Jim Ransone & The M-75’s
Jim Ransone and the M-75’s are a Central Illinois instrumental trio built for groove. Led by guitarist Jim Ransone, with Tom Abbot on bass and Jimmy Willis on drums, they deliver what they call a “tidal wave of groovy instrumentals” — blues, jazz, surf, swing, R&B and soul.
The band has become a go-to act for listening rooms, bars, and dance nights around the Peoria area, with regular appearances at spots like The Tartan Inn, 4 Corners Smokehouse, The 808 Room, The Table Peoria, and the Peoria Music Live Takeover. Their live sets lean on instrumentals such as “Take Five,” “Cantaloupe Island,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “St. Thomas,” “Tequila,” “Pipeline,” and “Tighten Up,” reworked with their own feel and touch.
Ransone’s guitar sits at the center supported by a tight rhythm section that keeps everything moving. No vocals, no flash, just three players locked in on grooves that are easy to listen to and easy to move to.