This week’s Local Spins music news roundup for West Michigan covers the gamut, from chart-topping active hard rock to piano-powered jazz to milestone classic rock.
Robin Connell
ROBIN CONNELL’S JAZZ AT AMWAY GRAND PLAZA
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For years, Grand Rapids jazz pianist Robin Connell has searched for a spot with a real piano rather than an electronic keyboard to entertain jazz aficonados. She found it.
For the first time, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Lumber Baron Bar in downtown Grand Rapids will feature jazz piano performances every Thursday night starting on July 11, with Connell at the keys.
A much-respected jazz pianist who plays locally in a number of different ensembles, Connell performed for years in New York City and now teaches at Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College, where she also leads the college’s vocal jazz ensemble.
“I’ve been wanting to play a real piano for years,” Connell told Local Spins, noting she recently approached folks at the Lumber Baron Bar and was told they had been considering live piano music for quite some time due to demand from patrons.
Connell will play in the bar just off the Pantlind lobby of the hotel every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., performing her own songs and arrangements of tunes by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and more. There’s no cover charge. And if it goes well, there’s a chance the performances could be expanded to a trio.
Leigh Kakaty of Pop Evil
POP EVIL SOARS TO NO. 1 IN THE COUNTRY
Not surprisingly, Leigh Kakaty is “stoked.”
So are fans of Grand Rapids’ hard-rocking Pop Evil, which just recorded its first No. 1 career hit on the charts, with the single, “Trenches,” soaring to the top slot on the current Mediabase Active Rock chart – ahead of such massively popular bands as Shinedown, Five Finger Death Punch, Stone Temple Pilots and Nine Inch Nails.
The single comes from the band’s new album, “Onyx,” which was recorded in Chicago.
“We are all very proud to be No. 1 in the country,” Pop Evil’s lead singer told Local Spins. “Growing up on the rock scene in Grand Rapids, we could only dream one day we would be here. The fact we did it on an independent label (eOne) makes it extra special. All the years, hard work finally paying off. Feels good to be from West Michigan.”
To celebrate that No. 1 ranking, fans can download the single, “Trenches,” for just 69 cents (at iTunes here). “We have the best fans on the planet,” Kakaty raves, “and we are always thinking of ways to reward them.”
Band members, meanwhile, will celebrate by touring their pants off. Kakaty says non-stop touring awaits, with the band “anxious to expose our new music to the masses,” including concerts overseas. “Somewhere in between the madness,” he says, the band will make it back to Grand Rapids to share its success with family and friends.
Check out the video for “Trenches” here.
Mark Farner
WLAV REWARDS FANS WITH FREE AUGUST LOVERBOY AND MARK FARNER CONCERT
Some folks might not realize it these days, but at one time in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Grand Rapids’ WLAV-FM (96.9) was one of the most progressive, hippest radio stations in the nation.
Then-budding DJs Tony Gates, Ed “Uncle Buck” Buchanan, Steve Aldrich and Rob Brandt established a cutting-edge rock vibe, introducing audiences not only to prog-rock, country-rock and jazz fusion giants, but giving audiences delicious features such as “One-A-Day” spins of complete albums at midnight every night.
I still fondly recall listening to Supertramp’s classic 1974 album, “Crime of the Century,” in its entirety for the first time on WLAV in the wee hours. They even sponsored the “LAV Raft Race” down the Grand River, one of the most unique events ever, with stellar artists such as Bob Seger playing the annual blowout. And, of course, they’ve hosted Blues on the Mall for more than two decades.
Hard to believe, but WLAV this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. And to reward loyal fans, the station will host a free concert at Cannonsburg Ski Area on Aug. 4, starring Loverboy and Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad.
“It really is the people’s station,” Marcus Bradman, marketing and promotions director for Cumulus Media Grand Rapids told Local Spins, noting generations of fans have grown up listening to WLAV.
Music begins at noon on Aug. 4. The concert is free but parking is $10. Tickets are required and available at WLAV prize parties and events. VIP seating is $35; event proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
