GRandJazzFest: Growing West Michigan’s jazz audience with diversity, passion and talent
With headliners Rick Braun and Alexander Zonjic, plus local jazz favorites, the free third year festival aims to makes its biggest splash yet this weekend.
Tagged: jazz
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Fountain Street Church launches new jazz series; The Intersection hiring for busy concert season
Fountain Street’s “Jazz in the Sanctuary” series kicks off with Robin Connell and Bill Huyge playing “magnificent” grand pianos; Intersection ramps up employment for hectic concert season.
Lyle Lovett maintains perfect record; charms sellout Meijer Gardens crowd (Photo gallery)
For the ninth summer in a row, the engaging Texas singer-songwriter sold out his appearance at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater.
One night, two guitarists, two venues: Pat Metheny, Bill Kirchen light up West Michigan with distinctive guitar mastery
While jazz fusion’s Pat Metheny Unity Group entertained a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd (with many leaving early), rockabilly legend Bill Kirchen had folks dancing and grinning at an Ada restaurant. (Review, photo gallery)
KC & The Sunshine Band, The Crane Wives, Lydia Loveless, Michael Buble, Kris Hitchcock: Weekend Photo Gallery (July 27)
In the wake of the “Meijer Gardens Meltdown” courtesy of Ray LaMontagne, there were compelling, less-controversial concerts and tour stops to behold this weekend, captured in images at Local Spins.
Gracious Michael Buble engages Grand Rapids audience as the ‘anti-Ray LaMontagne’: Local Spins Photo Gallery
A couple of days after Ray LaMontagne’s tantrum and stage walk-off at Meijer Gardens, singer Michael Buble proved that nice guys finish first, playing to an adoring crowd at Van Andel Arena. (Photo gallery)
WYCE-FM station manager Kevin Murphy stepping down, moving to northern Michigan
After eight years at the helm of the community radio station, the avid supporter of Grand Rapids’ music scene and ‘Barry Sanders of station managers’ is going back to the land. (Video)
Buttermilk Jamboree to celebrate fourth year of family-friendly vibe and world-class music
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dar Williams, Steppin’ In It, Rootstand, Drew Nelson, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Edye Evans Hyde among 30-plus acts playing weekend festival south of Grand Rapids.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Detroit Cobras, Seth Bernard, 1964 Party, Kathy LaMar, Elle Pohlman: The Weekend Photo Gallery (June 1)
It was a weekend for parties and CD-release celebrations, along with the usual musical mayhem from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Concussions, Richard Pinhas, Rusty Wright Band, Mushroomhead, Buses by the Beach: The Weekend Photo Gallery (May 25)
West Michigan welcomed summer early by turning amps to 11 with help from surf-rock’s Concussions, jazz pioneers Richard Pinhas and The Moon, metal’s Mushroomhead, blues’ Rusty Wright and a bunch of fun-loving VW bus owners, captured in images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Muteflutes, Slim Gypsy Baggage, Chain of Lakes to headline Celadon series; WYCE kicks off holiday weekend by auctioning house concerts starring seven regional acts
The Celadon Summer Concert Series is back, adding to a long list of free outdoor summer shows across West Michigan. And today’s the deadline for bidding on some bracing house concerts by acclaimed Michigan bands.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Truckfighters, Fitz & The Tantrums, Grand Rapids Songwriter Showcase, The Wallace Collective, The Legal Immigrants: The Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend started early with some soulful Fitz and continued with rousing celebrations: Seven Steps Up’s 100th show, GR Songwriters Alliance’s 10th anniversary and Local Spins’ rollicking second anniversary rock show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
KOAN Sound, Serita’s Black Rose, The Bluefields, Bimini Bros: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
From all-out rock shows to soul and funk to EDM to jazz to acoustic guitar wizardry, the weekend unfurled in eclectic fashion across West Michigan, captured in photos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Rick Braun to headline GRandJazzFest; Madison Rising, The Outer Vibe to play Freedom Cruise; Jazz at the Zoo kicks off 14th season in June
The summer of live music gets ever more jam-packed in the Grand Rapids area. Check out the lineup for GRandJazzFest, Freedom Cruise and Jazz at the Zoo.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Live music in the great outdoors: Michigan stars power GR, EGR, Holland, Rockford, Wyoming, Grand Haven, Kalamazoo summer concerts and more
From Root Doctor to Kari Lynch to Brian VanderArk to The Crane Wives: Strong lineups power outdoor summer concerts in Rockford, Holland and Wyoming for 2014.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Bonnie Raitt, Bela Fleck, Willie Nelson, Steely Dan among headliners for 2014 Interlochen series; Hoxeyville lineup features Greensky Bluegrass
The unique Interlochen venue in northern Michigan hosts more than two dozen stars – from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Buddy Guy – with tickets on sale April 18. And Hoxeyville returns in mid-August to the Manistee National Forest.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Meijer Gardens launches 2014 summer series with Santana; 30-concert lineup stars John Legend, Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper, Ziggy Marley, Jackson Browne, Pat Metheny
Returning will be CAKE, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys, O.A.R., Five for Fighting and Sheryl Crow, but most acts are new to Meijer Gardens. See the full schedule; ticket presale for members begins April 26.
