Back by Popular Demand: Jimmy Simmons & Friends Return to McFaddin-Ward House Museum Concert Series on Nov. 5
Beaumont, TX; Oct. 19, 2026 – Crowd-favorites Jimmy Simmons & Friends will bring big band brilliance back to the McFaddin-Ward House Museum’s Music at the McFaddins’ Concert Series for the fifth consecutive year on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. The admission-free outdoor performance is open to all ages and will be held on the historic home’s east lawn (1906 McFaddin Ave., Beaumont).
James “Jimmy” Simmons and his band of highly skilled musicians will cultivate the evening’s setlist in real time, drawing from the crowd’s energy to select numbers from their vast repertoire of songs, playing everything from big band classics to modern day hits.
“We can play almost any style, any genre,” Simmons said. “If they want some music from the 40s, we can play it. If they want contemporary music, we can play it. If they want some rock-and-roll, we can play it. We look at the crowd and try to tune our music to them.”
President Emeritus of Lamar University and a member of the faculty and leadership team for more than four decades, Simmons is an accomplished musician skilled on saxophone, piano, and clarinet. He has played alongside an impressive list of famous musicians and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Chicago, and The Temptations.
Simmons currently performs with a varied group of musicians at venues around the state. The band lineup for the Nov. 5 performance at the McFaddin-Ward House will include Simmons on saxophone, clarinet and piano; Ethan Ainsworth on keyboard and vocals; Billy McQueen on drums; Sharon Montgomery on vocals; Rankin Peters on bass and vocals; Jeff Simon on guitar; and Gary Weldon on trumpet and harmonica.
Music at the McFaddins’ attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and refreshments to enjoy a great evening of live entertainment. Gates will open at 6 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.
For more information, call 409-832-2134.
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