West Michigan rocks out with Rolling Stones tribute, Keb’ Mo’, Noah Gundersen, Jack DeJohnette: Weekend Photo Galleries

Jazz and blues icons topped a week of live music that also included The Pyramid Scheme’s two-night anniversary party, a Stones tribute, Roosevelt Diggs, Hannah Rose Graves, Megan Dooley and a Music Hop.

VIEW A SEPARATE LOCAL SPINS REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY OF WEDNESDAY’S KILLSWITCH ENGAGE CONCERT

 

Sometimes, it’s all about vintage music and authenticity.

And sometimes, it’s about the party.

Such was the case this week at shows from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, with a mix of local and internationally acclaimed stars holding court:

• Keb’ Mo’ brought his engaging personality, music and band to Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Friday for a show that lasted more than two hours in front of a near sell-out crowd. He kicked things off by playing some tunes in solo acoustic fashion, and as Local Spins’ Derek Ketchum put it, “Even as intimate of a venue that the Kalamazoo State Theater is, he made it seem even more intimate. You felt like he was playing songs right to you and your closest friends. One by one, members of his band joined in electrifying the room, bringing everyone to their feet throughout the night: acoustic, electric, steel, banjo — you name it, Keb’ Mo’ picked one up and masterfully played for the 2-plus hours of the show. I spoke with people after the show who traveled almost three hours to be at Friday’s show. They were blown away by the performance.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Keb’ Mo’ photos by Derek Ketchum

• The Pyramid Scheme’s 5th Anniversary celebration was a two-night bash, with local acts Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, Lady Ace Boogie, Man at Arms and Coffin Problem launching things on Friday night, followed up by Shiner, Mutoid Man and Child Bite — all inspiring some very happy attendees.

PHOTO GALLERY: The Pyramid Scheme’s 5th Anniversary
Photos by Katy Batdorff

Elsewhere, The Beer City Saxophone Ensemble powered up an entertaining affair at the Waldron Public House in Grand Rapids on Wednesday in a fundraiser for Blue Lake Public Radio; Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Diggs delivered an energetic evening of vintage-sounding Americana in the band’s Local Spins Wednesday debut at SpeakEZ Lounge; Kalamazoo kicked off its “Music Hop” event on Friday with more than a dozen bands and solo artists playing downtown businesses and “venues” (including Northern Fires using the night to stage its CD-release show at First Congregational Church); Grand Rapids’ Hazy Past regaled fans young and old with Rolling Stones classics as part of a special tribute at Rockford Brewing Co. on Saturday, the same night that Grand Rapids’ Hannah Rose & The GravesTones and Kalamazoo’s Megan Dooley killed it, musically speaking, at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill.

One of Thursday’s most impressive shows: Jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette playing St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids. Local Spins writer Matt Marn was there to provide this mini-review:

Jazz legend Jack DeJohnette performed Thursday night at St. Cecilia’s Music Center, alongside saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and Matthew Garrison on bass guitar. They put their original spin on jazz essentials, as well as performing a number of originals from their new collaborative album, “In Movement.” Trading solos with each other, and rarely even stopping for applause, the trio explored new sounds with their instruments as well as with computer effects, adding to the spirit of exploration and entertaining the packed venue with their own unique jazz twists.

Also on Friday, singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen made a Grand Rapids tour stop, playing Calvin College’s Ladies Literary Club. Local Spins reviewer Ricky Olmos filed this report:

Soft, white lights fall at center stage, where Noah Gundersen sits, dressed in all black, reminiscent of Johnny Cash. His long, dark hair frames his face and reaches just past his shoulders, gracing the top of his guitar. In a hushed falsetto, nearly a whisper, Gundersen sings the last lines of “First Defeat.” The Ladies Literary Club is near capacity. Attentive fans and admirers sit snug in theater seats. Gundersen plays a simple set, presenting his deeply personal songs in their most stripped-down fashion. During some tracks, the full band is missed. Especially during a cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” a tune that begs for drums and electric guitar. The Seattle songwriter, does however, keep things interesting, telling stories between songs and rotating instruments, juggling acoustic and electric guitar, before making his way to a baby grand piano at the corner of the stage. Gundersen rolls through popular tracks from his latest album “Carry the Ghost,” as well as fan-favorites “David,” and “Cigarettes,” both from previous releases. Overall, the songwriter shows a poise and professionalism well-beyond his years. Perhaps the best moment comes when Gundersen, somewhat out of character from his usual cynical, somber tone, tells the audience that they should strive to “go out create something they love, every day.” It seems Gundersen has adhered to his own advice, and in the process, has created something that many others have come to love as well.

WEEKEND PHOTO GALLERY: April 20-23
Beer City Saxophone Ensemble photos by Anthony Norkus
Roosevelt Diggs photos by Ricky Olmos
Music Hop photos by Derek Ketchum
Hazy Past, Hannah Rose, Megan Dooley photos by Anna Sink
Jack DeJohnette photos by Sarah Mieras
Noah Gundersen photos by Ricky Olmos

Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC