The Travis Wesley Trio will be performing at the Dvorak Concert Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center on Friday.

The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. and is presented free of charge.

The jazz trio consists of Travis Wesley on piano, Toby Cutright on bass, and Tom Marko on drums. According the concert’s press release, the concert aims to create an intimate setting for jazz lovers.

Dan Crews, the director of patron services for Doudna, said to his knowledge this is the first time the trio has performed at Eastern.

However, Travis Wesley has received a few degrees from Eastern’s jazz studies and is not a stranger to campus.

“The (Travis Wesley Trio) is a modern jazz piano trio that maintains a progressive musical philosophy, profound respect for the jazz tradition and a consistent, high-level performance energy suited for a variety of venues,” Crews said. “The trio released ‘Cycle By Three’ in 2013. The group will also be presenting a clinic for jazz students earlier in the day before their evening concert.”

According to the press release, Wesley is considered to be one of the most promising jazz talents in the Midwest, and his music is always worth hearing.

“For those who love jazz, it’s a great opportunity to hear and see live jazz, and it’s free,” Crews said. “There is a large number of jazz aficionados who live in the Coles County.”

The jazz trio has been described as a modern jazz piano trio who not only perform with a lot of high energy, but they also maintain a profound respect for traditional jazz.

Wesley, when not performing with the trio, is an music instructor at Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill. He also acts as a music journalist, writing about various topics on American music on his blog.

“Jazz musicians, like all musicians, are looking for opportunities to perform,” Crews said. “And with the added benefit of the clinic the groups will be providing, all teachers are eager to provide educational opportunities for their students, especially from professional, touring musicians who can provide insight in the profession and provide actual true life experiences to the students.”

The Travis Wesley Trio will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Dvorak Concert Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center. No tickets are needed for admittance for the concert.

Luis Martinez can be reached at 581-2812 or lpmartinez@eiu