The Jazz Datebook, March 10, 2009

[Lazaro Vega]

March 10, 2009

The Jazz Datebook:

Regular Hits:

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 sitting in with the “house” band with pianist Wally Michaels, bassist Jeff Beavin and drummer Jack Wilkins. No cover charge. Music also presented Saturdays and Sundays. www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341.

Tuesday March 24th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 The Truth In Jazz Orchestra plays swing and improvisational jazz at The West Side Inn, 1635 Beidler St, Muskegon, MI. They’ve recently added some Gordon Goodwin arrangements to their book and have developed a feature for their fearsome trumpet section. Fronted by West Michigan's legendary drummer Tim Froncek the TIJO is 16 Muskegon’s crowning glory. More from www.tijo.org.

Thursdays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Baton Rouge, LA native Sweet Willie Singleton, or varying cast of Grand Rapids jazz musicians, swing at Gill’s Blue Crab Lounge in The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. N.W., Grand Rapids.

Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. live music in the Peter M. Wege Pavilion at The Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids, with a Jazz Encore from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 13th, guitarist Mike Hyde’s Trio; 20th, saxophonist Chris Bickley’s Trio; 27th, drummer Randy Marsh’s Trio; April, 3rd, saxophonist Laurie Sears’s Trio; 10th, pianist/vocalist Robin Connell’s Trio; 17th, saxophonist Bill Sears’s Trio, 24th drummer/vocalist Fred Knapp’s trio. (GRAM is also presenting classical chamber music Sunday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m.). See www.artmuseumgr.org or call (616) 831 – 1000.

Three Fridays a month trumpeter/vocalist/entertainer Sweet Willie Singleton plays jazz in Ada during the dinner hour (6 to 9 p.m.) at the Thornapple Daily Grill, 445 Ada Drive, Ada, MI. (616) 676-1233 www.thegilmorecollection.com/Thornapple/thornapple.html.

Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. live local jazz, blues and other musical forms 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.

Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pumpernickels, 202 Butler St., Saugatuck, guitarist Chip Kristi plays jazz for breakfast. (269) 857-1196.

Timely Hits:

Friday, March 13th from 7 to 10 p.m. Big Daddy Fox plays R&B at The Alley Door Club, part of the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Muskegon. Music is heard on the second and fourth Fridays of each month until May 8th. March 27th, Root Doctor plays the blues; April 10th is singer/songwriter night; April 24th Troll For Trout plays modern folk; and May 8th the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Jazz All Stars swing hard. Tickets are $6 at the door. Information from (231) 727 – 8001 or www.frauenthal.info.

Sunday, March 15th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra at Founder’s Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Avenue S.W., Grand Rapids. No admission charge. Information from www.grjo.com.

Friday, March 13th at 8:15 p.m. the Western Jazz Quintet with guest trumpeter Ingrid Jensen is heard in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. Tickets are $10; $5 for students; available at the door. (800) 228 – 9858.

Saturday, March 14th all day, the 29th Annual The Western Invitational Jazz Festival features outstanding high school jazz bands and concludes with a 7:30 p.m. performance by trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and the University Jazz Orchestra in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo.

Saturday, March 14th, the 8 piece Ann Arbor/Detroit based ensemble NOMO, whose “roots are firmly planted in the fertile soil of African polyrhythm and American free jazz,” lets rip at Founders Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids. $6, must be 21 or older to attend. See www.nomomusic.com and www.foundersbrewing.com .

Sunday, March 15th at 2 p.m. the Grammy-nonimated pianist Alina Morr swings the Sky Hempy Keyboard Performance Series at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts with her take on Latin Jazz. Tickets are $15 for adults, children under 18, free. The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, is on-line at www.sc4a.org or (269) 857 – 2399.

Monday, March 16th from 6 to 9 p.m. vocalist Rick Reuther with keyboardist Tom Hagen, bassist Elgin Vines, drummer Cheri Hagen and saxophonist Mike Lutley perform song hits introduced by Fred Astaire in “An Astaire Affair” at the West Michigan Jazz Society Jazz Gumbo Showcase in the Kopper Top Guest House, 624 Stocking N.W., Grand Rapids. Information from www.wmichjazz.org or (616) 458 – 0125.

