4-23 Jazz Datebook

[Lazaro Vega]

April 23, 2014

The Jazz Datebook:

Regular Hits:

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 68^th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341.

Mondays from 8 to 11 p.m. pianist/vocalist John Shea swings downtown Grand Rapids with bassist Warren Jones III and drummer Fred Knapp from The Republic, 45 South Division. Urban hang. www.republicgrandrapids.com.

Tuesdays from 9:30 to 12:30 a.m. the fluid improvising trumpeter Chris Lawrence and Friends present original music at The Winchester, 648 Wealthy Street S.E., Grand Rapids. www.chrislawrencemusic.com

Tuesdays at 7 p.m. it is diva time at Bar Divani, 15 Ionia Ave. N.W., Grand Rapids, as the finest female singers in the area step up and swing. Coming up April 29, Kathy Lamar and Bob VanStee; May 6, Diana Vandewater; 5-13, Molly Bouwsma Schultz and Rayan K. Wilson; May 20, Sylvia Brooks Taylor and Mark Kahny; 5-27, Mary Rademacher Reed and Mark Kahny. For a full schedule: http://www.bar-divani.com/tastings-a-events/live-music Phone (616) 774 – 9463.

Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28^th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday live piano jazz is heard from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mangiamo, 1033 Lake Drive S.E., Grand Rapids. Wednesday, 4-23, Greg Miller; 4-24, Mark Kahny; 4-25, Robin Connell; 4-26, Bob VanStee and Kathy Lamar; Wednesday, 4-30, Freddy DeGennaro; 5-1, Paul Lesinski; 5-2, Robin Connell; 5-3, Monica Da Silva; Wednesday, May 7^th, Michael Drost; 5-8, Paul Lesinski; 5-9, Robin Connell; 5-10, Bob VanStee and Kathy LaMar; Wednesday, May 14, Greg Miller; 5-15, Mark Kahny; 5-16, Chris Corey; 5-17, Roger Mac and Tami Hjelm; Wednesday, May 21, Freddy DeGennaro; 5-22, Mark Kahny; 5-23, Paul Lesinski and Mary Radamacher-Reed; 5-24, Paul Lesinski; Wednesday, May 28, Michael Drost; 5-29, Bill Davidson; 5-30, Robin Connell; 5-31, Steve Talaga and Mark Jackson. Information from (616) 742 – 0600. www.thegilmorecollection.com.

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. Among the bands on the rotation: Checker’s Morton, a jazz band loved by Unitarians and good listeners alike, features pianist/composer Bob VanStee; The Lakewinds Jazz Quartet with Dave Collee on trombone and bass, Vince Liefers at the piano, Tim Froncek, drums, and special guest Tom Stansell, saxophones play straight ahead; the Dave Collee Quartet with pianist Eric Thorne and vocalist Ginny Dusseau, drummer Tim Froncek, and saxophonist/flutist Bob Nixon bring a night club vibe; Multi-instrumentalist (bass and trombone) Dave Collee’s Quartet plays great jazz standards. See www.thebooknookjavashop.com and click on the calendar for Thursday night.

Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., pianist-vocalist Robin Connell plays in the Lumber Baron Bar at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids. See www.robinconnell.com.

Thursdays, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. “The Mood Swings” swing a taste at Eurobistro, 6450 28^th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. With drummer Milt Szernick, bassist Jeff Beavin, keyboards by Ed Dublis, saxophone by Charlie Royce and the voices of Angie or Hanna Royce, this band comes to play for you listening pleasure. They’ll play every other Thursday. Information from (616) 719 – 2017.

Thursdays at 7 p.m. jazz at the Red Rooster Tavern, 2998 Scenic Drive, Muskegon, resumes in May. Drummer Tim Johnson is music director for this series of live local jazz talent. See www.redroostertavern.com or phone (231) 744 – 4006.

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.

Fridays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Swingtooth plays the Jazz Brunch at the Hit The Road Joe Café, 7291 Elm Ave., Croton (2 miles north of M-82). Swingtooth plays standards on acoustic, hand built guitars by Lee and David Middleman, with Chris Cudworth on bass. Also, Saturdays May17th and Sunday June 8^th they’ll play Jazz Brunch at the Book Nook and Java Shop in Montague, 10am to noon. See www.hittheroadjoe.moonfruit.com or www.facebook.com/Swingtooth.

Saturdays at 7:30, pianist John Shea leads his trio at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28^th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.notosoldworld.com or call (616) 493 – 6686.

Saturdays at 7 p.m. guitarist Steve Hilger’s Trio Jazz appears at the Louis Benton Steak House, 35 Ionia Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. (616) 454-7455.

Sundays, Randy Marsh’s Sunday Night Jazz Hang at The Speak EZ Lounge, 600 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids, is a fun jam session. Information from (616) 458 – 2689. Student musicians under 21 with a parent or legal guardian will have a chance to play with Marsh from 7 to 9; the host trio plays from 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. 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.

