Jazz Datebook
July 14, 2010

Regular Hits:

Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays 7 – 11 p.m. and Saturdays 6-10 p.m. The What Not Inn features a revolving cast of local musicians, including guitarist Rick Hicks on July 17th. Every Monday the What Not Inn jam session is open to musicians and vocalists featuring local, regional and international jazz musicians sitting in with the “house” band. No cover charge.  For a full schedule see www.whatnotinn.com. The What Not Inn is located at M89 and the Blue Star Highway, 2405 68th Street, Fennville, MI. (269) 543-3341.

Mondays from 8 to 11 p.m. pianist/vocalist John Shea appears with Matt Heredia on bass and Blue Lake instructor Chris Lawrence on trumpet in performance at The Republic, 45 South Division, Grand Rapids. www.republicgrandrapids.com.

Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m. piano jazz at The Red Ball Jet Café, 1431 Plainfield N.E., Grand Rapids.

Tuesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. piano jazz at The Bluewater Grille, 5180 Northland Drive NE, Grand Rapids.

Tuesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. live local jazz at The Grand Seafood and Oyster Bar, 24 Washington St., Grand Haven. (616) 844- 5055.

Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. The Tom Hagen Trio with vocalist Rick Reuther at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com.

Wednesdays, 7 to 11 p.m., Wally Michaels plays piano in duet with Jeff Beavan on bass at Mangiamo’s, 1033 Lake Drive S.E., Grand Rapids. See www.thegilmorecollection.com.

Wednesdays, 7 to 10 p.m. pianist John Shea is working at Brick Road Pizza, 1017 Wealthy Street S.E., Grand Rapids. (616) 719 – 2409.

Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. pianist Bob VanStee with singer Kathy LaMar at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686, or http://www.notosoldworld.com/site/index.php/lounge/live_entertainment. 

Thursdays trumpeter Eddie Curtis plays his 8th summer season at the Everyday People Café, 11 West Center Street, Douglas. Including a very special night of music July 15th when tenor saxophone legend Arno Marsh drops in with his son Randy Marsh on drums, and Dan Jacobs on trumpet and flute.  (269) 857 – 4040 or www.everydaypeoplecafe.com.

Fridays, pianist John Shea returns to Saugatuck to play from 8 to 11 p.m. with his quartet at Wicks Park, 449 Water Street. Information from (269) 857 – 2888 or www.wickspark.com.

Fridays, Tony Reynolds and Wally Micheals entertain at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686. www.notosoldworld.com.

Saturdays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. pianist John Shea and the Chet Baker influenced  Chris Lawrence on trumpet play at Notos Old World Italian Dining, 6600 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids. (616) 493 – 6686, or www.notosoldworld.com.

Saturdays live jazz with trumpeter Eddie Curtis from 7 to 10 p.m. at Restaurant Toulouse, 248 Griffith (at Culver Street) in Saugatuck. Reservations are recommended from (269) 857 – 1561 or www.restauranttoulouse.com’

Saturdays and Sundays jazz at Pumpernickels, 202 Butler St., Saugatuck, (269) 857-1196.

Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. pianist/singer John Shea with trumpeter Chris Lawrence and bassist Rob Hartman play in the courtyard at Restaurant Toulouse, 248 Culver Street, Saugatuck. Information from (269) 857 – 1561 or www.restauranttroulouse.com.

Timely Hits:

Tuesday, July 13th through Sunday, July 18th, Chicago saxophonist Eric Schneider (Earl Hines, The Count Basie Orchestra) performs with vocalist Catherine Whitney in the World Class Jazz Mini Tour. All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Saturday, July 17th at 7 p.m. drummer Fred Knapp and Groove Merchant stir up the Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Highway, in Douglas, MI. Information from (269) 857 – 7222 or www.saugatuckbrewing.com .

Sunday, July 18th at 5:30 p.m. the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with special guest saxophonist Arno Marsh jams at Founders Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Avenue S.W. Grand Rapids. If you can’t make it to the bar, the event will be streamed (both audio and video with a live chat) on the web via www.grjo.org.

Sunday, July 18th, the Michigan Jazz Festival is held at Schoolcraft College, Livonia, Michigan, from noon to 10 p.m. 6 stages, 23 groups, 5 big bands, many workshops. See http://michiganjazzfestival.homestead.com/.

Monday, July 19th tenor saxophone legend Arno Marsh with his son drummer Randy Marsh performs the epitome of mainstream jazz from 6:30 to 8:30 at the John Ball Park Zoo Bandshell, Grand Rapids, as part of the 10th season of Jazz at the Zoo presented by The West Michigan Jazz Society, www.wmichjazz.org. July 26th, Tom Hagen’s Quintet in a tribute to George Shearing; August 2nd, vocalist Michelle Covington with the Scott Bell Quaret; August 9th, vocalist Claudia Schmidt’s Quartet; and August 16th The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. 

Monday, July 19th at 7:30 p.m. trumpeter Gordon Vernick performs in the Louis Armstrong Theater, Performing Arts Center, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, as part of GVSU’s International Trumpet Seminar. Trumpeter Gordon Vernick is coordinator of jazz studies at Georgia State University. His weekly radio program, “Jazz Insights,” is a hit on I-tunes. See www.gordonvernick.com. Information from (616) 331 – 3484 or www.gvsu.edu/artscalendar.

