Lazaro Vega

Glad you liked it: thanks for listening!

It was a year ago that Sir Charles Thompson passed away. Last night we remembered his clear, concise piano playing and lovely melodies during part of Jazz From Blue Lake, which you'll find on line today to stream from www.bluelake.org/ondemand .

Jazz From Blue Lake featuring the music of Miles Davis in the first part of each hour is available right now from www.bluelake.org/ondemand.

Jazz From Blue Lake is available from www.bluelake.org/ondemand. In the first hour of the program we hear music by Cecil Taylor’s bands featuring saxophonist Archie Shepp, The Jazz Datebook, and music by Thelonious Monk from 1959, including some of the newly recovered film soundtrack. The other four hours of the program feature Shepp in the first 20 minutes, with “Out On Blue Lake” in the 3rd hour. Get into some massive sound via an avant gardist who joined the mainstream, whose depth of interpretation in blues and spirituals will fill you up.

Jazz From Blue Lake celebrated the music of Sun Ra, jazz’s sun god, yesterday evening and the program is available today on demand from www.bluelake.org/ondemand . As his biographer John Swed said, Sun Ra believed music has a power that is closest you can come to certain God-like experiences. Music is a model for a kind of reality that’s not otherwise available directly to the mind. The broadcast includes part of a special live performance by the Blue Lake studios from saxophonist Marshall Allen and bassist Henry Grimes. (Image by Jan Persson, thanks to Stephen Haynes )

Two weeks after recording Miles Davis's album "Kind of Blue," on May 4, 1959, John Coltrane recorded his classic album "Giant Steps" which Blue Lake Public Radio featured Friday evening in the first part of each hour of Jazz From Blue Lake. You can hear that broadcast of Jazz From Blue Lake here: www.bluelake.org/ondemand

On Sunday, April 23rd, The Underground Music Series at LaFontsee Galleries featured trance inducing music by Karuna, the percussion duet of Adam Rudolph and Hamid Drake. It was a meditative, mesmerizing ending to season three of the Underground Series, presented by Adventuremusic.org . Here is Kalamazoo area writer John Ephland's review of Karuna's concert in Grand Rapids, https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=560189

Nice! Timely. Featured him last night on Jazz From Blue Lake. He's playing this weekend in Grand Rapids with Hamid Drake. The show is up today only under Jazz From Blue Lake, all 5 hours, here: www.bluelake.org/ondemand

Coming to Grand Rapids on 5/4

None of the pictures I want to post here will fit, too big. Percussion master Adam Rudolph played and studied with Fred Anderson, Don Cherry and Yusef Lateef, and today leads a variety of ensembles, from symphony size to his Go: Organic Orchestra, Moving Pictures (octet), Hu Vibrational, and a wide range of duets. Jazz From Blue Lake, the radio program, attempted a presentation of his wide ranging music last evening as Adam Rudolph and Hamid Drake appear Sunday in the Underground Concert Series in Grand Rapids. To hear the program please click on the Jazz From Blue Lake links at www.bluelake.org/ondemand . For tickets to Sunday's concert, www.adventuremusic.org . This evening after 10 p.m. eastern Blue Lake features the music of Hamid Drake.

