Sunday was a kicking good time at the House Cafe as the Barb City Stompers put on an entertaining “Dixieland Jazz” concert.

With no charge at the door, a five-piece band and a special guest soloist, the concert was not to be missed.

Around 1:45 p.m., the audience began to pour in, bursting with enthusiasm. A surprising variety of ages attended, including several younger children. Band leader John Stillman on clarinet, along with Aaron Puckett on drums, Roger Heintche on bass, Larry Rutan on guitar and Ray Rubenstein on trombone, created beautiful music and provided a relaxing atmosphere as the audience swayed along with the beat of each song.

After three years of playing together, the band had a confidence on stage that made the audience feel comfortable, and in one of the tunes, “Yellow Dog Blues,” audience participation was encouraged, and no audience member hesitated to stand and shout.

However, the highlight of the evening was 8-year-old Siobhan Gallagher of DeKalb, asked by Stillman to join the band as the special guest soloist. Gallagher made Louis Armstrong’s tune “What A Wonderful World” sound like a little slice of heaven.

“I was nervous, but my friends and family brought me luck,” Gallagher said after performing.

If she was nervous, it never showed from the moment she hit the stage. With an alto range and a sweet innocence, she certainly stole the show.

“We should have prepared an encore,” Stillman said as the audience continued to clap for several minutes after Gallagher left the stage.

She is truly a talented young lady with a captivating mature vocal sound.

The Barb City Stompers’ concert was more than just another show; it was memorable, captured the jazz swing and made everyone want to dance.