The LLCC Recital Series will feature bluegrass music by the River Ramblers, including Jennifer Ramm, professor of chemistry, on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1. The performance begins at 4 p.m. in the Trutter Center on LLCC’s Springfield campus, and is free and open to the public.

The River Ramblers hail from Springfield and surrounding areas. The group assembled in 1987 with the commitment to maintain the traditional bluegrass sound made famous by such bluegrass icons as Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs. The group has issued four recordings including mostly traditional songs combined with some original tunes.

Three of the band’s original members—Duane Patterson, Marc Bourne, and Mike Smith—are still with the band. The current lineup, which also includes Jennifer Ramm, Don Randle and Rylie Bourne, has been together for over 13 years. Such longevity has helped the River Ramblers develop a solid sound and large repertoire. The band has performed in eight states throughout the Midwest, helped organize and sponsor festivals and community events, and opened locally for nationally known bands.

The group will perform such bluegrass favorites as “Sweet Blue-eyed Darlin’,” “Steel Rails,” “Cluck Old Hen,” “If It Hadn’t Been for Love,” “Lonesome Highway Blues” and “Jolene.”

Other upcoming performances in the LLCC Recital Series include:

March 22: Brick House Brass Quintet
April 19: Jane Hartman Jazz Trio