March 30, 2017 The Jazz Datebook: Timely Hits: Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30 Dan Giacobassi plays Claude Bolling’s “Suite For Flute and Jazz Piano” with pianist Steve Talaga at the Walker Memorial Library, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon. This famous classical/jazz hybrid is schedule in Jazz Appreciation Month. Information from (231) 744-6080. Friday, April 7th at 7:30 p.m., the Columbian jazz harp master Edmar Casteneda performs at Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St, Manistee in a concert produced by West Shore Community College. Casteneda’s music comes from the traditional joropo ballroom dance music of Venezuela and Columbia, as well as tango, Brazilian, Flamenco and West African Kora music. Dig! Phone: (231) 398-9770. Monday, April 10th at 6 p.m., in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, Checkers Morton makes music in Hackley Public Library, 316 West Webster, Muskegon. Featuring Jim Beegle, trumpet, flugelhorn, congas and flute; Dan Giacobassi on saxophones, flutes and shakuhachi; Bob VanStee, keyboards; Dave Colee, bass; and Tim Fronceck , drums. Originals include “Padge” and “Little Raga.” Information from http://hackleylibrary.org/ . Monday, April 10th at 7 p.m. 8 string guitarist Charlie Hunter leads his trio at The Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill, 760 Butterworth St. SW, Grand Rapids. His new album, released in July, 'Everybody Has A Plan Until They Get Punched In The Mouth', has a title referring to a quote by heavyweight boxing champion Iron Mike Tyson. Recorded 100% live in a studio in Hudson, New York, Charlie Hunter’s quartet performs 10 all-new Blues, Rock, Jazz and Latin-flavored songs with bandmates Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Bobby Previte (drums), and Curtis Fowlkes (trombone) .See www.ticketweb.com. April 21st, 2017, the Wayne Shorter Quartet appears in the Cobb Great Hall of The Wharton Center For the Performing Arts, East Lansing. See: www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/wayne-shorter-quartet. Sunday, April 23rd at 3 p.m. percussionists Adam Rudolph and Hamid Drake appear as Karuna in the Underground Concert Series at LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids. See www.adventuremusic.org . Saturday, April 29th, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. vocalist Dee Daniels performs at at The Block, an intimate 120 seat theater/bar above Unruly Brewing Company, 360 W. Western Ave, 2nd Floor, Muskegon, MI. (231) 726-3231 or www.theblockwestmichigan.org. Here her at http://www.deedaniels.com/ Thursday, May 4th 2017 the San Francisco Jazz Collective plays the music of Miles Davis at St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids. More from www.scmc-online.org/2016-17-jazz-series. Monday, May 15th at 6 p.m. the West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 Jazz Musician of the Year Banquet honors Dr. Robin Connell, pianist/bandleader/educator, at The Guest House, 634 Stocking Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. See www.wmichjazz.org to make a reservation. Sunday, May 21st at 3 p.m. a fundraising concert for a community labyrinth at New Day Church-on-the-Hill features vocalist Edye Evans Hyde with pianist Mark Kahny, and drummer Mark Weymouth, at 2965 Wycliffe Dr. SE, near the corners of Cascade Road, Thorncrest and Wycliffe. Tickets or donations at the door. Information from (616) 735 – 9963. Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. the Ken Peplowski Quartet swings at Hart Public Schools Auditorium, 308 W. Johnson Street, Hart, MI. The clarinetist and saxophonist who rehearsed and led the Benny Goodman Orchestra has made 50 albums under his own name and appeared as a sideman on another 400, Ken Peplowski leads a band with swing and stride style pianist Ehud Asherie, Western Michigan University’s Tom Knific, bass; and Sean Dobbins, drums. www.hartauditorium.org/performing-arts-series.html Regular Hits: Mondays from 8 to 11 p.m. pianist/vocalist John Shea swings downtown Grand Rapids from the front window of The Republic, 45 South Division, Grand Rapids. With bassist Warren Jones III and drummer Fred Knapp, John presents a wide variety of jazz and songbook standards. www.republicgrandrapids.com. Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays 7 – 11 p.m. and Saturdays 6-10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a revolving cast of local musicians each weekend and Mondays hosts a jam session open to musicians and vocalists. See the full schedule here: www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341. Mondays, Lee and David Middleman play guitars with Chris Cudworth, bass, Rick Stephens, keyboards and Pat Eickenroth, percussion, as Swingtooth, anchoring the Monday night jam session at Rockford Brewing Company, 2 East Bridge St, Rockford. See www.rockfordbrewing.com or phone (616) 951 – 4677. Tuesdays, 7:30 – 10:30, there’s an open mic jazz jam session at The Grand, 22 Washington, Grand Haven, MI. (616) 847 – 8944. Wednesdays, from 6-9 p.m. it’s “Jazz Night” at The Old Goat, 2434 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, features live jazz. See www.baaaaaaaa.com. Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther have been appearing at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids for more than 13 years, the longest continuous jazz hang in west Michigan. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com. Wednesdays, House of Music Entertainment at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 49503, occasionally features jazz and blues. More from www.thebob.com/houseofmusic . Thursdays, 7:30-10:30 the John Shea Trio is heard at the Knickerbocker Brewpub and Distillery/New Holland Brewing Company, 417 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids. The jazz is upstairs toward the back, in the Zeppelin Lounge. Thursdays at 7 p.m. a variety of jazz bands rotate the schedule at The Book Nook and Java Shop, 8744 Ferry Street in Montague. See www.thebooknookjavashop.com and click on the calendar for Thursday night. The first Thursday evening of each month the Bill Huyge/Jeff Beavan/Dave Schock trio appear at New Harmony Hall, 401 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Phone: (616) 233-9186, or on the web, www.harmonybeer.com. Fridays at 7 p.m., “It’s a Friday Thing” features vocalist Kathy Lamar with pianist Bob VanStee and drummer Kevin Jones at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.notosoldworld.com or call (616) 493-6686. Fridays, 7 p.m. the John Shea Trio plays at the J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. Saturdays at 7:30, pianist John Shea leads his trio at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.notosoldworld.com or call (616) 493 – 6686. The second and fourth Sundays of the month from 2-4 p.m. the River Rogues traditional jazz band (see www.theriverrogues.org ) alternate weekends with the Bill Huyge, Jeff Beavan, David Schock trio at the New Harmony Hall, 401 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Phone: (616) 233-9186, or on the web, www.harmonybeer.com. Sundays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Jazz Brunch” at The Old Goat, 2434 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, features live jazz. See www.baaaaaaaa.com. Sundays at 7 p.m. Randy Marsh’s Sunday Night Jazz Hang at The Speak EZ Lounge, 600 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids (616) 458 – 2689. A fun jam session celebrating a 3rd year anniversary Oct 18. Student jazz musicians under 21 with a parent or legal guardian have a chance to play from 8:15 until 9:00 p.m. Anyone under 21 has to leave at 9 pm. The host trio plays from 7:00 - 8:00. www.speakezlounge.com. First Sunday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra plays Founders Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Avenue S.W., downtown Grand Rapids. The GRJO is the region’s premier professional jazz orchestra. Information from www.grjo.com.