Breaking music news · Features
Max Colley III named West Michigan jazz musician of the year; Grand Haven’s Redwall North recording studio moves out, eyes Spring Lake
Local Spins’ early April news update shines a spotlight on two well-known Michigan music icons: trumpet player Max Colley III and sound expert Bill Chrysler, owner of Redwall North. […]
Road map of musical diversity: WYCE-FM posts roster of 881 most “essential” artists
As the community radio station’s spring fund drive revs up, WYCE unveils its “881 Essentials,” including about 50 local and regional bands and solo artists they play on-air.
Irish on Ionia, WO-Stock, Hillbilly Casino, Punksuhate: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Green-clad revelers, green beer and blue skies rocked downtown’s Irish on Ionia, more than 30 bands rocked West Ottawa’s annual two-day music fest and Hillbilly Casino drove 12 hours straight to rock the West Side.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews
Afro Zuma, Rick Chyme and highly touted Michigan bands shine at jam-packed Jammie Awards show
WYCE’s 15th annual affair doled out 18 Jammies to regional acts along plus some special Legacy Awards while two dozen bands rocked a full house at The Intersection on Friday night. See the full list of award winners. (Photos, video)
The Grammys? The Wammies? No, 15th annual Jammies set to honor, spotlight local musicians on Friday
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
Musical dads Duane Davis, Paul Brewer expect magic, honesty, joy in performing Thursday with acclaimed jazz offspring
Pianist Xavier Davis, drummer Quincy Davis and bassist Matt Brewer to play rare homecoming concert at St. Cecilia with proud fathers.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Afro Zuma to Vincent Hayes: WYCE reveals Jammie Awards show performers
WYCE has chosen two dozen regional acts — indie-rock to blues to jazz and way more — to play the 15th annual Jammie Awards show at The Intersection on Feb. 21.
Best Music of 2013: The Local Spins Lists
Michigan writers, musicians and readers offer their picks for the best albums and best songs of the past year, from Bradley to Beyonce to Bipolar Sunshine.
West Michigan Album Reviews: Phil Denny, Maybe Next Time, Lazy Genius, Gifts or Creatures
Starting with saxophonist Phil Denny’s holiday jazz gem, Local Spins’ Christmas shopping list of new releases includes Gifts or Creatures, Knight and Guild, Maybe Next Time and Lazy Genius.
West Michigan Album Reviews: The Local Spins Fall Roundup, Take Two
New releases by Uncommon Road, Roger MacNaughton, Breathe Owl Breathe, Love Fossil, Don Middlebrook, Lazy Genius and Make No Heroes in this batch of fall Local Spins reviews.
