Artemis super-group brings winter flurry of jazz delights to Grand Rapids
New York’s all-female jazz ensemble delivered a rare, awe-inspiring set Thursday night at St. Cecilia Music Center. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Tagged: jazz
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
February’s WYCE Jammie Awards show reveals lineup, braces for ‘high-energy’ night
More than 20 regional acts will perform during the Feb. 24 celebration at The Intersection, described as the ‘premier music event of the season.’ View the lineup and get reactions from some performers, plus a link to the list of award nominees and the public vote for album and artist of the year.
Album Reviews: DJ Blaze 589, Dede & The Dreamers, The Fever Haze and more
Our second January roundup of new albums and EPs by Michigan artists ranges from hip hop to jazzy indie-folk to rock, including Kings of Strings, Nathan K. and Big B & The Actual Proof. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
Local Spins Wednesdays return to SpeakEZ in February with rousing Michigan lineup
After a hiatus of nearly three years due to COVID, the popular series will spotlight a wide spectrum of Michigan-based bands and solo artists twice a month. Check out the schedule, plus listen to music from some of the featured acts.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Latin jazz, Celtic music marvels, blistering blues spark Sunday serenades: Photos
A pair of new global music concert series kicked off on Sunday in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, with a healthy helping of blues to boot in both cities. The photos and more at Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
Grand Rapids’ new Küsterer Brauhaus to launch Sunday world music concert series
The “communal” hangout on Bridge Street NW kicks off its new live music series with Selkie on Jan. 8. Get details and the full schedule at Local Spins, along with information about a new Latin jazz series in Kalamazoo.
Artist Spotlights · Photos · Videos
Lansing indie-folk act The Dangling Participles dive deep for ‘One More Drop’ release
The band officially released its new studio album Friday night with a performance at Lansing’s UrbanBeat. Get the back story on the quartet, view a music video and browse photos at Local Spins.
Busiest Bar Nights Ever? Live music set to make epic return for Thanksgiving weekend
From tour stops by Greensky Bluegrass, Straight No Chaser, Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren to Thanksgiving eve parties starring Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves and more, it’s a jam-packed week. Get the lowdown and a list of shows at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Dede and The Dreamers follow own musical path with soulful, new crossover jazz
Touring behind “Powerful,” their first album since 2015, the Michigan band led by Dede Alder plays Midtown in Grand Rapids tonight. Get the back story and listen to a track from the release.
Chloe Moriondo draws ‘Popstar’ zeal, plus Ani DiFranco, Rodriguez/Martinez (Photo Recaps)
Beyond a revved-up full house at The Pyramid Scheme, the weekend launched with a Kalamazoo tour stop by Ani DiFranco, a jazz duo at St. Cecilia and a music release by Second Hand Drugs. View the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Hacky Turtles tackle mental health with catchy, funky and hopeful new singles
After a busy summer, the Grand Rapids band is hunkering down to promote two new songs and prepare for a 2023 record. The Artist Spotlight feature and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, which also featured Lighting Matches and debuted new tracks by Michigan artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Album Reviews: Last Gasp Collective, B-Sides, Rachel Curtis, FlyLiteGemini, Keith Hall, more
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Bleachers, Perrin Bash, Ballpark Jam, Ghost-Note, BBI, Edison Jazz Fest rev it up: Recaps
A spectacular September weekend covered a lot of bases outdoors and in: indie-rock, country, funk, jazz, psych-rock and more. Get the recaps in words and photos at Local Spins.
Shaking It Up: All-new Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart with Djangophonique, Jetty Rae, Samil
New releases by a diverse group of Michigan artists all made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in August and captivated listeners as well as radio programmers at WYCE (88.1 FM). View the chart, listen to music from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Live Music Recap: Kamasi Washington, Keller Williams, Izubel, Magic City Hippies, Emmylou
The week leading up to Labor Day brought a diverse mix of artists — national and local — to area stages. Local Spins was there to document the late-summer revelry in photos.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Shoreline Jazz Fest returns to Muskegon this weekend with ‘fun,’ diverse, soulful lineup
After a COVID hiatus, the festival led by musician Alexander Zonjic pumps up Muskegon’s Heritage Landing Friday-Sunday with Maysa, Najee, Lin Roundtree and more. The lowdown and the full weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Summer Festivals · Weekend Photo Gallery
Faster Horses’ hubbub, Drive-By Truckers’ triumph, Void’s victory & more: Concert Photos
Michigan’s music weekend ramped up with 40,000-plus country revelers at Faster Horses in Brooklyn, a capacity crowd at Bell’s Beer Garden, the debut of White Lake’s Walk the Beat, an outdoor Elton and Buble tribute in GR and the debut of the unique ‘Whatzit Hour’ in Kalamazoo. View the action-packed photo galleries at Local Spins.
Summer Strains: Here Come the Mummies, Troll for Trout, Red Wanting Blue & More
The weekend got an early start with live music indoors and out, from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. View the images from several shows at Local Spins.