Today is Stacey Kent's birthday. Blue Lake Public Radio is celebrating tonight at 10 p.m. with a variety of her recordings, with an emphasis on her set list from her concert at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon. Please join us at www.bluelake.org/listen . And if you have a minute, these liner notes by author Kazuo Ishiguro are insightful: https://www.staceykent.com/album.html

Jazz From Blue Lake featured trumpeter Shunzo Ohno on The Jazz Retrospective last evening, and at midnight, we went Out On Blue Lake with new music from Alex Cline; and late night we heard new music by trumpeter Rob Mazurek. Please check out this on Shunzo Onho: . To hear last night's Jazz From Blue Lake please click: www.bluelake.org/ondemand

Well, I guess there are exceptions to the rule. The only limitations regarding freedom is that of a general listener ship that may not completely want to engage in Albert Ayler's music at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning and will let you know. Otherwise, I'm free to choose. The compromise is to offer historic music for 20 minutes and new music or whatever local concert needs support or whatever crosses the mind for 40 minutes, 5 hours a night. We've improved our on demand resource, but the programming is intended for late night listening, 10 p.m. - 3 a.m., which you may keep in mind should you check out Jazz From Blue Lake here: www.bluelake.org/ondemand

Jazz is an international music. Yesterday Blue Lake Public Radio celebrated the Berklee College of Music graduate and current faculty member trumpeter Tiger Okoshi by featuring his music during each hour of Jazz From Blue Lake, found here today only: www.bluelake.org/ondemand.

ah crap: good catch. It's "Herschel."