West Michigan Album Reviews: The Local Spins Fall Roundup, Take One
CD releases by West Michigan artists Kelsey Rottiers, Karisa Wilson, UV Hippo, The Impact Band, Roger Brown, Bowery, Steve Talaga
Emerging West Michigan jazz quartet Brad Fritcher + trois: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The award-winning bunch of Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College students has high hopes and wise-well-beyond-their-years jazz chops. (Podcast, video) At first blush, growing up on[…]
Breaking music news · Features
The Grand jazzes up Grand Haven for 5th year, Randy Marsh’s one-year anniversary of SpeakEZ Sundays, Marvin Sapp gets Detroit Tigers love
This October roundup of West Michigan music news at Local Spins takes a peek at long-running jazz jams in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids, and a gospel legend appearing on[…]
Karisa Wilson, Amanda Vernon, Brad Fritcher + trois, Molly Bouwsma-Schultz, Chris Hansen win St. Cecilia’s ArtPrize music contest
The reaction of 2013’s $2,000 winners, all from West Michigan? “Stoked,” “elated” and “somewhat surprised.” Listen to the winning songs. The Top 10 vote-getters in ArtPrize are still stumping[…]
Grand Haven’s Scott Pellegrom Trio: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Led by respected, globe-trotting drummer Scott Pellegrom, the fusion trio creates wondrous, no-holds-barred music. The band, nearing completion of a new studio album, plays Muskegon’s Watermark 920 Friday. (Podcast, video)[…]
ArtPrize gets even more musical for 2013: ‘Absolutely, music is art’
With 50 of 82 ArtPrize song entrants performing during this weekend’s musicians’ showcase at St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids is singing an artful tune. And ArtPrize busking and concerts[…]
Brad Fritcher + trois shake up ‘living art form’ and push the jazz envelope
The emerging band featuring students from Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College already has released an impressive modern jazz debut album, with some high-profile performances ahead. […]
GRandJazzFest, Jackyl, Wayland, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Michigan Mafia String Band: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
GRandJazzFest with regional and national acts took over downtown Grand Rapids, but there was plenty more live music to embrace, too. (Photos, video) Q: How does a jazz musician[…]
Grand Rapids jazz pianist Steve Talaga: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (podcast, video)
The award-winning keyboard player, composer and co-leader of the Mind’s Eye modern jazz quartet has become an in-demand musician amid West Michigan’s lively jazz scene, which includes this weekend’s GRandJazzFest.[…]
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy really do that swing voodoo that they do so well in Meijer Gardens show
The zoot-suited California swing-meisters returned to the outdoor amphitheater with impressive opener Andy Frasco for a sold-out show that had many tripping the light fantastic. (Review, photo gallery) If[…]
Expanded GRandJazzFest to spotlight seasoned stars and up-and-coming young jazz musicians
In its second year, the downtown festival adds another day of music, touts headliners Nick Colionne and Phil Denny, and gives a boost to West Michigan jazz stars of the[…]
Steve Martin knows it’s no laughing matter: The banjo is now for hipsters
With Grammy-winning banjo star/comedian Steve Martin playing a sold-out show at Meijer Gardens, this Local Spins Sunday feature takes a look at why young folk, pop and jam-band musicians are[…]
Harry Connick Jr. turns up the jazz heat at steamy Meijer Gardens concert
With help from a 13-piece band, the jazz singer and pianist brought boatloads of New Orleans sunshine, charm and musical virtuosity for his first-ever show at the outdoor Grand Rapids[…]
West Michigan’s Jazz Musician of the Year Randy Marsh: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The hard-gigging Grand Rapids jazz drummer/harmonica player earned the thrill of a lifetime when he was honored earlier this month, the culmination of a journey that began with a brush[…]
Pop Evil soars to No.1, Robin Connell launches first jazz night at Lumber Baron Bar, WLAV turns 40 with Loverboy/Mark Farner concert
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’S JAZZ AT[…]
Lucas Wilson, Kelsey Rottiers kick off 2013 Tuesday Evening Music Club at Meijer Gardens on Tuesday
Spotlighting regional/local musical talent, the weekly series lights up the amphitheater with genre-spanning bands — another thing that makes Grand Rapids “a cool place to live.” See the full 2013[…]
Pink Martini at Meijer Gardens: The Local Spins Photo Gallery and review
Pink Martini’s second appearance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday night musically spanned the globe and delighted fans. By Mary Mattingly LocalSpins.com Better late than never.[…]
Founders Fest, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Wynton Marsalis, Hank Mowery, Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Things got steamy this weekend as summer kicked into gear with bracing shows at Meijer Gardens, the giant Founders Fest street party and more. (Photos, videos) Not sure what[…]
Wynton Marsalis and orchestra’s tight ‘bubblegum’ jazz at Meijer Gardens vs. Michael Malis Trio’s challenging ‘whiskey’ strut
A gorgeous Thursday for jazz, as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra regaled a big crowd at Meijer Gardens and Detroit’s Michael Malis Trio a tiny audience at The DAAC.[…]
Buttermilk Jamboree: Rusted Root, Crane Wives, The Bandwagon and dozens more in ‘a beautiful setting’
For the third year, Circle Pines Center in Delton will host the unique outdoor music festival that boasts more than 30 local and regional bands performing on two stages. See[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
As usual, Festival showcased the marvelously eclectic range of Michigan’s musical talent, bringing out huge throngs amid stellar weather. Check out the photos and “A Day in the Life” video[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival 2013: Some Local Spins picks to peruse
From emerging act Spence & Friends to longtime fave Mid-Life Crisis, Festival covers the gamut of musical styles and sounds. But can a 13-year-old steal the show? At 13,[…]
Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts: ‘One of the best performance opportunities in town’
Veteran Festival bands and solo artists like The Mines and 13th Hour know the magic of growing an audience and strutting their stuff for giant throngs reveling in the weekend[…]
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