The John Reilly Band's polished talent is evident.

The band has been playing music beneath the wail of Reilly's B-flat tenor saxophone, the fiddlin' beat at musician Bob Mahar's hands and the harmony bandmates Mike Burns and Jim Andrews bring to the stage for 10 years.

“We do a really wide variety of music, we do rock, country, swing, Americana, a good mix of both covers and originals,” Reilly said.

Reilly performs vocals, guitar and saxophone, with Burns on bass, Andrews, of The Disclaimers fame, on drums and Mahar on keyboards, guitar and fiddle. One of their most popular songs is their original, called “The Drifter,” and they also feature work by 1960's country-western singer Roger Miller, Kenny Rogers and many others.

When asked about his sound, Reilly responds, “I'm pretty much all over the place. I've been all over - classical music, noise bands in New York City, punk, jazz, blues, soul, rock, all kinds of stuff.”

Although he has traveled around the world, Reilly lives in Auburn now, his native city, and credits a mentor at Mount Carmel High School with his interest in music. At Mount Carmel Reilly met a priest, the Rev. Kenneth McElligott, in the fall of 1963 who arrived at the school as a young man. McElligott played the guitar and sang folk songs for students, establishing a Glee Club which Reilly joined that fall.

After high school, Reilly left his hometown for 25 years, working in New York City, performing at Woodstock and touring coast to coast, while also writing songs. He returned in 1996 and started the John Reilly Band with Burns. Reilly characterizes the band's music as upbeat.

“I would say if they're looking for entertaining events, we manage to provide that,” Reilly said.

The John Reilly Band has two albums out with a third on its way in the coming months. The albums contain original music, written by Reilly, who is a published BMI song writer with songs played on television, radio and documentaries. Reilly houses a recording studio at his home, recording his own music and other bands.

“When I was younger I did it full time, my 20s and 30s, I traveled all over and I did a lot. I'm 57 so I've been around awhile,” Reilly said. “I just love music. I go home and I'm in my studio tonight and I record all week and I gig on the weekends. I'm pretty busy.”