The fifth annual free festival taking place in downtown Grand Rapids Aug. 20-21 will feature 11 national and local acts.
Headlining GRandJazzFest: Trumpeter Cindy Bradley brings her contemporary jazz strains to Rosa Parks Circle in August. (Photo/Brody Dezember Photography)
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Smooth and contemporary jazz trumpeter Cindy Bradley and British-born soul-jazz guitarist Chris Standring will headline the 2016 GRandJazzFest being held Aug. 20-21 at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.
Chris Standring
The fifth annual free festival also will boast performances by local faves such as the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra (with Edye Evans Hyde), jazz organ trio Organissimo and guitarist Steve Hilger, plus Tumbao Bravo, Tim Bowman, Walter White, The Urban Jazz Coalition, Lakeshore Big Band and the Bierenga-Sullivan Quintet student showcase band, organizers announced today.
Bradley is the first female artist to headline the five-year-old event and festival founder Audrey Sundstrom described her as “an excellent trumpet player and performer who will have everyone moving and dancing.”
The award-winning New York native who has four solo albums to her credit will headline the festival on Saturday night.
Rosa Parks Jazz: GRandJazzFest returns to downtown Grand Rapids in August. (Photo/Taylor Mansen)
Sunday’s headliner Standring, a Los Angeles-baseed guitarist, kicked off his career with the 1998 album, “Velvet,” and just released his latest album, “Ten,” described as “a dazzling, soul infused, groove-laden jazz set.”
Michigan’s own Organissimo, which has earned international acclaim for its soulful, organ-driven jazz, will play GRandJazzFest for the first time. They’ll perform on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a good show,” said Organissimo drummer Randy Marsh, who also hosts regular Sunday night jazz sessions at SpeakEZ Lounge. The two-day GRandJazzFest draws thousands of fans, giving bands a chance to showcase their music for a new audience.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Marsh, noting he also plans to participate in the after-glow party that’s slated to take place after Saturday night’s performances.
The lineup was announced Wednesday night at The B.O.B. as part of International Jazz Day. Get more information about the festival online at grandjazzfest.org.
VIDEO: Cindy Bradley
VIDEO: Chris Standring
VIDEO: Organissimo
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