From Traverse City to Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, the unseasonable heat wave sparked sizzling concerts by veterans and emerging artists alike. The recaps and images at Local Spins.
Veteran Acts: Bob James, Dave Koz, Judy Collins and Red Sea Pedestrians. (Photos/Tyler Franz/Jeff Wilkinson/Derek Ketchum)
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As legendary folk singer Judy Collins puts it, more than 60 years of performing on stage is a record not easily broken.
But that impressive accomplishment is matched by Traverse City jazz pianist and fellow 85-year-old Bob James, who – like Collins – continues to record and tour.
Both Grammy Award-winning artists regaled Michigan audiences this past week, with Collins returning to Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center and James joining saxophonist Dave Koz for a tour-starting, sold-out show at The Alluvion in Traverse City.
Indeed, seasoned Michigan musicians were in plentiful supply on varied stages, with Celtic music’s Selkie (multi-instrumentalists Jim Spalink, Michele Venegas and Cara Lieurance), Kalamazoo roots/klezmer/gypsy jazz/rock favorites Red Sea Pedestrians, and northern Michigan singer-songwriter Seth Bernard with Gregory Stovetop all unfurling their audience-pleasing music during this mid-March concert flurry.
Adding to the lineup: The Plural Nouns, Boiler Room and Two Dollar Bills at The Sugar Bowl in Kalamazoo and The Wild Honey Collective revving up the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids.
View the photo galleries and a video below, along with a review of James and Koz’s “Just Us” concert in Traverse City.
The Local Spins interview with Judy Collins: ‘I Lived It’: Iconic singer Judy Collins embraces ’60s folk scene legacy and much more
PHOTO GALLERY: Judy Collins, Oakland Rain at St. Cecilia Music Center (Thursday)
Photos by Jeff Wilkinson
BOB JAMES AND DAVE KOZ DISPLAY JAZZ MASTERY IN HIGHLIGHT-FILLED CONCERT
Masters of Their Craft: Bob James and Dave Koz at The Alluvion. (Photo/Ross Boissoneau)
Bob James and Dave Koz are two of the most renowned musicians in jazz, boasting million-selling albums, sold-out tours, even fun-filled cruises. On Thursday at the intimate Alluvion in Traverse City, the pianist and saxophonist created musical magic as a duo with nary a drummer, guitarist or bassist in sight.
The sold-out crowd of more than 150 was treated to a night of exquisite jazz by masters of their craft. As nimble and imaginative as ever, the 85-year-old James drew effusive praise from Koz, who called the keyboardist legendary and amazing as the duo unfurled James compositions “Sommation,” “Fontaine d’Alice” and “Protea” from their new “Just Us” album. Koz was represented by “The Naked Ballet,” “Rue di Riivoli” and “New Hope,” as well as their duo composition “T W O.” Jazz standards included “All The Way” and “Smile.”
Despite playing challenging music at such a high level, they kept the mood light throughout. As Koz said at one point during the show, “Here’s where I usually introduce the band,” and he turned to the empty stage to his left and behind him, then to his right at James, and broke into a grin.
Highlights included James’ intense and intricate “Fontaine d’Alice,” named for and inspired by his mother and the fountain they had in their yard, and “Smile,” which demonstrated James’ imagination, effortlessly improvising and never losing the audience’s attention.
Kudos, too, to the sound team. The music in the all-acoustic setting was perfectly balanced and never overly loud, which in such a cozy venue is not easy to do.
The pair concluded the evening with another jazz chestnut from “Just Us,” the classic “Sunny Side of the Street” (which segued into “Angela”). As with the rest of the show, the two took turns with the theme and improvising. And again, as Koz continually stressed during the night, James had to serve as the bass, the drummer, the entire rhythm section and backing orchestra. Which he seemed to relish, providing a glimpse into one of the foremost musicians of the last half-century. – By Ross Boissoneau
The Local Spins interview with Bob James and Dave Koz: Michigan’s Bob James, California’s Dave Koz team up for unplugged duo jazz album, tour
PHOTO GALLERY: Bob James & Dave Koz at The Alluvion (Thursday)
Photos by Tyler Franz and Ross Boissoneau
PHOTO GALLERY: Red Sea Pedestrians, Nathan Moore Affair at Bell’s (Friday)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
