2-15-16 Jazz Datebook

[Lazaro Vega]

February 15, 2016

 

The Jazz Datebook:

 

Timely Hits:

 

Tuesday, February 16^th at 7:30 p.m. The Truth in Jazz Orchestra plays big band jazz at 920 Watermark, 930 Washington Ave, Muskegon. Cash bar, fresh sandwiches. Phone: (231) 727-0805. See www.tijo.org.

 

Thursday, February 18^th at 8 p.m. the Mack Avenue Superband is on tour at the Motor City Casino Hotel 1,500 seat club called The Sound Board. With Gary Burton, Tia Fuller, Sean Jones and the Christian McBride Trio. See: http://www.motorcitycasino.com/Schedules.aspx

 

Friday, February 19^th at 6 p.m. a weekly jazz series debuts at The Waldron Public House, 58 Ionia Avenue SW, Grand Rapids. Drummer Randy Marsh leads Marshland Express with Caleb Elzinga, saxophones; Steve Talaga, piano; Warren Jones, bass and Marsh on drums. (616) 965 – 9780.

 

Friday, February 19^that 8 p.m. one of the greatest tap dancers alive today, Savion Glover, is joined by jazz giant Jack DeJohnette on drums for a two set concert in Cobb Great Hall at The Wharton Center For the Performing Arts, 750 E. Shaw LN, East Lansing. Tickets from (517) 353-1982 or www.whartoncenter.com.

 

Saturday, February 20^th at 7 p.m., saxophonist Mike Frost leads his “Project,” with Bill Boris on guitar, Dave Rosin, bass and David Hilliker, drums, at the J.W. Marriott, 235 Louis Street N.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 242 – 1448.

 

Saturday, February 20^th the Keith Hall Drum Choir Experience is held, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Byron Center High School, 8500 Burlingame Ave SW, Byron Center. Tuition for this day long workshop is $75. Bring your drum set. Sign up at www.keithhallmusic.com or phone (201) 406 – 5059.  

 

Sunday, February 21^st at 3 p.m. the Beer City Saxophone Ensemble plays a concert as part of the Underground Series presented by www.adventuremusic.org and curated by Blue Lake Public Radio’s own Lazaro Vega. The “Super Sax” style group includes saxophones by Gary MCourry, Jim Hayward, Mike Lutley, Tom Lockwood, Tom Stansell, Greg Marsden and Bob Nixon with a rhythm section of pianist Steve Talaga, bassist Joe Oprea and drummer Tim Froncek. The concerts are held in LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive S.E., Grand Rapids. (616) 451 – 9820.

 

Sunday, February21st the River Rogues traditional jazz band (see www.theriverrogues.org ) play the New Harmony Hall, 401 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Phone: (616) 233-9186, or on the web, www.harmonybeer.com.

 

Tuesday, February 23rd at 8 p.m. guitarist Ed Stone plays at the New Vintage Jazz Series at New Vintage Place, 889 Broadway Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. Cocktails at 7, music from 8-10. As a youth, Ed Stone played guitar in numerous soul, orchestra and jazz bands.  Ed Stone is a medical doctor who returned to music and is now part of the Detroit scene, including the release of 3 CD's, the latest "King Of Hearts" and playing in local clubs (Baker's keyboard Lounge, Harbor House Restaurant) as well as The New Center Park Summer Music Series, Idlewild Music Festival, Belle Isle Jazz Concert Series, Campus Martus Park Jazz Series and the Fox 2 Morning News Weekend Show on WJKB-TV. See www.wmichjazz.org or phone (616) 498-0855.

 

Wednesday, February 24^th at 7:30 p.m.in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, the Western Michigan Jazz Program with the Frostic School of Art collaborate in “Climate Changes,” a live and interactive program featuring the Advanced Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Andrew Rathbun and installation/video by Prof Patrick Wilson and students form the Frostic School. Tickets from (800) 228 – 9858.

 

Saturday, February 27^that 8 p.m. the Grand Rapids Symphony’s “Symphony With Soul” welcomes renowned pianist Marcus Roberts Trio to this 15^th annual celebration of of African-American musical expression. David Lockington is on the podium, and the program features performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus (Duane Shields Davis, director) and Creative Connections (Jill Collier Warne, director). Roberts will be featured in George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The concert takes place at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. See www.grsymphony.org for more.

 

Tuesday, March 1^st at 6:30 p.m., At Prize winning vibraphonist Jim Cooper leads his trio at The North Muskegon “Walker Memorial” Library, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon. Phone:(231) 744-6080.

 

Tuesday, March 1^st at 7:30 Tango sensation from Argentina, J.P. Jofre, bandoneon, and Paublo Cafici, piano, are joined by the Western Michigan University String Orchestra in a free performance at Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. See www.wmujazz.com .

 

Thursday, March 3^rd at 7 p.m. saxophonist Tim Warfield appears with the Michigan State University Bebop Spartans, also known as The MSU Jazz Orchestra 1, in the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union concert tour coming to Spring Lake high School Auditorium, 16140 148th Ave, Spring Lake. See www.timwarfieldmusic.com or phone the school at (616) 846-5501.

