Blue Lake's Jazz Datebook

[Lazaro Vega]

January 17, 2007

The Jazz Datebook:

Mondays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a jam session open to musicians and vocalists and featuring local, regional and international jazz musicians as a “house” band. No cover charge. www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341.

Every Tuesday and Friday there’s jazz in Ada during the dinner hour (6 to 9 p.m.), with trumpeter/vocalist/entertainer Sweet Willie Singleton at the Thornapple Daily Grill, 445 Ada Drive, Ada, MI. (616) 676-1233. www.thegilmorecollection.com/Thornapple/thornapple.html

Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sweet Willie Singleton plays trumpet, sings and entertains at Bite Piano Bar and Restaurant, 151 Ottawa Avenue, in the Waters Building, downtown Grand Rapids.

Wednesdays, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Rick Reuther sings at Notos Italian Restaurant, 6600 28th St. SE., Grand Rapids. Rick Reuther with drummer Cherie Lynn and pianist Tom Hagen. See http://www.notosoldworld.com/ or www.rickreuthersings.com

Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Willie Singleton is heard at Gill’s Blue Crab Lounge in The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. N.W., Grand Rapids.

Every Thursday at 8 p.m. ‘Til Midnight in Holland features live jazz in the dining room. Thursday, January 18th Blue Coast Quartet; Thursday, January 25th Michael Holmes; February Events: Friday, February 2nd, Full Count in the deli at 9p.m.; Thursday, February 22nd, Micheal Doyle's Evidence, hard bop, Latin and modal jazz. ‘Till Midnight, 171 East 24th Street, Holland. For more information, (616) 392 – 6883 or www.tillmidnight.biz .

Thursdays from 7 to 11 p.m. Restaurant Toulouse, 246 Culver Street, Saugatuck, features live jazz. (269) 857 – 1561.

Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. live local jazz at The Grand Seafood and Oyster Bar, 24 Washington St., Grand Haven. Live local jazz or blues guitarists on Wednesday evenings from 8 to 11 p.m. (616) 844- 5055.

Friday evenings live jazz at Two Tonys Taverna Grille, 711 E. Savidge, Spring Lake, 616-844-0888.

Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pumpernickles, 202 Butler St., Saugatuck, pianist Jim Cooper plays music of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Roger and Lorenz Hart.

Wednesday, January 17 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The 21 piece Beltline Big Band presents a big band dance at The Peninsular Club (Ottawa and Fountain Street, downtown Grand Rapids). Tickets $7 at the door. (616) 459 – 3261. www.beltlinebigband.com.

Fridays jazz and other music at The Grand Rapids Art Museum, Lyon and Division, downtown Grand Rapids. www.gramonline.org for more information. Music heard Fridays from 6:15-8:15 p.m.: January 19, Dave Colee Trio with Ginny Dusseau; January 26, The Wonderland Jazz Ensemble.

Thursday, January 18th, Dr. John Hair’s New Connections is heard live from the studios of Blue Lake Public Radio as we continue the series Live From Blue Lake. Trombonist and educator Dr. John Hair (former owner of Dr. J’s Jazz Coffee House) is described by The Grand Rapids Press as, "One of West Michigan’s preeminent jazz trombonists, arrangers and band leaders [who] kicks out stellar original compositions dedicated to family members and friends." For more information see: http://cdbaby.com/cd/drjohnhair. This performance live from our studios is part of a five concert series underwritten by Mack Avenue Records, “The Road To Great Music,” at www.mackavenue.com . The series is supported by the Holland Area Arts Council and is a program of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs. All shows at 10 p.m. Feburary 8th, Trio Con Brio with pianist Phil DeGregg, bassist Paul Keller and drummer Tim Froncek; March 21st The Western Jazz Quartet from Western Michigan Unviersity in Kalamazoo; April 9th, trumpeter Sweet Willie Singleton’s Quintet with special guest drummer Ronnie Gardiner. Please tell a friend to listen live via www.bluelake.org !

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 19th, 20th, and 21st The Side Street Strutters join Associate Conductor John Varineau and the Grand Rapids Symphony for a series of concerts dedicated to the music of early jazz giants Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Artmstrong, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. Evoking, especially, the spirit of New Orleans jazz, The State Street Strutters are a main attraction at Disneyland in California. Their concerts are shows with comedy routines, dance, costumes and audience participation. Tickets are $26 to $36. Information from (616) 454-9451 ext. 4 or from www.grsymphony.org.

Saturday, January 20th at 6 p.m. the Fred Knapp Trio performs during a Jazz Vespers service at First United Methodist Church, 227 East Fulton (just East of Jefferson) downtown Grand Rapids. Phone (616) 451-2879 or see www.grandrapidsfumc.org. For a full schedule of jazz drummer Fred Knapp’s playing, www.fredknappmusic.com .