Tuesday, March 17th at 7:30 p.m. Grand Rapids Community College’s Winter Jazz Night Concert will honor the great jazz educator Duane Davis, who is retiring from GRCC this year. The concert takes place at St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium and will feature the vocal jazz ensemble Shades of Blue, the GRCC Jazz Ensemble with guest instrumentalists Michael Doyle and Mark Jackson, and the Western Michigan University Gold Company Sextet. Following the concert will be a reception in Grand Ballroom of St. Cecilia where a special performance by a Shades of Blue Alumni Ensemble takes place. For information please contact Kevin J. Dobreff, head of the Performing Arts Department, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids. (616) 234 – 4188.

Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m. BED is a jazz quartet from Portland, Oregon, featuring vocalist Rebecca Kilgore presenting music from the Great American Songbook (compositions of George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Richard Rogers and others) as well as classic jazz of the 1930’s and ‘40’s. With Eddie Erickson on guitar, Dan Barrett, trombone, and Paul Keller, bass, BED takes part in the Hart Performing Arts Series at the Hart Middle School Auditorium, Hart, MI. http://www.hart.lib.mi.us/CommunityArtsSeries.cfm. May 8th guitarist Frank Vignola appears in the series. For information the phone number is (231) 873 – 4476.

Friday, March 20th at 8 p.m. Chicago pianist/vocalist/songwriter Patricia Barber opens the 29th Annual Gold Company Invitational Jazz Festival at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. Barber also conducts a Master Class on Thursday, March 19th from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults; $5 for students; and available at the door. See http://www.patriciabarber.com/.

Saturday, March 21st, Nelson Wood and the Village Jazz Trio are heard from 6 to 7 p.m. in the First United Methodist Jazz Vespers service at 227 East Fulton St. Grand Rapids. Then: April 18th, drummer/trumpeter Max Colley III performs; May 16th, vibraphonist Jim Cooper swings. Information from (616) 451 – 2879 ext. 126 or www.grandrapidsfumc.org. More information by phone from (269) 387 – 4689.

Saturday, March 21st at 8 p.m. the closing concert in the 29th Annual Gold Company Invitational Vocal Jazz Festival features Gold Company directed by Duane Davis. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day twenty five high school and college vocal jazz ensembles from six states and Canada will share their music. Limited tickets for $10 are available at the door or by calling (269) 387 – 4689.

Saturday, March 21st at 8 p.m. the Grammy award winning harmonica player Peter “Madcat” Ruth, blues guitarist Sherri Kane with multi-instrumentalist Mark Schrock and drummer Mike Shimmin return to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck for their “musical gumbo” of blues, jazz and rock. Tickets are $20 and available from (269) 857-2399 or www.sc4a.org.

Sunday, March 22nd at 5 p.m. jazz pianist Kurt Ellenberger and shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) player Rob Foster, plus visual artist Deborah Rockman and students from Kendall College of Art and Design, combine to realize original works of art on the spot at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 North Division Street, Grand Rapids. The event is free. Information from (616) 456 – 1684.

Monday, March 23rd at 7:30 p.m. drummer Keith Hall leads Tri-Fi with Phil Palombi, bass and Matthew Fries, piano at the VanSingel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame S.W. Byron Center, MI, 49315. Information about the band from www.tri-fi.com and more about the concert from www.vsfac.com. Box office phone, (616) 878 – 8600.

Friday, March 27th at 7:30 p.m. drummer Fred Knapp’s Trio plays a CD release party for “More Happy Jazz,” at Schuler Books and Music, 2660 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids. Free.

Thursday, April 2nd at 8 p.m. drummer Randy Marsh leads his Marshland Express at Z’s Bar and Grill, 68 Louis Campau Promenade N.W., Grand Rapids.

Saturday, April 4th, pianist Chick Corea and Guitarist John McLaughlin lead their “Five Piece Group” featuring saxophonist Kenny Garret at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor. See: http://www.ums.org/s_current_season/artist.asp?pageid=500 .

