The 2019 Jazz in the Park Series!
The concerts will be held at Millennium Park Meadows (1415 Maynard Avenue, Walker)
This huge urban park has modern amenities and plenty of parking. Its location will allow us to reach out to the residents of all the neighboring towns. And it will provide us with something we have missed since our days at the Zoo-- permanency in a beautiful setting, and greater opportunity for recognition in order to grow our membership!
We will be using the Grant Pavilion on the park’s east end. Clean, spacious restrooms are close by and handicap friendly. Bring a hat, sunglasses and perhaps an umbrella to fully enjoy the concert. Vendors will be close, but you can bring a picnic and an adult beverage of your choice.
More information can be found in the April/May issue of the WMJS’s newsletter, Jazz Notes.
This marks the 19th year that WMJS has produced jazz concerts that are a tradition on the summer events calendar and one of the most popular events. We are seeking sponsorship and donations to enable this tradition to continue. Business, corporation and
For a brochure about becoming a Jazz in the Park Sponsor or Patron, CLICK HERE.
The 2019 series kicks off June 10th with the East Kentwood Jazz Ensemble 1 led by Jim Ross. They have received numerous awards for their performances at both Western and Central Michigan Universities, Purdue University and have received Superior Division ratings at the Michigan School of Band and Orchestra Association’s State Jazz Festival since 1990! It will be a pleasure to listen to this great group of young jazz musicians keeping the music we love ALIVE!
June 17th - We will welcome Scott Veenstra and Friends featuring vocalist Ramona Collins. Scott is a solid drummer who has played around the west Michigan region with many local bands and groups in this region. Ramona as described by Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine has “a strong, satiny voice with a lot of blues and soul seasoning and a very hip sense of time.”
June 24th - We will present Bluemonk led by vocalist Susan Booker Morris. The band members are Matt Moresi on piano, Carlos Melendez on guitar, Rob Smith on trumpet and saxes, and Paul B. Smith on drums. Susan’s group has been performing since 2009, specializing in the American Songbook, Bebop, Latin Jazz, and Jazz Funk. They are committed to both preserving and exploring jazz idioms.
Thank you for your patience as we have updated our membership process this year!
Because our new process for annual memberships began in January, you may receive a mailing that went out to our entire member base to encourage becoming current for 2019. This letter will have the prorated amount to complete your membership for this year.
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 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.
Thank you to Noto's Old World Italian Dining for providing a benefit for our members! Present your new membership card when ordering an entree' and receive a free appetizer!
West Michigan Jazz Society PO Box 150307 Grand Rapids, MI 49515
616-490-9506
Aquinas Jazz Camp Faculty Concert
Kretchmer Recital Hall at Aquinas College Art & Music Center
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
7:30 pm
Not to be missed - FREE concert!!
Featuring Paul Brewer, trombone; Matt Brewer, bass;
Robin Connell, piano; Benje Daneman, trumpet;
Tim Froncek, drums, Mike Hyde, guitar;
Tom Lockwood, sax & flute
Bassist Matt Brewer and son of Dr. Paul Brewer, attended the inaugural class of The Juilliard Jazz Program. He has worked with artists such as Greg Osby, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lee Konitz, David Sanchez, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Vijay Iyer, Adam Rogers, Steve Coleman, Dave Binney, Aaron Parks, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and many others. A sideman on dozens of recordings, he recently recorded his third album, as leader, on the Criss Cross Jazz label. He is an adjunct faculty member at The New School, a member of The San Francisco Jazz Collective, and has been a frequent guest artist/teacher at the Banff Center.