, big bands, and pit orchestras. From 2006 to 2009 he arranged for the Kevin Kline Awards Show, and is currently an active producer and engineer.

Wayne has appeared on numerous recordings and DVDs, including Scott Whitfield’s Jazz Orchestra as well as the Ray Charles band. With Cecil Cope, Wayne is the co-founder, conductor, and principal writer for the Swing of Hearts Orchestra.  Wayne also plays string bass with the band Elsie Parker & The Poor People of Paris. Wayne Coniglio is a Yamaha Artist.

About the HAT Trio

The HAT Trio takes a fresh look at the classic piano, guitar, and bass configuration, drawing on influences from the jazz and classical worlds to explore some of music’s unmarked pathways. Guitarist Dr. George Turner has performed and recorded music, ranging from traditional jazz with some of Illinois’ most established players, contemporary jazz with the Bloomington-based Kevin Hart and the Vibe Tribe, to Brazilian music with the Champaign-based Samba Soul, to the poly-stylistic approach of the Champaign-based Almost “A” Quintet. Bassist Matt Hughes, a veteran of jazz legend Betty Carter’s working band, has performed with Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Jimmy Heath, Max Weinberg, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The group’s pianist Whitney Ashe has performed with jazz luminaries Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, and Tommy Igoe. He has composed for The Capitol Saxophone Quartet, Christopher Creviston, and The Rivertown Duo. The trio began performing together in Macomb, Illinois, while teaching at Western Illinois University.