Saturday, April 11th at 8 p.m. the Adam Rudolph/Ralph Jones duo perform a wordless psalm called “YEYI” (yay-yee) At Mexicains Sans Frontieres, 120 South Division Ave, #226, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. Special Guests: Corey Eno Ruffin & End Times Quartet also perform. Featuring Adam Rudolph: Membranophones and Idiophones: handrumset (congas, djembe, tarija), frame drum, thumb pianos, gongs, percussion and mulitphonic singing, sintir, piano. And Ralph Jones: Aerophones: alto & C flutes, bass clarinet, tenor & soprano saxophone, ney, hichiriki, bagpipes, bamboo flutes and piano. Information from www.metarecords.com/adam.html.

Thursday, April 16th at 7:30 p.m. “Spring Jazz Night” in the Aquinas College Art and Music Center, Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids. Information from www.aquinas.edu/music/events.html.

Thursday, April 16th at 8 p.m. saxophonist Michael Doyle leads his hard bop/Latin jazz band Evidence at Z’s Bar and Grill, 68 Louis Campau Promenade N.W., Grand Rapids.

Thursday, April 16th at 7:30 p.m. the Branford Marsalis Quartet, behind the release of their new CD “Metamorphosen,” celebrates a decade of playing together at the VanSingel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame S.W. Byron Center, MI, 49315. Information about the band from www.marsalismusic.com and more about the concert from www.vsfac.com. Box office phone, (616) 878 – 8600.

Thursday, April 16th vocalist Kurt Elling brings Ernie Watts and the Ethel String Quartet aboard for “Dedicated to You,” Elling’s creative re-imagining of John Coltrane’s seminal collaboration with romantic balladeer Johnny Hartman. At the Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor. See: http://www.ums.org/s_current_season/artist.asp?pageid=503.

Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at at 7:30 p.m. in the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, Grand Rapids, Grammy award winning guitarist John Jorgenson leads his jazz quintet in concert. Presented by the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. Information from (616) 454 – 4771.

Friday, May 1st at 7:30 p.m. jazz trumpeter Marcus Printup and the Byron Center Jazz Orchestra are featured the VanSingel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame S.W. Byron Center, MI, 49315. Information about the guest soloist from www.marcusprintup.net and more about the concert from www.vsfac.com. Box office phone, (616) 878 – 8600.

Thursday, May 14th at 8 p.m. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris and Blackout appear in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, as part of the Fontana Chamber Arts Winter Season. See http://www.stefonharris.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-klKGVbV2hE . Information from (269) 382-7774. The Fontana Chamber Arts is located at the Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 200, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. www.fontanachamberarts.org.

Sunday through Friday, June 14th through June 19th the 2009 Keith Hall Summer Drum Intensive takes place at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. Open to middle and high school students as well as adults, with scholarships now available, the drum intensive offers study in jazz rhythm section concepts; drum set choir; master classes; transcription; listening and analysis; private lessons; and evening jam sessions. Final concerts take place Thursday and Friday, June 18th and 19th at 8 p.m. at the Union Grill in downtown Kalamazoo. Tuition is $400; room and board $325. A non-refundable $50 deposit is due by April 15th. Information from (201) 406 – 5059, or keith@keithhallmusic.com.

Thursday, July 31st and Friday, August 1st the Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz Festival returns. July 31st at 7:30 p.m. the festival kicks off at Saugatuck Brewing Company, and then continues on the afternoon August 1st at Coghlin Park and the evening of the 1st at Saugatuck United Methodist Church, Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church and Saugatuck Brewing Company. Musicians to perform include Detroit jazz vocalist Shahida Nurullah, bassist Marion Hayden, pianist Johnny O’Neal, the Cooper/Hay/VanLente Group, “One For All” an all-star New York ensemble featuring tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, trumpeter Jim Rotondi, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth), The Flat River Big Band, drummer Sean Dobbins, guitarist Ron English and many others. Produced in co-operation with the Idlewild Foundation. Information from (313) 965 – 0505 of www.saugatuck.com.