Saturday, January 20th at 7 p.m. the electic jazz duo from Chicago of vocalist Typhanie Monique and guitarist Neal Alger perform two sets at The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. $15 tickets available through (269) 857 – 2399 or www.sc4a.org. See http://www.tymoneal.com/main.html for more information about the musicians.

Monday, January 22nd The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra from 7:30 to 9:30 at the Kopper Top Guest House, “Where the Big Bands Play,” 638 Stocking N.W., Grand Rapids. $5 at the door. Big band jazz on the 4th Monday of the month.

Tuesday, January 23rd at 7:30 p.m. The Truth in Jazz Orchestra wails at the West Side Inn, Beidler St., Muskegon. The sixteen piece big band led by bassist/bass trombonist Dave Collee features a swinging book and regular guests such as drummer Tim Froncek and trumpeter Dan Jacobs (see: http://www.danjacobsmusic.com/home.html ) . The band is reportedly working on a debut CD.

Saturday, February 3rd at 8 p.m. the cuban jazz combo Tumbao Bravo with conguero Alberto Nacif and saxophonist Paul VornHagen appear a The Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner Street, Lansing, MI 48906. (517) 487 – 9549 or www.creolegallery.com .

Thursday, February 8, 2007, The David Sanborn Group at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Avenue SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493-8966 or www.fhfineartscenter.com/Performances.html .

Saturday, February 10th at 8 p.m. pianist Johnny O’Neil, who played the role of Art Tatum in the Oscar-winning film “Ray” starring Jamie Fox, and was recently inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame, appears at The C Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner Street, Lansing, MI 48906. (517) 487 – 9549 or www.creolegallery.com .

Sunday, February 11th at 7 p.m. in The B.O.B. Grand Rapids native Danny Heines returns from his home for the last 17 in the San Fransisco Bay area to present a solo guitar concert. Raised in a jazz household, Danny Heines’ own music encompasses Eastern Europe and Africa. His most recent CD, “What Worlds They Bring” reached number one on the syndicated radio program “Echoes” and number four on the NAV national airplay chart. Tickets are $12.95 in advance and $14.95 at the door. Available through Star Tickets Plus from (616) 222-4000. For more information see www.dannyheines.com or conact Carolyn Heines at (616) 774 – 4136.

Sunday, February 11th at 8 p.m. Herculaneum, five young Chicago musicians playing creative music -- Patrick Newberry, trumpet; Nick Broste, trombone; David McDonnell, alto saxophone/clarinet; Greg Danek, bass; and Dylan Ryan drums/vibraphone/piano -- at Mexicains Sans Frontieres, 120 South Division Ave. #226, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, (616) 706-7963. $10 at the door. Herculaneum’s debut CD, “Orange Blossom” was broadcast during “Out On Blue Lake.” See www.herculaneumsound.com or www.482music.com

Tuesday, February 13th at 8 p.m. Brazilian jazz vocalist Luciana Souza with pianist Edward Simon present a tribute to the Poetry of Pablo Neruda at Wellspring Theater, the Epic Center, Kalamazoo. The Chilean poet who won the 1971 Nobel Prize for literature, Pablo Neruda’s poetry is set to music based on Catalan composer Federico Mompou’s “Songs and Dances.” The 2004 recording of this work was rated the Wall Street Journal’s top ten. Tickets are $20 with discounts for students and seniors. The Epic Center Box Office, (800) 228-9858. This concert is a presentation of Fontana Chamber Arts, (269) 382- 7774, www.fontanachamberarts.org.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. The Luciana Souza Quintet at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. In collaboration with Education For the Arts (EFA). Her ensemble for this concert, The New Bossa Nova, includes Edward Simon, piano; Antonio Sanchez, drums; Scott Colley, bass and Romero Lubambo, guitar. The concert features works by modern American songwriters presented in an aesthetic setting inspired by the late 1950’s early 1960’s Brazilian Bossa Nova. Three-time Grammy nominee Luciana Souza hails from São Paulo, Brazil, where she grew up in a family of musicians. She currently teaches at Manhattan School of Music, in New York. Ms. Souza has participated in more than thirty recordings lead by jazz greats such as Danilo Perez (on two Grammy-nominated albums), George Garzone, Kenny Wheeler, Steve Kuhn, John Patitucci, and Maria Schneider, among others. In 2005, Luciana was awarded Female Jazz Singer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Adult tickets are $30 with student and group discounts available. For tickets, 269-382-7774 or on-line at www.fontanachamberarts.org .