March 14, 2017 The Jazz Datebook: Timely Hits: Friday, March 17th at 7:30 p.m. vocalist Stacey Kent appears in a free concert sponsored by the Lawrence and Violet Collins Fund at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Muskegon. Though free, tickets are required and may be obtained from the Frauenthal Box Office, (231) 727 – 8001. Sunday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. An Evening of Jazz with Edye Evans-Hyde and Elgin Vines at All Souls Community Church, 2727 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids. Social hour begins at 5:30. Information from www.allsoulscommunity.org/jazz-concert/ . Thursday, March 23rd, 13 year old piano prodigy Joey Alexander appears in the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Jazz Series with his trio. More from, http://www.scmc-online.org/2016-17-jazz-series. Thursday, March 23rd at 7:30 the Spring lake Bands present the Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra in concert at Spring Lake High School Auditorium, 16140 148th Ave, Spring Lake, with guest trombonist Conrad Herwig. The SL Middle School and High School bands perform, too. Tickets are available at the door. Sunday, March 26th at 3 p.m. guitarist Randy Napoleon performs with young bassist Stanley Ruvinov and drummer Keith Hall in the Underground Concert Series at LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids. See www.adventuremusic.org for tickets, and www.randynapoleon.com for information. Thursday, March 30th, 2017, The Hot Sardines return to the Wharton Center For the Performing Arts, East Lansing. See: http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/the-hot-sardines . Monday, April 10th at 7 p.m. 8 string guitarist Charlie Hunter leads his trio at The Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill, 760 Butterworth St. SW, Grand Rapids. His new album, released in July, 'Everybody Has A Plan Until They Get Punched In The Mouth', has a title referring to a quote by heavyweight boxing champion Iron Mike Tyson. Recorded 100% live in a studio in Hudson, New York, Charlie Hunter’s quartet performs 10 all-new Blues, Rock, Jazz and Latin-flavored songs with bandmates Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Bobby Previte (drums), and Curtis Fowlkes (trombone) .See www.ticketweb.com. April 21st, 2017, the Wayne Shorter Quartet appears in the Cobb Great Hall of The Wharton Center For the Performing Arts, East Lansing. See: www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/wayne-shorter-quartet. Sunday, April 23rd at 3 p.m. percussionists Adam Rudolph and Hamid Drake appear as Karuna in the Underground Concert Series at LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids. See www.adventuremusic.org . Saturday, April 29th, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. vocalist Dee Daniels performs at at The Block, an intimate 120 seat theater/bar above Unruly Brewing Company, 360 W. Western Ave, 2nd Floor, Muskegon, MI. (231) 726-3231 or www.theblockwestmichigan.org. Here her at http://www.deedaniels.com/ Thursday, May 4th 2017 the San Francisco Jazz Collective plays the music of Miles Davis at St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids. More from www.scmc-online.org/2016-17-jazz-series. Sunday, May 21st at 3 p.m. a fundraising concert for a community labyrinth at New Day Church-on-the-Hill features vocalist Edye Evans Hyde with pianist Mark Kahny, and drummer Mark Weymouth, at 2965 Wycliffe Dr. SE, near the corners of Cascade Road, Thorncrest and Wycliffe. Tickets or donations at the door. Information from (616) 735 – 9963. Regular Hits: Mondays from 8 to 11 p.m. pianist/vocalist John Shea swings downtown Grand Rapids from the front window of The Republic, 45 South Division, Grand Rapids. With bassist Warren Jones III and drummer Fred Knapp, John presents a wide variety of jazz and songbook standards. www.republicgrandrapids.com. Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays 7 – 11 p.m. and Saturdays 6-10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a revolving cast of local musicians each weekend and Mondays hosts a jam session open to musicians and vocalists. See the full schedule here: www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341. Mondays, Lee and David Middleman play guitars with Chris Cudworth, bass, Rick Stephens, keyboards and Pat Eickenroth, percussion, as Swingtooth, anchoring the Monday night jam session at Rockford Brewing Company, 2 East Bridge St, Rockford. See www.rockfordbrewing.com or phone (616) 951 – 4677. Tuesdays, 7:30 – 10:30, there’s an open mic jazz jam session at The Grand, 22 Washington, Grand Haven, MI. (616) 847 – 8944. Wednesdays, from 6-9 p.m. it’s “Jazz Night” at The Old Goat, 2434 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, features live jazz. See www.baaaaaaaa.com. Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther have been appearing at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids for more than 13 years, the longest continuous jazz hang in west Michigan. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com. Wednesdays, House of Music Entertainment at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, 49503, occasionally features jazz and blues. More from www.thebob.com/houseofmusic . Thursdays, 7:30-10:30 the John Shea Trio is heard at the Knickerbocker Brewpub and Distillery/New Holland Brewing Company, 417 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids. The jazz is upstairs toward the back, in the Zeppelin Lounge. Thursdays at 7 p.m. a variety of jazz bands rotate the schedule at The Book Nook and Java Shop, 8744 Ferry Street in Montague. See www.thebooknookjavashop.com and click on the calendar for Thursday night. The first Thursday evening of each month the Bill Huyge/Jeff Beavan/Dave Schock trio appear at New Harmony Hall, 401 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Phone: (616) 233-9186, or on the web, www.harmonybeer.com. Fridays at 7 p.m., “It’s a Friday Thing” features vocalist Kathy Lamar with pianist Bob VanStee and drummer Kevin Jones at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.notosoldworld.com or call (616) 493-6686. Fridays, 7 p.m. the John Shea Trio plays at the J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. Saturdays at 7:30, pianist John Shea leads his trio at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.notosoldworld.com or call (616) 493 – 6686. Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. live jazz at The Old Goat, 2434 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids The second and fourth Sundays of the month from 2-4 p.m. the River Rogues traditional jazz band (see www.theriverrogues.org ) alternate weekends with the Bill Huyge, Jeff Beavan, David Schock trio at the New Harmony Hall, 401 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Phone: (616) 233-9186, or on the web, www.harmonybeer.com. Sundays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Jazz Brunch” at The Old Goat, 2434 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, features live jazz. See www.baaaaaaaa.com. Sundays at 7 p.m. Randy Marsh’s Sunday Night Jazz Hang at The Speak EZ Lounge, 600 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids (616) 458 – 2689. A fun jam session celebrating a 3rd year anniversary Oct 18. Student jazz musicians under 21 with a parent or legal guardian have a chance to play from 8:15 until 9:00 p.m. Anyone under 21 has to leave at 9 pm. The host trio plays from 7:00 - 8:00. www.speakezlounge.com. First Sunday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra plays Founders Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Avenue S.W., downtown Grand Rapids. The GRJO is the region’s premier professional jazz orchestra. Information from www.grjo.com.