Photos · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Outdoor community concerts unite Michigan music lovers, showcase regional talent
Dozens of free summer concerts unfold every night across the state, spotlighting everything from rock to jazz to blues. Local Spins explores why they’re so popular as a seasonal pastime. Plus, view photos from several of these series.
Norah Jones entrances sold-out Meijer Gardens; Japanese Breakfast lights up Bell’s Beer Garden
The acclaimed pianist and singer celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Come Away With Me” and more at the Grand Rapids amphitheater on Sunday night. The review and photos at Local Spins, with bonus coverage and images from the sold-out Japanese Breakfast show on Sunday in Kalamazoo.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Festival of the Arts rocks Day 1 with sunny, breezy weather and animated regional music
The return of Festival to downtown Grand Rapids on Friday after a long, COVID hiatus attracted families and fans of live music, food and art. Check out the opening-day highlights, photos and video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Electrically charged, elbow-to-elbow revelry: The Concussions, Earth Radio rock SpeakEZ
It was a rousing return of Local Spins Wednesdays for SpeakEZ Lounge in celebration of Local Spins’ 10th anniversary, with an enthusiastic, capacity crowd on hand. Get the recap, browse the photos, watch the video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Future soul’s Earth Radio hones dynamic, genre-melding tales of ‘sonic ingenuity’
The Grand Rapids band with a hectic 2022 ahead chatted about its unique approach for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Melissa Dylan, Wild Honey Collective, Ben Traverse and more. Learn more about Earth Radio and where it will be performing, watch a band video and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
W. Michigan Concert Recaps: Pieces, Papadosio, Delfeayo Marsalis, Joshua Davis, Colt Snuffer
Emerging and veteran jazz stars lit up stages this past week, with folk, Americana and rock artists adding to the musical groove from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
Traverse City pianist Jeff Haas uncorks Big Fun with eclectic, electric, groovy jazz
The all-star band playing Listening Room next week was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Whorled, Chain of Lakes, Laura Rain, Pieces, The Mulberry Wolves and more. Learn more about Big Fun and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Black Female Artists: Sarena Rae’s Top 10 playlist lauding women’s rights, love & justice
Tonight, Michigan Music Alliance and Grand Rapids singer Sarena Rae stage “Music That Raised Us” at Listening Room — a tribute to influential black female artists. Before that, Sarena Rae shares a compelling soundtrack of female icons, from local favorites to internationally acclaimed stars.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Drummer Michael Shimmin’s ‘Albums That Changed My World’: Chili Peppers to Zappa
This week’s installment of ‘albums that changed the world’ for Michigan musicians spotlights the recordings that have most influenced in-demand percussionist Michael Shimmin. Listen to tracks from his picks and learn more about this Michigan musician.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Greta Van Fleet rocks GR (again), Lady Ace Boogie + Pals romp in Kalamazoo and more
Frankenmuth’s favorite sons in Greta Van Fleet continued their Michigan homecoming assault at DeltaPlex on Saturday, plus browse photos from a diverse set of shows in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, including Lady Ace Boogie, Jordan Hamilton, Cabildo, Djangophonique, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Between the Buried and Me.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Saxophonist John Gist’s ‘Albums That Changed My World’: Turrentine, Boots & Brecker Bros.
This week, Local Spins asked Grand Rapids saxophone icon John Gist to reveal the recordings that most influenced him as a musician, starting with the legendary Stanley Turrentine. Check out his picks, plus a current favorite that’s a ’60s classic.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Christian McBride, Joe Hertler, Ripe, American Hotel System, Celestial: Concert Photo Roundup
From the EDM mania of Virtual Riot to the jazz of Christian McBride to the blues of James Reeser and prog-rock of CBDB, it was a resplendent weekend of live music from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in Local Spins images and show recaps.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums That Changed My World: Dante Cope’s love of Lupe, Flying Lotus, Sons of Kemet
This week, Local Spins probes the intriguing musical influences of the multi-talented Grand Rapids artist Dante Cope, who propels the Les Creatif ensemble. View — and listen to — his picks for recordings that shaped him, along with the latest tracks from Les Creatif.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Normal Mode launches ‘lo-fi space travel’ twist on modern jazz
The super-trio with a Tuesday night residency at Listening Room in February was featured by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by The Accidentals, FINKEL, Luke Winslow-King, Morgan Haner, Emma A. Ward, Prior Noon, Daniel Terry, Jack White and more. Learn more about Normal Mode and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jazzing Up January: Joshua Redman Trio, Scott Veenstra Trio and more deliver musical magic
This weekend’s concert photo roundup has a distinctly jazzy flavor — national and local — plus it features a tour stop by Swedish dubstep star Liquid Stranger and a Kalamazoo showcase with WOOTS and Grace Theisen. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Stray café aims ‘to inspire and be inspired’ with diverse concerts, warm setting
Grand Rapids’ newest live music venue offers an intimate space and striking stage for emerging and established acts, with a ‘Battle of the Bands’ on tap. Learn more about this S. Division Avenue business and view a schedule of upcoming shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
West Michigan’s Annagail bares soul, processes pain with genre-spanning new albums
Led by Zeeland’s Jennifer and Jared Adams, the band spotlighted its deeply personal music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also featured new tracks by J.Rob, Ada LeAnn, Dynaflo, Fiona Dickinson, The Hacky Turtles and more. Get the back story on Annagail, watch a documentary about the band’s arduous journey and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Kanola Band channels New Orleans vibe for the No. 1 spot on Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart
The debut release from the Kalamazoo band fronted by Benje Daneman nudged out The Bootstrap Boys and Hacky Turtles to top all local and regional albums in airplay at WYCE-FM for December. Listen to tracks from all of the Hot Top 5 albums at Local Spins.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
Best Music and Concerts of the Year 2021: The Musicians’ and Readers’ Picks
Last week, Local Spins writers piped in with their “best of” lists for 2021. Today, some West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers reveal their favorite releases and concerts of the year, from Allison Russell, Nigel Hall and Jon Batiste to Billy Strings, Stratos and Michigan Rattlers. Check out all of the picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Best Music of the Year · Features · Videos
Best Music of the Year 2021: The Local Spins Critics’ Picks
As always, the annual flood of new music can be overwhelming. But Local Spins writers have sifted through these releases to make their picks for best albums and songs of the year, including Silk Sonic, Kingfish Ingram, Bo Burnham, Deafheaven and more, plus local artists such as Patty PerShayla, Lazy Genius, Seth Bernard and Amoura. Enjoy.