Saturday, February 17 at 6 p.m. a Jazz Vespers Service featuring music by trombonist Paul Brewer with pianist/vocalist Robin Connell's Jazz Quartet, poetry readings by Stelle Slootmaker, and painting by T’Alyne. This local “happening” featuring Grand Rapids artists is part of the 34th annual Celebration of the Arts at First United Methodist Church, 227 East Fulton Street (downtown Grand Rapids). For more information call (616) 451-2879 or visit www.grandrapidsfumc.org Free will offering for a charitable cause.

Friday, March 30th, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Pianist Kenny Barron’s Trio featuring Stefon Harris, marimbist, vibraphonist & composer at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. Kenny Barron’s unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms is what inspired The Los Angeles Times to name him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly to call him “the most lyrical piano player of our time.” Rounding out the trio are drummer Ben Riley and Bassist Ray Drummond. Tickets from www.fontanachamberarts.org or 269-382-7774.

[Lazaro Vega]

April 13, 2007

The Jazz Datebook:

Mondays from 7 to 10 p.m. jazz fusion bands Groove Merchant and Adams Apple alternate at The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. S.W., Grand Rapids. Phone (616) 451-8232.

Mondays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a jam session open to musicians and vocalists and featuring local, regional and international jazz musicians as a “house” band. No cover charge. www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341.

Every Tuesday and Friday there’s jazz in Ada during the dinner hour (6 to 9 p.m.), with trumpeter/vocalist/entertainer Sweet Willie Singleton at the Thornapple Daily Grill, 445 Ada Drive, Ada, MI. (616) 676-1233. www.thegilmorecollection.com/Thornapple/thornapple.html

Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sweet Willie Singleton plays trumpet, sings and entertains at Bite Piano Bar and Restaurant, 151 Ottawa Avenue, in the Waters Building, downtown Grand Rapids.

Wednesdays, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Rick Reuther sings at Notos Italian Restaurant, 6600 28th St. S.E., Grand Rapids. Rick Reuther plays with drummer Cherie Lynn and pianist Tom Hagen. See http://www.notosoldworld.com/ or www.rickreuthersings.com

Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Willie Singleton is heard at Gill’s Blue Crab Lounge in The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. N.W., Grand Rapids.

Every Thursday at 8 p.m. ‘Til Midnight in Holland features live jazz in the dining room. Thursdays, April 19th, jazz with the trumpeter Chris Lawrence's Trio; April 26th, Jazz Ave; May 3rd, jazz with blue Coast Quartet; Sunday, May 6th, Jazz Brunch 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday, May 10th, jazz with Junior Valentine; Sunday, May 13th, Jazz Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursdays, May 17th, jazz with tenor saxophonist Michael Doyle and Evidence; May 24th, jazz with Moments Notice. ‘Till Midnight, 171 East 24th Street, Holland. For more information, (616) 392 – 6883 or www.tillmidnight.biz .

Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. live local jazz at The Grand Seafood and Oyster Bar, 24 Washington St., Grand Haven. Live local jazz or blues guitarists on Wednesday evenings from 8 to 11 p.m. (616) 844- 5055.

Friday evenings live jazz at Two Tonys Taverna Grille, 711 E. Savage, Spring Lake, 616-844-0888.

Saturdays from 7 to 11 p.m. Restaurant Toulouse, 246 Culver Street, Saugatuck, features live jazz. (269) 857 – 1561.

Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pumpernickels, 202 Butler St., Saugatuck, pianist Jim Cooper plays music of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Roger and Lorenz Hart.

Fridays jazz and other music at The Grand Rapids Art Museum, Lyon and Division, downtown Grand Rapids. See www.gramonline.org for more information. Music heard Fridays from 6:15-8:15 p.m.: Friday, April 20th, Jr. Valentine and the All Stars; April 27th, vocalist Rick Ruether; May 11th, The Dave Colley Quartet with Ginnie Dusseau; May 18th vocalist Mary Rademacher.

Saturday, April 14th at 8 p.m. the Truth in Jazz Orchestra appears at the Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival in Hastings. Then, Tuesday, April 17th, The Truth in Jazz Orchestra wails at the West Side Inn, Beidler St., Muskegon. The sixteen piece big band led by bassist/bass trombonist Dave Collee features a swinging book and regular guests such as drummer Tim Froncek and trumpeter Dan Jacobs. See their web site: www.tijo.org .

Monday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m. the West Michigan Jazz Society presents the next Jazz Gumbo Showcase concert with Francesca Amari and the Mark Kahny Trio featuring Michael Holmes as Judy Garland in a program called “Girl Swingers” held at The Kopper Top Guest House, 634 Stocking NW, Grand Rapids. Phone (616) 458 – 0125.