Love that band. They came around Grand Rapids, Michigan, a few times back in the day; one of Matt Wilson's last hits with them before he went with Dewey. Ah, The Reptile House. Charlie's The Explorer's Club was here within the last couple of years via www.adventuremusic.org .

Jazz From Blue Lake celebrated the short life of tenor saxophonist Herschal Evans last night, the original “Texas Tenorman” who played a key role in the Count Basie Orchestra of the 1930’s, the “old testament” band. Evans big Coleman Hawkins-inspired sound was as a foil to the melodic rhythms of tenor saxophonist Lester Young. Hear for yourself, on-line right now under “Jazz From Blue Lake,” here: www.bluelake.org/ondemand

Please join Blue Lake Public Radio this Sunday evening from 8-10 eastern for our recording of the Andrew Rathbun Trio in the Underground Concert Series (with bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Keith Hall) fromSunday, February 19th. Streaming live from www.bluelake.org/listen. For upcoming concerts in the series, please visitwww.adventuremusic.org

Last night's broadcast is available today only from www.bluelake.org/ondemand . Under programs you'll find 5 hours of Jazz From Blue Lake.

1979? First assignment for The State News (MSU): interview Ralph Towner and write a concert advance from the conversation. When I told Towner it was my first time speaking to any musician for the record, he graciously jumped in and pulled me along. The story he told about hitching a ride on a steamer ship to Europe to study classical guitar in Vienna with Karl Scheit isn’t repeated. The steamer ship part, anyway. Towner wrote a piece for The Paul Winter Consort called “Juniper Bear,” which a group of Grand Rapids musicians – Ric Troll, Marc Larson and Kevin O’Connell – took as their band name, promoting improvisational music throughout Grand Rapids in the 1970’s. Seeds are sown. Tonight, to celebrate my 34 anniversary broadcasting “Jazz From Blue Lake,” we’ll hear the music of Ralph Towner (on his 77th birthday) and give you good reason not to dread insomnia. 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. eastern via www.bluelake.org/radio

Oh man. Thanks for the story and the i.d. on the photo.

Jazz From Blue Lake featured small band swing by Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Earl "Fatha" Hines and bebop by Red Rodney, among others, last night as we focused on the majestic Keynote Jazz records produced by Harry Lim between 1943-46. For 5 hours of the finest in recorded jazz, see "Jazz From Blue Lake" under "Programs" here: www.bluelake.org/ondemand

You're right. Did you catch him there? The concert in Holland was well attended and musically intense.