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October 7, 2015 The Jazz Datebook: 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. 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 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther have been appearing at Notos 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, features jazz and blues. October 21st, the John Shea Trio. More from www.thebob.com/houseofmusic . 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. The last Thursday of the month belongs to trumpeter Brad Fritcher and Trios. See www.thebooknookjavashop.com and click on the calendar for Thursday night. 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 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. guitarist Greg Miller brings his 6-1-6 guitar concept to the J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. 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 pm. 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. Timely Hits: Thursday, October 8thtrumpeter Brian Lynch joins the Michigan State University Bebop Spartans directed by bassist Rodney Whitaker at Van Singel Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 8500 Burlingame SW, Byron Center, MI. (616) 878-6800. Friday, October 9that 6 p.m. the Art Prize award ceremony streams live from the Harris Building, 111 S. Division, Grand Rapids, with live music by the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra quartet including Paul Brewer, Robin Connell and Tim Froncek. www.artprize.org Saturday, October 10th at 7:30 Park Church in Grand Rapids presents “Sweet Honey In the Rock” as part of the “Great American Voices Concert Series.” The five women African-American a cappella ensemble is rooted in African American History and Culture and blend their voices in a spectrum of styles, from blues, gospel and jazz. Tickets are available from www.parkchurchgr.org or by phone from series curator Dr. Patrick Coyle, (616) 459-3203 ext. 129. Saturday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m. The Michigan State University Bebop Spartans with special guest, trumpeter Brian Lynch, continue their tour of the state with a concert at Center Stage Theater, West Shore Community College, Scottville. An afterglow jam session will be held at the Jamesport Brewing Company, 410 South James Street in Ludington, starting at approximately 10 p.m. There is no cover charge for this event, however early seating or reservations are highly recommended. See: http://www.westshore.edu/about/public_relations/2015/09/bebop.html Tuesday, October 13th at 8 p.m. Organissimo, the jazz organ trio, christens The New Vintage Jazz Series at New Vintage Place, 889 Broadway Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids. For members of the West Michigan Jazz Society tickets are $10, or $75 for the season of 10 concerts (once a month through February). For information see www.wmichjazz.org or phone Steve Hilger at (616) 498 – 0855. Tuesday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m. the Western Michigan University Jazz Lab Band directed by Tom Knific plays a free concert at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Van De Giessen Rd #3001, Kalamazoo Twp, MI. See www.wmich.edu/music. Thursday, October 15th Hope College’s Jazz Arts Collective, a student ensemble, performs as part of the Visiting Writers Series at 6:30 p.m. (reading at 7:30) in the new Jack H. Miller Center, John and Dede Howard Recital Hall, 221 Columbia Avenue, Holland, MI. Phone (616) 395-7890 or see www.hope.edu/music. Friday, October 16th at 7:30 p.m. pianist Aaron Diehl’s Trio performs in in the new Jack H. Miller Center, John and Dede Howard Recital Hall, 221 Columbia Avenue, Holland, MI. See http://calendar.hope.edu/event/guest_artist_-_the_aaron_diehl_jazz_trio#.VhUxzvlVhBc or Phone (616) 395-7890. Friday, October 16th at 8 p.m. pianist John Mortensen presents a solo recital of classical compositions and jazz compositions and improvisations at Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. See: https://www.cedarville.edu/Academics/Music-and-Worship/Faculty-Staff/Music/Mortensen-John.aspx Monday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m. saxophonist Dave Liebman presents his newest group “Expansions” in the John and Dede Howard Recital Hall, Jack H. Miller Center, 221 Columbia Avenue, Holland, MI. See: http://www.hope.edu/news/2015/arts/expansions-dave-liebman-group-to-perform-on-oct-19-2015.html Monday, October 19th at 6:30 the West Michigan Jazz Society’s Monday Night Jazz Series presents drummer Fred Knapp’s Trio with the return from China of vocalist Kathy Lamar and including jazz great Jeremy Siskind, piano, and David Rosin, bass. Held at The Guest House, 638 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. For details, www.wmichjazz.org. Friday, October 23rd, Hope College’s Jazz Arts Collective performs as part of an Art and Humanities Symposium featuring insights from architect Bill Blanski and jazz musician/educator Brian Coyle. This event takes place in the new John and Dede Howard Recital Hall, Jack H. Miller Center, 221 Columbia Avenue, Holland, MI. Thursday, October 29th at 6:30 p.m. vocalist Dianne Reeves in the Great Artist Gala. The Great Artist Gala is St. Cecilia Music Center’s biggest fundraising event of the year. By purchasing a ticket to this benefit you can support SCMC and all of its programs, while enjoying a fabulous evening of food, wine and music. All tickets ($125) include a roaming dinner and wine at 6:30 on all three floors of the historic Music Center at 24 Ransom Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, then an intimate concert with Grammy winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves in Royce Auditorium at 8pm. Benefactor tickets ($250) also include a donation to St. Cecilia Music Center AND a Post-Concert Reception with Dianne Reeves. Reservations from (616) 459 – 2224. See: http://www.scmc-online.org/great-artist-gala-dianne-reeves/.

