Musician of the Year Nominations Requested

Now that WMJS has caught up with our Musician of the Year for 2021 with Paul Brewer, it's time to get back on schedule for MOY 2022! Please click here or on the button below to make your nomination for who we'll honor next year.  The deadline for nominations is January 16!

Musician of the Year – Paul Brewer

Jazz Gumbos are Back!

Cost is $15.00 for WMJS members, $20.00 for non-members, and $10.00 for students with ID. (If you choose not to get a food ticket, the price will be $5.00 less) Doors open at 6:00pm, concert times will be 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Jennifer Idema Family prepares the food choices, gumbo or soup served with salad and bread, or hot dogs and chips. The meal is cafeteria-style and included in the cost of your ticket. The Casino Club bartenders offer concert attendees the Casino Club’s membership drink prices!

Every third Monday of the month from September through April (except December, when we have the WMJS Holiday party).  WMJS invites a different group to entertain each month.

January 17 - Postponed Due to COVID-19
Clifton Metcalf, Larry Barris, Michael Reed Trio

February 21
Gayelynn McKinney Quartet

March 21
Yuriana Sobrino Garcia Trio

April 18
Andrew Bishop/Ellen Rowe Duo

May 16
Keith Hall Trio

HCJO ANNOUNCES 21-22 CONCERT SEASON

The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, a professional jazz band based on the west Michigan lakeshore, is pleased to announce that live concerts have returned for 2021-2022. The band will be performing several concerts this season after enjoying a triumphant return to the stage with the Holland Symphony Orchestra at their Pops at the Pier concert in July.

For the 21-22 concert season, the band will feature several guest conductors after the departure of founding Music Director Dr. Jordan VanHemert. Four major concerts are planned, in addition to several smaller concerts using varied instrumentation and personnel. Mr. Mark Wells, Band Director in the East Grand Rapids public school district, will open the season with the band on Sunday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Park Theatre in Holland. Admission price will be $10.  You can find out much more about Mark by checking out his website: markdwells.com.

Also joining the band for the September performance will be Stafford Hunter on trombone. The band most recently recorded an all-new album with saxophone artist Derek Brown, and “All Figured Out” is receiving rave reviews. Recorded in February of 2020, right before the Covid pandemic, the album features Derek Brown as soloist on tenor saxophone, as well as many members of the HCJO and the Hope College music department.

The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra is made up of professional musicians from the lakeshore and surrounding areas. Members of the band have performed with many outstanding bands and musicians, and have enjoyed careers spanning many decades of performing and teaching. Lakeshore audiences are sure to recognize local teachers and performers in the band. More information on the band can be found at www.hollandcjo.org.

 

 

Annual WMJS Membership

 

 

Annual membership renewals are due on January 1st, 2022.

Payment can be made by mailing in a check or by clicking here or on the link below to pay through PayPal. We will get your new annual membership card sent out right away after payment. If you received our mailing in error, please just disregard. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

West Michigan Jazz Society   PO Box 150307 Grand Rapids, MI   49515

616-490-9506

 

VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES AROUND WEST MICHIGAN

Don't miss our Wednesday evening "Speaking of Jazz"

... live-stream series! These will now be broadcast to the WMJS Facebook page, the WMJS members only Facebook group, and our brand new YouTube channel (Be sure to subscribe to the Youtube channel!).

Join John Shea on Facebook - 7:00 - 9:30 PM

  • Every Wednesday with Rob Hartman

  • Every Friday with Fred Knapp and Denis Shebukhov

Blue Lake Public Radio

features Jazz From Blue Lake every Monday through Friday starting at 10 p.m. and the 5 hour broadcasts are also available the following day on demand by clicking the Jazz From Blue Lake links at www.bluelake.org/ondemand.

Tune in to Mike and Edye Hyde

on their Facebook page EVERY SUNDAY at 7:00 PM.

2020 and 2021’s increase in anti-Asian racism has hit hard with PARMA artist Jordan VanHemert. While anti-Asian racism in the United States is not new, the recent escalation of hate-related instances must be stopped. The nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate reports that there were roughly 3,800 reported Asian-American hate incidents this past year during the pandemic, and then on March 16, a racially-motivated massacre occurred in which six of the eight victims were Asian women. This concert is presented as a means to raise awareness and make concrete changes through music.

All of VanHemert’s proceeds will be donated to the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. To donate visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/143497054358492/

Make a difference this holiday. Shop for gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/38-2748335 to generate donations for West Michigan Jazz Society and check out our AmazonSmile Charity Lists to donate items we need most.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the West Michigan Jazz Society is to advance, uphold, and sustain live jazz in West Michigan through promotion, performance and education.

Part of WMJS's mission statement is to provide music scholarships for deserving students in pursuit of jazz education.The 2021 Music scholarships are ready to receive requests! PLEASE help us get the word out and direct worthy candidates here!

If you prefer to print and mail an application, please click here!

WMJS Board Meeting Minutes
Now Available Online

The minutes of the WMJS Board Meeting from this past August are now available on this site under the "More" tab above or HERE. Minutes will be added and archived in the months ahead on this page.

Amazon Smile

Click above for more info!