Connie Johns is extending a friendly hand to musicians in the area that are looking for an open jam playing blues and jazz straight out of New Orleans and Chicago. The 83-year-old trumpeter seized performance space in Eau Claire’s VFW club for musicians to gather, play, listen, learn, and enjoy a historical genre. Attendees will not only learn a thing or two about big band jazz and blues, but have the opportunity to sit in with a musician whose band The Conrad John’s Orchestra backed big-hitters such as Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Johnny Desmond, and Peggy King back at Milwaukee’s Holiday House. The stage space is on the house, so every Thursday night performance is free – but donations are encouraged. For the quality of music and the character of the musicians, that is quite the bargain.