 

Friday, March 4^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Interlochen Arts Academy Dendrinos Chapel, Interlochen (15 miles southwest of Traverse City), Bill Sears leads the Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Ensemble and Combos in concert with special guests trombonist Marshall Gilkes (nominated for 2 Grammy Awards this year); Michigan State University professor of jazz, trumpeter Etienne Charles; director of jazz studies at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, guitarist Bobby Ferrazza; bassist Marion Hayden; and drummer Sean Dobbins. See: www.interlochen.org for information.

 

Saturday, March 5^th at 7:30 p.m. at Interlochen Arts Academy’s Dendrinos Chapel, pianist Xavier Davis joins Bill Sears and the musicians performing on the 4^th for a free faculty jazz recital. See www.interlochen.org for information.

 

Thursday, March 10^that 7:30 p.m. French vocalist Cyrille Aimee brings her blend of Gypsy jazz, Brazilian music and the straight ahead to St. Cecilia Music Center’s historic Royce Auditorium, 24 Ransom Avenue N.E., Grand Rapids. A finalist in the French version of American Idol, and went on to win the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition in 2007, was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2010, and won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition in 2012. Today she records for Mack Avenue Records. See http://www.cyrillemusic.com. For information, www.scmc-online.org or (616) 459 – 2224.  

 

Friday, March 11^th at 8 p.m. the 35^th Annual Western Invitational Jazz Festival features a performance by pianist Edward Simon and the Western Jazz Quartet at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. (800) 228 – 9858.

 

Saturday, March 12^th at 7 p.m. Alexander Zonjic’s Shoreline Jazz Festival Preview Concert at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 425 W Western Ave #200, Muskegon, features Zonjic’s flute, Swiss pianist Alex Bugnon; saxophonist Eric Darius; guitarist Nick Colionne and vocalist Thornetta Davis. See www.shorelinejazzfestival.com, www.startickets.com or (800) 585 – 3737.

 

Saturday, March 12^th at 7:30 p.m., concluding a day of performances by high school and college jazz bands, pianist Edward Simon is guest soloist with the Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra at Dalton Center Recital Hall, Kalamazoo. Tickets from (800) 228 – 9858.

 

Wednesday, March 16^th at 7:30 p.m. the famed Belgian jazz guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Martin Wind appear at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. See www.philipcatherine.com or phone (800) 228 – 9858.

 

Sunday, March 20^that 3 p.m. bassist Matt Ulery presents an all-star edition of his band “LOOM” at LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive S.E., Grand Rapids, as part of the Underground Series presented by www.adventuremusic.org. With Rob Clearfield on keyboards; Jon Dietemyer, drums; Russ Johnson, who performed in the Underground Series with the Charlie Kohlhase’s Explorers Club in March of 2015, trumpet; Geof Bradfield bass clarinet and Matt Ulery offering double bass, tuba and compositions.  For directions see www.latontsee.us and for more on millennial jazz musician Matt Ulery, www.mattulery.com/wordpress .

 

Monday, March 21st from 6:30 to 8:30 the West Michigan Jazz Society presents their Monday Night Jazz Series at The Guest House 634 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, with Muskegon-area guitarist Rick Hicks, who’s penchant for jazz, gospel and blues has found him traveling to Italy with vocalist Betty Joplin, opening for Spyro Gyra, Bobby Blues Band, James Brown and L.L. Cool j. With Mark Hicks on bass and Mark Weymouth on drums.  See www.wmichjazz.org.

 

Monday, March 28^th at 7:30 p.m. the University Jazz Lab Band directed by Tom Knific appears in a free concert at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Phone: 269-387-4681.

 

Tuesday, March 29^th at 7:30 p.m. saxophonist Lucan Pino collaborates with professor/pianist Jeremy Siskind and the WMU Advanced Jazz Ensemble at the Dalton Center Recital Hall, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Phone: 269-387-4681. Or see www.wmich.edu/jazz.

 

 

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 68^th 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.

 

Tuesdays, vocalist Kathy Lamar performs with pianist Dutcher Snedeker and Mario Copeland, 7- 10 p.m., at Bar Divani, 15 Ionia Avenue S.W., Grand Rapids. (616) 774 – 9463.

 

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 28^th 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 from 8 to 10, a new jazz concert series features the Robin Connell Trio and special guests. The Harris Building Jazz Series is held at 111 S. Division Avenue, Grand Rapids, www.theharrisbuilding.com. Here’s the schedule of guests: February 17th, Michigan State University Professor of Jazz, saxophonist Diego Rivera; 2-24, Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra soloist and renowned jazz educator, trumpeter James Sawyer.

 

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 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.

 

Thursdays through May 2016, The Jeff Haas Quartet with saxophonist/flutist Laurie Sears, pianist Haas, bassist Jack Dryden and drummer Randy Marsh performs from 7 – 9:30 at West Bay Beach Resort, 615 E Front St, Traverse City. Phone (231) 947-3700.

 

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 28^th 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 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.