Nearly four years after the jazz jams were silenced by COVID, drummer Randy Marsh brings the ‘special’ tradition back to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Sunday night. The back story at Local Spins.
Longstanding Host: Jazz drummer Randy Marsh is thrilled that Sunday sessions are finally back. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
On a Sunday night in March 2020, drummer Randy Marsh, pianist Steve Talaga and bassist Tom Lockwood rolled through another fan-pleasing set of jazz at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge.
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After nearly eight straight years of Marsh’s “Randissimo’s Sunday Night Jazz,” few could have predicted that this longstanding, weekly jazz tradition would end abruptly after that evening’s final note.
But the COVID 19 pandemic – and the tumult that it wrought on live music across the globe – had other ideas, silencing the Sunday night jazz jams … until now.
Nearly four years after that last session, Randissimo’s Sunday Night Jazz returns to SpeakEZ Lounge, 600 Monroe Ave. NW, at 6 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 18) with Marsh, award-winning pianist Robin Connell and acoustic bassist Rob Hartman.
“I am excited and I still can’t believe it,” said Marsh, a West Michigan Jazz Musician of the Year honoree who’s hosted jazz nights at various area venues for decades, with the SpeakEZ jams boasting the longest run.
“I had all but given up on the Sundays ever coming back and was totally blown away when (SpeakEZ owner) Eric Albertson messaged me on Dec. 29 that he was fully staffed and ready to start up the jazz Sundays again.”
Organissimo at SpeakEZ: The jazz trio has played Sunday nights several times over the years. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
The intimate downtown venue also hosts Local Spins Wednesdays shows with regional artists representing various genres, and SpeakEZ plans to launch live music on alternating Friday nights starting in mid-March.
For Marsh, the regular Sunday jazz performances have held a special place in his heart. They’ve boasted an impressive cast of ultra-talented musicians who’ve played the series over the years, including guitarist Randy Napoleon, flutist Nelson Rangel, Aretha Franklin’s drummer, Gayelynn McKinney, and many more.
The Sunday evenings also had become a regular stopping off point for members of the West Michigan Jazz Society as well as students who’ve gotten their first opportunity to perform with veteran musicians.
“People in the jazz society and the community are so excited to see Randissimo’s Sunday Night Jazz returning at SpeakEZ. It really left a hole in the hearts of many who attended every Sunday night for years,” said Michelle Needham, president of the West Michigan Jazz Society.
“I know there has already been a lot of buzz online after we shared Randy’s post (about the return of the series). He built a large following of people who truly loved these Sunday nights at SpeakEZ.”
The evenings begin with a different jazz trio playing an opening set every week, followed by an “open jam” at 7:30 p.m. That’s when any other musicians, singers or jazz students are invited to join in “providing they have a tune prepared or know a tune being played.”
Robin Connell (Photo/Kendra Petersen-Kamp)
“I think anybody who loves music, and in particular, jazz, will once again have a place to go on Sunday nights where they can relax, have dinner and drinks, and hear the best live jazz West Michigan has to offer,” Marsh said.
“It is always a fun hang for the musicians and for those just getting into the art of playing or listening to jazz.”
Jazz devotees who’ve hankered to restore the tradition will likely pack SpeakEZ Lounge on Sunday night, 206 weeks to the day after the last Marsh-hosted jam.
“We all need to acknowledge and give kudos and with thunderous applause for Eric Albertson and the staff at SpeakEZ for persevering and keeping their doors open during and after the horrific COVID pandemic,” Marsh noted.
Added Needham: “The people and the music make this special including Randy, his band, the musicians and singers who stand up there on the stage to jam and share their talents, the wonderful owners and staff at SpeakEZ, and the dedicated and jazz-loving attendees dedicated to experiencing something special every Sunday night. Every week is different. It is an experience you don’t want to miss.”
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