Wednesday, April 18th at 8 p.m. pianist George Winston (www.georgewinston.com) appears in a benefit for the Inner City Christian Federation at the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Dinner at 6 p.m. with the solo performance at 8 p.m. Winston’s recent recording, “Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions” is dedicated to New Orleans and features compositions of Henry Butler, James Booker, Professor Longhair and Doctor John amongst others. Tickets for both the dinner and concert at $125; $60 for the concert alone; $35 for concert only student tickets. Phone (616) 336 – 9333 ext. 118 or e-mail concert@iccf.org.

Monday April 16th, Tuesday April 17th and Wednesday April 18th at 7:30 p.m. the Hope College jazz ensembles appear in a series of concerts on campus. On the 16th the Contemporary Ensemble and vocal jazz groups appear; on the 17th three groups share the stage: the Blue Note, Verve and Vanguard Ensembles. Both concerts take place in the Wichers Auditorium of the Nykerk Hall of Music. Then on the 18th the Jazz and Mainstream Ensembles appear in Dimnent Memorial Chapel. Admission is free to all three concerts is free.

Wednesday, April 18th from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The 21 piece Beltline Big Band presents a big band dance at The Peninsular Club (Ottawa and Fountain Street, downtown Grand Rapids). Tickets $7 at the door. (616) 459 – 3261. www.beltlinebigband.com.

Friday, April 20th at 8 p.m. pianist Steve Talaga leads a nine piece instrumental ensemble in a program of original music inspired by Linda Nemec Foster’s book of poems “Contemplating the Heavens.” Foster will read her poems between each movement of the suite. Blue Lake’s Lazaro Vega wrote liner notes for the CD version of “Contemplating the Heavens.” The performance takes place at Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Center, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids. Tickets are $7 at the door, $5 for students. Information from www.aquinas.edu/music or by calling (616) 632 – 2413.

Friday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. the Northview High School Jazz ensemble is joined by trumpeter Sweet Willie Singleton (recently featured “Live From Blue Lake”) at the Northview Performing Arts Center, 4451 Hunsberger N.E., Grand Rapids. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students.

Friday, April 20th at 8 p.m. The Ying Quartet (www.esm.rochester.edu/faculty/?id=19) with special guests Satoshi Takeishi (percussion) and Patrick Zimmerli (saxophone) perform their rare blend of improvised jazz and composed classical music at Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. The program includes music by Samuel Barber and Michael Torke. For information The Fontana Chamber Arts phone number is (269) 382 – 7774 of on-line via www.fontanachamberarts.org.

Sunday, April 22nd at 4 p.m. a swing revue called “Steppin’ Out” featuring vocalists Mary Rademacher and Rick Reuther with accompanist Tom Hagen at Unity Church of Peace, 6025 Ada Drive S.E., Ada. $15 with reception following the concert.

Monday, April 23rd The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra appears at The Kopper Top Guest House, 634 Stocking N.W., Grand Rapids, at 7:30 p.m. $3.

Wednesday, April 25th at 7:30 p.m. Cornerstone University’s Fine Arts Division presents the Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble’s spring concert in the Corum Student Union, Cornerstone University, 1001 East Beltline Avenue, Grand Rapids. The concert is free and families are welcome.

Thursday, April 26th at 7:30 p.m. Organissimo (www.organissimo.org) performs at a fundraiser for the Holland Habitat for Humanity. The performance takes place at Macatawa Band, 141 East 8th Street, Holland. See www.lakeshorehabitat.org.

Friday, April 28th at 8 p.m. the Jim Cooper Trio with Cooper, vibes, Darrel Tidaback, bass, and Mike Van Lente, drums, appears a the Saugatuck Center for the Arts Performance Studio, Saugatuck. Phone (269) 857 – 2399 or on-line www.sc4a.org.

Friday, April 28th at 7 p.m. the 21-piece Beltline Big Band plays a dinner-dance at the Middle Villa Inn, Middleville (www.middle-villa-inn.com). Tickets for dinner and dancing, $22.95. Just dancing, $8. RSVP (616) 891 – 1287. Also see www.beltlinebigband.com .

Tuesday, May 15th at 7:30 p.m. the Musekgon Community Concert Association presents the “Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra” at the Frauenthal Theater, Muskegon. The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra is directed since 2002 by Bill Tole, the jazz trombonist from Pittsburg who’s recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra amongst others. See www.billtole.com or www.jimmydorseyorchestra.com for more on the current version of the swing band. Tickets are $15 to $20 and available via Star Tickets Plus from 1-800-585-3737 or at the Frauenthal Box Office Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.