September 1, 2015 The Jazz Datebook: 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. 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 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther have been appearing at Notos 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, features jazz and blues. September 2, the Steve Talaga Trio (great jazz piano); 9-9, The Steve Hilger Jazz Fusion Project; 9-30 Evidence (straight ahead and Latin jazz); 10-7, The Steve Hilger Band; 10-21, the John Shea Trio. More from www.thebob.com/houseofmusic . 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. 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. The last Thursday of the month belongs to trumpeter Brad Fritcher and Trios. See www.thebooknookjavashop.com and click on the calendar for Thursday night. 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 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. guitarist Greg Miller brings his 6-1-6 guitar concept to the J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. 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. Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. through the summer, pianist/vocalist John Shea leads his trio through the great American song book and jazz standards at New Holland Brewing Company, 66 E. 8th St., Holland. See www.newhollandbrew.com or phone (616) 355-6422. 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: Friday, September 4th through Monday, September 7thThe Detroit Jazz Festival takes place in downtown Detroit. Hundreds of concerts are scheduled, including four by artist in residence, Pat Metheny: Pat Metheny Trio with Antonio Sanchez, Scott Colley & special guest Kenny Garrett; Pat Metheny acoustic duo with bassist Ron Carter; Pat Metheny Reunion with Gary Burton Quartet; Pat Metheny, Scott Colley, Antonio Sanchez, and Danny Gottlieb with the Detroit Jazz Festival Big Band and String Orchestra, Conducted by Alan Broadbent, perform new works including the North American premiere of Metheny’s multi-movement/multi-media tribute to Eberhard Weber. More from www.detroitjazzfest.com. Thursday, September 3th through Sunday, September 6th, The Chicago Jazz Festival is held at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St, and Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. This year’s highlights include the Chicago Jazz Orchestra’s Billy Strayhorn Centennial Celebration, Art Hoyle Sextet’s tribute to Clark Terry, Jose James singing the music of Billie Holiday, and the re-union of Muhal Richard Abrams Experimental Band with Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Wadada Leo Smith and many others. See www.chicagojazzfestival.us. Thursday, September 3rd at 7 p.m. Robin Connell and Paul Brewer lead their band at Mill Point Park, 203 S. Cutler Street, Spring Lake, MI. Free. Friday, September 4th at 8 p.m. the Robin Connell Trio with drummer Paul B. Smith and bassist Chris Kjorness perform at Morat's Bakery 4747 First St, New Era, Michigan. Saturday, September 5th saxophonist Mike Frost leads his band called Project at the JW Marriott downtown GR, Mixology Lounge, 7 – 10 p.m., J.W. Marriot Hotel, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448. Saturday, September 5th at 7 p.m. the General Assemble Big Band, with vocalist Ginny Dusseau appears at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin. Saturday, September 5th at 8 p.m. Swingtooth plays Newaygo Brewing Co, 19 State Rd, Newaygo, Michigan 49337. Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 p.m. the Israeli singer/actress Ester Rada performs at Hope College’s Knickerbocker Theater, 86 E. 8th Street, Holland, MI. Rada credits Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin as her musical influences, alongside Eryka Badu, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. Tickets from (616) 395 – 7890. Thursday, September 10th at 9 p.m. organist Tony Monaco jams at Our Brewing Company, 76 E. 8th Street, Holland, MI. (616) 994 – 8417. See: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tony-monaco-mn0000013079. Thursday, September 10th at 7 in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, IN, the 10 day Indy Jazz Fest kicks off. Friday, September 11th, Dr. Lonnie Smith plays organ, among others. A full schedule is available from www.indygo.net. Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. “Jazz in the Sanctuary” returns to Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, with pianists Robin Connell and Paul Johnston, associate professor of jazz studies at Eastern Illinois University and a member of the jazz piano faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp. Tickets from (917) 846 – 2081 or ruthstein@gmail.com. Sunday, September 13th at 3 p.m. world flutist Gary Stroutsos with a quintet featuring woodwinds by Ken Morgan, world percussion and voice by Carolyn Koebel; vibraphonist Jim Cooper; and bassist Denis Shebukhov appear in “Woodwinds Without Boundaries” at Petter Wine Gallery Barn, 161 N. Blue Star Highway, Douglas MI. Information from kenmorganjazz@gmail.com or (269) 358 – 8028. Saturday, September 19th at 6 p.m. the Jim Cooper Quartet with trumpeter Dmitry Matheny at Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Highway, Douglas, MI. See: http://saugatuckbrewing.com/events/live-music-jim-cooper-trio/ . Sunday, September 20th at 3 p.m. the Gebhard Ullmann/Steve Swell Chicago Project with cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and drummer/percussionist Michael Zerang open the new season of The Underground Series, curated by Blue Lake Public Radio’s own Lazaro Vega and made possible with support from www.adventuremusic.org, at LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids. “Gebhard Ullmann is one of the finest improvising artist in the world today,” said pianist Paul Bley of the Berlin-based saxophonist/bass clarinetist. This concert is made possible in part by the Goethe Institute. Further explorations in sound are scheduled from The Gary McCourry Saxophone Ensemble, the Matt Ulery large chamber jazz ensemble In the Ivory, and a one of a kind meeting between percussionists Adam Rudolph and Hamid Drake. Information from (616) 451 – 9820 or www.lafontsee.us. Monday, September 21st at 6:30 p.m. the West Michigan Jazz Society launches their new Monday Night Jazz Series season at The Guest House, 638 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, with vocalist Patty Gayle and the Mark Kahny Trio. See www.wmichjazz.org.