Timely Hits:

Thursday, April 24^th at 9 p.m. jazz organist Tony Monaco (www.b3monaco.com) appears at The Park Theater, 248 South River, Holland. (616) 355- 7275. Monaco’s visit is coordinated with Hope College and will include a music workshop/clinic.

Thursday, April 24, 2014, vocalist Cyrille Aimee and Friends appear at the Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, Michigan State University, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. In 2007, Cyrille won both the First and Public Prizes in the Montreaux Jazz Festival Competition, and at the tender age of 26, she has already released four CDs internationally. Her rich background (born in France, émigré to Central America) taught her the driving force of Dominican rhythm and French Gypsy swing, Tickets from (517) 393-1982 or www.whartoncenter.com.

Thursday, April 24^th, Friday, April 25^th and Saturday, April 26^th, the 11^th Annual Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival takes place in Hastings, MI, with this year’s headliners including The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Edye Evans-Hyde, WMU’s Gold Company, Big Band Nouveau, the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra and many more. Information from www.thornapplearts.org/jazzfestival2014/

Saturday, April 26^th at 7:30 p.m. jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee presents her show, “Direct From Paris,” at Center Stage Theater, West Shore Community College, Scottville, MI. Combining Dominican rhythms with French Gypsy swing, the 26 year old Aimee presents a concert unique to her upbringing. Tickets and information from www.westshore.edu or (231) 843 – 5507.

Sunday, April 27 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Jason Moran’s Fats Waller Dance Party at the Williams Theatre, Gilmore Theatre Complex, Kalamazoo. Originally performed in 2011 at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Fontana and the Gilmore Keyboard Festival are pleased to present Moran’s Fats Waller Dance Party, a high-spirited tribute to Waller that builds on his tunes with rhythms from Motown to house to hip-hop. With Jason Moran, piano; Jose James and Lisa Harris, vocals; Charles Haynes, drums; Tarus Mateen, bass; Lavon Henry, sax; Corey King, trombone; and Leron Thomas, trumpet. Single tickets will be available for sale starting in January 2014 through the Miller AuditoriumBox Office. (269) 382 7774 or www.fontanachamberarts.org.

Sunday, April 27^th at 7 p.m. Western Michigan University’s Jazz Orchestra, directed by Tom Knific, celebrates the release of their new CD ”Travel Notes” with a CD release party in The Union Cabaret and Grille, 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Information from (269) 384 – 6756.

Tuesday, April 29^th at 8 p.m. the Chicago Underground Duo featuring Rob Mazurek and Chad Taylor plays their creative improvised music at Louie’s Trophy House Grill, 440 East North Street, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Doors open at 8 with the WMU Jazz All Stars and Prognosis Negative improvising freely. Information from www.northernspyrecords.com.

Monday, April 28th at 2:00 PM, pianist Jeremy Siskind appears as part of the Gilmore Keyboard Festival at the Wellspring Theater, 369 South Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Following his win at the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition last year, Jeremy Siskind is recognized as a top jazz pianist of his generation. This one-hour afternoon jazz break will feature Siskind performing works by Duke Ellington and some of Siskind’s own compositions. Information from www.thegilmore.org or 800 228 9858.

Wednesday, April 30^th at 6 p.m. the Kalamazoo Jazz and Creative Institute hosts a concert in conjunction with International Jazz Day 2014 at the Union Cabaret and Grille, 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo MI 49007. This free event features over 25 musicians including the Four Corners vocal jazz quartet; vocalist Ashely Daneman; the KANOLA Jass Band of New Orleans; Western Michigan University-based Songsmith Collective and Fusion Base. Each band will play a half hour set until 9 p.m. when guitarist Bryan Blowers runs a jam session. This is the inaugural event of the Kalamazoo Jazz and Creative Institute. Information from www.kjci.org .

Thursday, May 1^st at 6:30 and 9:00 PM, pianist Jacky Terrasson’s Trio performs at The Williams Theatre, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49008. Born in Berlin, Jacky Terrasson grew up in Paris studying piano from age five, moving to the US to study at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He won the Thelonious Monk Award in 1993 and was named one of the “30 under 30” by The New York Times Magazine, meaning he’s a musician most likely to change American culture in the next 30 years. Terrasson is joined by drummer Jamire Williams and bassist Burniss Travis II for this concert. Information from www.thegilmore.org or 800 228 9858.

Tuesday, May 2, 2014 at 7:30 pm, an evening of “Cool Jazz” with the return of jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and the award winning Byron Center jazz ensembles at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingam S.W., Grand Rapids. www.wycliffegordon.com

Sunday, May 4^th at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. jazz great Barry Harris leads his trio at The Williams Theatre, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49008. Barry Harris carries the torch of bebop. Harris is part of Detroit’s great post war zeitgeist. His inevitable move to New York placed him under the influence of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk and found him accompanying the great Coleman Hawkins, among others. Harris received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Information from www.thegilmore.org or 800 228 9858.