Tuesday, July 20th through Sunday, July 25th soul singer Tony Reynolds (he’s sung back up for Tom Jones and Elton John) in the World Class Jazz Mini Tour. All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Wednesday July 21st at 7:30 p.m. BOTH of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s International Jazz Orchestras will perform at Blue Lake: the ensemble conducted by Richard Fanning appears at William S. Stewart Memorial Music Shell, and the orchestra led by Bill McFarlin plays at Bartlett Shell.  Information from (231) 894 – 1966 or www.bluelake.org.

Wednesday, July 21st at 7:30 p.m. Crossover trumpet virtuoso Rex Richardson presents a concert of jazz and classical music as part of the Grand Valley State University International Trumpet Seminar in the Sherman Van Solkema Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, GVSU, Allendale. See www.rexrichardson.net Information from (616) 331 – 3484 or www.gvsu.edu/artscalendar

Thursday, July 22nd at 7:30 p.m. A former member of Joe Henderson’s jazz band who’s toured Europe with Williams Russo’s Chicago Jazz Ensemble, trumpet virtuoso Rex Richardson joins The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and fellow trumpeter Gordon Vernick, coordinator of jazz studies at Georgia State University, for a blow out performance as part of the GVSU International Trumpet Seminar. Tickets are $12 at the door. Information from (616) 331 – 3484 or www.gvsu.edu/artscalendar.

Thursday, July 22nd from 7 to 9 p.m., the River City Jazz Ensemble with vocalist Kathy Wagner swings at The Lowell Showboat. See www.lowellchamber.org.

Thursday, July 22nd, the Lakeshore Big Band plays swing and classic jazz at Mill Point Park, Spring Lake. www.lakeshorebigband.com.

Thursday, July 22nd the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra appears at the Gull Lake Country Club, Gull Lake. Band leader Harry Boesch characterizes the band as an eclectic mix of professional musicians, music educators and big band fans, many of whom are alumni of Western Michigan University’s school of music. Information on the band from (269) 384 – 6756 or www.gulllakejazz.com.

Saturday, July 24th at 8 p.m. The Northwoods Improvisors Trio plays Justice Records, 617 N. Mission, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. Information from (989) 317 3040.

Saturday, July 24th from 6 to 8:30 p.m. the Evidence Jazz Group with saxophonist Michael Doyle performs at First United Methodist Church, 111 East Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI. 49014.

Monday, July 26th cool jazz vocalist Libby York returns to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck for a performance with Chicago pianist Jeremy Kahn. Not to be missed. www.libbyyork.com.  (269) 857 – 3339 or www.sc4a.org.

Tuesday July 27th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 The Truth In Jazz Orchestra plays a mixture of classic big band repertoire (think Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Duke Ellington), plus recent charts from Gordon Goodwin, among others, at The West Side Inn, 1635 Beidler St, Muskegon, MI. More from www.tijo.org.

Tuesday, July 27th through Sunday, August 1st, Grand Rapids native, pianist/composer John Proulx is featured with bassist Dave Rosin and drummer Pete Seirs in the World Class Jazz Mini Tour. See www.johnproulx.com . All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Wednesdays July 28th and August 18th the Lakeshore Big Band appears in the Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Information from www.lakeshorebigband.com.

Friday, July 30th, from 7 to 9 p.m. drummer Randy Marsh and “Big Organ” featuring B3 organist Chris Moberly with guitarist Rick Hicks in the new Ourdoor Summer Music Series on the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s Terrace Stage, 101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids (616) 831 – 1000, or artmuseumgr.org. August 20th, Interlochen jazz saxophone instructor Bill Sears.

Tuesday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 8th Chicago vocalist Petra Van Nuis returns with the Andy Brown Quintet to the World Class Jazz Mini Tour. All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Fridays August 6th, October 1st and November 5th from 8 to 11 p.m. The Lakeshore Big Band will play dance music at the Grand Haven American Legion, 700 S. Harbor Drive, Grand Haven.

Fridays August 6th, 12th and 20th from 6:30 to 10 p.m. vocalist Libby York returns to the Everyday People Café, 11 West Center Street, Douglas. (269) 857 – 4040 or www.everydaypeoplecafe.com. And www.libbyyork.com

Tuesday, August 10th through Sunday, August 15th New York trombonist/vocalist Pete McGuinness’s New York All Stars featuring organist Akiko Tsuruga in the World Class Jazz Mini Tour. See www.petemcguinness.com . All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Saturday, August 14th at 7:30 p.m. the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra celebrates the Frauenthal Theater’s 80th Anniversary, 425 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49440. Reserved seats from (800) 5858-3737 or www.frauenthal.org.

Tuesday, August 17th through Sunday, August 22th The Hot Club of Detroit, one of Michigan’s premier jazz bands, appears in the World Class Jazz Mini Tour. See www.hotclubofdetroit.com.  All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Tuesday, August 24th through Sunday, August 29th, New York vocalist Nicole Pasternak, saxophonist Ralph Lalama and The Steve Sandner Band wrap up the 2010 World Class Jazz Mini Tour. She’s sung with the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Joe Lovano Nonet. All shows from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. unless noted: Tuesday at the Manistee Lakeshore Pavilion on First Street Beach; Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, 438 North Hancock Street, Pentwater; Thursday at the Rotary Pavilion in Cadillac; Friday at the City Campground in Reed City; Saturday at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin; and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Gull Landing, Pentwater. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.

Saturday, September 4th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wenger Pavillion in Baldwin, Ludington’s 16 member General Assembly Big Band is led by Tom Sheppardson, features vocalist Ginny Deuseau, and plays music by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Woody Herman. Information from www.worldclassjazz.org, (231) 642 – 1388, or e-mail timscully@netone.com.net.