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 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[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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’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.[…]
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[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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,[…]
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[…]
Meijer Gardens courts stars for its outdoor amphitheater series, which sells out more shows and increases attendance every summer. See the updated list of sellouts, plus a change in the[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Grand Rapids pianist Steve Talaga will host Tuesday jazz jams at the Eastown club starting June 4; HopCat unplugs guitarist Jimmie Stagger’s weekend blues nights; West Michigan Blues Society won’t[…]
Michigan music for free: It’s everywhere this summer, from jazz to rock to blues. Check out schedules for weekly summer series in the Grand Rapids area here at LocalSpins.com. […]
For the second year in a row, cash prizes will be offered to song contest winners in five categories during ArtPrize; new “busking stations” will spotlight live music. Hailing[…]
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Things ramp up this weekend with riveting national tours and local shows: Bimini Brothers’ 30th anniversary, Bruce & Becca Ling benefit, Go Rounds, plus tickets to Meijer Gardens concerts go[…]
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early in downtown Grand Rapids at Michigan’s biggest celebration of its kind, plus a dual CD-release show by The Wallace Collective and Chain of[…]
West Michigan’s lively week of live music boasts Michigan’s biggest Cinco de Mayo Bash, a dual CD-release show by The Wallace Collective and Chain of Lakes, a chiptune celebration and[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s opening day of ticket sales to Meijer Gardens members sees glitches and four sellouts of the 29 concerts in the summer amphitheater series. Once again, the rush was on.[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The expanded jazz festival on Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids boasts 10 acts over two days in mid-August. Chicago jazz/funk/R&B guitarist-singer Nick Colionne will headline this year’s[…]
Hip-hop, rock, Americana, rockabilly, bluegrass, folk and a Prince/MJ dance party: With spring weather springing, West Michigan heated up with an eclectic blend of live music, shared in images at[…]
Commentary · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
Recalling his own youthful experience, guitarist-singer Steve Hilger started a jazz jam night for young players, giving them a chance to sit in with pros. It rolls on again Thursday[…]
Grand Rapids’ music offerings melt spring away with a diverse bunch of big national tours, plus a Grand Ole Opry show and a Van Morrison tribute. Save the image of[…]
Hectic week with tour stops by national acts and special events starring local bands: Record Store Day, Local Blues Matter at Billy’s, GrooveWalk in Holland, Inside the Mitten in Muskegon[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The summer concert and festival announcements just keep coming. Interlochen’s eclectic lineup ranges from Trace Adkins to Brian Wilson; Wheatland’s folk schedule boasts some icons of the genre; Founders Fest’s[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
With a record-breaking 30 shows on the docket, the Meijer Gardens summer concert series boasts some high-priced big names and emerging acts in a bevy of genres. See the full[…]
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s “other” concert series stars some of West Michigan’s top talent starting in July. Check out the full lineup. Every spring, the big guns[…]
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park has hosted 10 seasons of summer concerts at its outdoor amphitheater; the 2013 series gets announced later this week. Here’s Spins on Music Top[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
The Spins on Music April music news update spans the globe (or at least West Michigan) with hot news about local bluegrass and nationally hailed folk and jazz. BREWING[…]
Features · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
In a guest column, the well-known Grand Rapids singer-songwriter marvels at the generosity of West Michigan’s music community. And she’s sharing her own talents for a remarkable global project. EDITOR’S[…]
Every watering hole in Michigan turns green this week, so you’re pretty much assured of Celtic-infused musical mayhem wherever one chooses to celebrate. But here are a few highlights courtesy[…]
Breaking music news · Concert reviews
WYCE-FM’s jam-packed Jammies on Friday jammed two stages with two dozen performances and doled out 19 awards to Michigan bands and artists. Rootsy artists The Soil and The Sun[…]
The 14th annual Jammie Awards show hosted by WYCE-FM moves to a new night at The Intersection this year, and musicians say the celebratory spirit in spotlighting the region’s musical[…]
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
It’s Friday, the perfect time to round up music news about an expanded summer jazz fest, more Mitten music and a bunch of under-the-radar weekend shows. CHECK OUT MORE[…]
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
Jazz guitarist Steve Hilger has launched a twice-monthly series at Noto’s with hopes of getting up-and-coming young players to sit in with veteran musicians. Steve Hilger remembers what a[…]
Super Bowl week starts with a “soup bowl” gala in Grand Rapids, followed by video game music, Nikki Hill, the hiphop of Rick Chyme/Nixon, plus rock, jazz and folk. […]
National touring acts mesh with CD-release shows by Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son, Thirsty Perch Blues Band and more, from Michigan folk icons to jazz gurus to heavy metal[…]
With New Year’s Eve approaching, check out snippets of West Michigan’s weekend of live music in photos and videos shared at Spins on Music. Click HERE for the photo[…]
‘Twas the week of Christmas and all through West Michigan’s house, live music is still playing, from Nate Holley to Delilah DeWylde and a film featuring some fab Grand Rapids-area[…]
The week before Christmas and all through West Michigan’s house, there’s plenty stirring musically, including Paul Hoffman/Joe Sturgill, Super Happy Funtime Burlesque and Quadraphonic’s return. Grand Rapids Symphony’s Cirque[…]
West Michigan’s holiday mood brightens with live music by Kari Lynch, The Last Vegas, Frankie Ballard, Rick Chyme, Organissimo and plenty more. A Very Merry Jingle Jam with Kari[…]
Local Spins wraps up 2012 with a real bang, hailing recent CD releases from a passel of West Michigan’s most bracing and promising bands, including Simien the Whale, Kung Fu[…]
Breaking music news · Commentary
Grammy nominations announced Wednesday hailed Sapp’s latest gospel gem, with surprising nods to the likes of Dr. John, Gotye, Joan Osborne and the Alabama Shakes … with the usual head-scratchers.[…]
Grand Rapids’ concert lineup for Thanksgiving week ruffles musical feathers, from Other Lives to an Aria Flame debut and Four Finger Five farewell. (Videos) Benje & Ashley Daneman, The[…]