Album Reviews: The Verve Pipe, Kanola, Joshua Rilko, Vert Terms, Saajtak, The Wire Monkeys
In the midst of the holiday rush, Local Spins today spotlights six new releases by Michigan artists that deliver thought-provoking, compelling and sometimes surprising music. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums that Changed My World: Guitarist Mike Dodge’s devotion to McLaughlin, Miles, Jimi
Well-known West Michigan guitarist Mike Dodge is the focus of this week’s “Three Albums that Changed My World” feature, revealing some true, modern music classics. Check out his picks, listen to the music.
West Michigan Jazz Society Musician of the Year Paul Brewer: Grateful for a life of music
The respected lifelong musician, educator and jazz trombonist was honored during a special celebration on Monday, joining his wife, Robin Connell, as ‘musician of the year’ recipients. The profile of a istinguished career at Local Spins.
Sullivan King, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Milk Carton Kids, Drew Nelson: Concert Photo Recap
Hard to envision a more contrasting set of shows unfurling in West Michigan over the weekend: swing revival, folk, a metal-EDM hybrid, Americana, blues, you name it — all showcased in photos at Local Spins.
Austin Benzing, Lazy Genius, Edison Kitt make Hot Top 5 debut as Lee Heerspink soars to No. 1
Three new releases by Grand Rapids artists made a splash on the November chart at WYCE, with Heerspink’s jazz-fueled “Monsters’ Impromptu” swapping places with Billy Strings. View the chart, listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
November Fire: The Cadillac Three, Terence Blanchard, Donna the Buffalo, Live at Creston
A guitar icon (Leo Kottke), a regional pop fave (Matt Giraud) and heavy rock album-release (Tiny Tree) and more were part of West Michigan’s concert mix this past weekend. Browse eight photo galleries at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums that Changed My World: Hannah Laine’s exploratory quest, Cassidy to Kaiyote
Today, Local Spins spotlights the albums that most influenced Earth Radio singer and keyboardist Hannah Laine. Listen to tracks from all of the albums, plus songs from a current favorite and the latest from Earth Radio.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Rodney Crowell uncorks ‘joyful’ show of gems, plus Zach Bryan, Nada Surf, Dixon’s Violin
The Americana icon regaled fans at St. Cecilia Music Center amid a week filled with varied musical spectacles at West Michigan venues. Browse all the photo galleries at Local Spins, from Jinjer to Zach Bryan to Dixon’s Violin to Major Murphy and more.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums that Changed My World: Cameron Blake’s ardor for Billie, Glenn & mewithoutYou
On Saturday, Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake plays a special show at Listening Room. Today, he shares the recordings that most influenced him. Plus, win tickets to see him live.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Album Reviews: Desmond Jones, August, Harborcoat, Feeding Grizzlies and more
Fresh releases from Austin Benzing, Bermuda Teenager and Opulent Ardor round out this early October collection of albums and EPs. Browse the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the recordings by West Michigan artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Wilco to Coltrane: Singer-songwriter Brett Mitchell’s ‘Albums That Changed My World’
The northern Michigan drummer and guitarist today reveals the rock, jazz, soul, alt-country and funk influences which helped shape his own music, plus some artists he’s listening to these days. Bend an ear to tracks from all of the albums, plus songs from Mitchell’s latest release.
Iconic Voices: Michael Bublé charms arena; Indigo Girls ‘Howl at the (Gardens) Moon’
Monday proved to be an enchanting evening for devoted fans of two established, much-beloved artists whose tours made stops at different Grand Rapids venues. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
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