Sunday, May 4^th at 3 p.m. The River Rogues Jazz Band plays a jazz party for The West Shore Jazz Society at the Oak Ridge Country Club, 513 West Pontaluna Road, Muskegon. With Jim Everhart, piano; David Kadwell, banjo; Paul Keen, tuba; Chrisian VanDuinen, percussion; David Wells, trombone; Ken Huisman, clarinet/saxophones; and David Schock, trumpet. See www.theriverrogues.org for upcoming concerts by this traditional jazz band. Information from Bill Blakeman, (231)759-0071, or wjblakeman@aol.com . Reservations from (231)733-0071.

Thursday, May 8^th at noon, the Danny Grissett Trio plays the Civic Auditorium, 329 South Park Street, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Then, on Friday, May 9^th at noon Grissett’s trio performs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 1 Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek MI 49017. A sparkling pianist as well as a fine young composer, Danny Grissett’s star has been on the rise lately as he’s a favorite accompanist to a growing body of leaders including trumpeters Jim Rotondi, Jeremy Pelt, and Tom Harrell. A native of Los Angeles, Danny Grissett is a fixture on the New York jazz scene for more than ten years. He appears at the Gilmore Keyboard Festival with Joe Martin on bass and Jonathan Barber on drums. Information from www.thegilmore.org or 800 228 9858.

Thursday, May 8^th at noon, pianist Adam Makowicz plays the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 1 Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek MI 49017. Then on Friday, May 9^th at noon, he plays the Civic Auditorium, 329 South Park Street, Kalamazoo MI 49007. Jazz pianist Adam Makowicz was born in what is now the Czech Republic. He studied classical music at the Chopin Conservatory of Music in Krakow, then dropped out to pursue his interest in jazz, forming one of Europe’s first free jazz groups in the 1950s. Following a ten-week concert tour of the US in 1977, Makowicz moved to New York and eventually Toronto. A prolific artist, recording more than 50 albums of jazz, popular and classical music, along with his own arrangements of works by Chopin, Gershwin, Berlin, Kern, Porter, Rogers and other composers, Makowicz commemorated the 150th anniversary of Chopin’s death by playing at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. Information from www.thegilmore.org or 800 228 9858.

Thursday, May 8th from 6:30 to 10 p.m. the West Michigan Jazz Society honors trumpeter/drummer/educator Max Colley III as the 2014 Jazz Musician of the Year at Thousand Oaks Golf Club, 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr. N.E., Grand Rapids, 49525. Reservations from (616) 490 – 9506 or www.wmichjazz.org. Max hand picked the band for the evening and it includes Diego Rivera, saxophones; Eve Renee, voice; Terry Lower, piano; Ethan Eriksen, bass, and Tim Froncek, drums.

Thursday, May 15th the Truth in Jazz Orchestra (www.tijo.org) participates in Spring Lake High School’s annual spring jazz concert. The high school and jr. high school bands appear, too, at Spring Lake High School Auditorium, 16140 148th Avenue, Spring Lake MI 49456. Information from Mike Truszkowski, e-mail: mtruszkowski@springlakeschools.org.

Friday, and Saturday May 16th, 17th at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 18th at 3 p.m. the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, the most sought-after big band in the world today, returns to DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids MI 49503, to appear with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Varineau. See http://www.grsymphony.org/concerts/fox-motors-pops-series/glenn-miller-orchestra#sthash.YHMoCBjT.dpuf Information from (800) 982 -9787.

Saturday, May 31^st at 7 p.m. the West Michigan Jazz Society presents an evening with Grammy Award winning pianist Ruslan Sirota at the Peter M. Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Avenue S.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 490 – 9506 or www.wmichjazz.org. Sirota recently accompanied vocalist Josh Groban, and has appeared with jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, pianist Chick Corea and vocalist Seal.

Sunday, June 15^th through Friday, June 20^th, the Aquinas College Jazz Camp is held at the Aquinas College Art And Music Center, 1607 Robinson Road S.E., Grand Rapids MI 49506. Full information available here: http://www.aquinas.edu/music/jazz_camp.html.

Monday, June 30^th through Wednesday, July 2^nd, the Kalamazoo Jazz and Creative Institute presents JAZZSTART, a three day workshop for advanced high school musicians in the fundamentals of jazz. Registration and information on-line from www.kjci.org or by calling (616) 706 – 3946.

Friday, February 20, 2015, the Kris Bowers Trio appears in “Dinner and a Show” presented by the Fontana Chamber Arts in Kalamazoo. 6:30 p.m. dinner and 8 p.m. performance at Cityscape at the City Centre, Kalamazoo. Information from www.fontanachamberarts.org or (269) 382-7774.

[johnblitweiler]

that Jason Moran show is sorta fun if you don't care about Fars Waller