Jazz Happens

New Member Special!

JAZZ GUMBO RETURNS!

The fall and winter WMJS’s Monday night Jazz Gumbo series begins on Monday, Sept 16. The Steve Talaga Quartet, Mind’s Eye, will open the series. The quartet consists of band members: Rob Smith, trumpet and saxophones; Tom Lockwood, bass; Keith Hall, drums; and Steve Talaga on keys.

Mind’s Eye focuses on playing originals and jazz standards in a modern mainstream jazz style.  Veterans of countless area jazz venues and festivals over their 30-year history, they’ve released four CDs, “Angst for the Spoiler,” “Seasons,” “Lucky Nine,” and “Children of the Glacier.”  Hear their music at:  https://www.reverbnation.com/mindseye7/songs

Doors open at 6pm, Casino Club 3260 Plainfield Ave., NE, Concert 6:30-8:30pm. Tickets are available at the door. Member price including dinner is $25., without dinner $18. Non-members with dinner $30., without dinner $23.

We have a new food vendor this year. Dinner is a choice between gumbo or mashed potatoes and gravy, both options come with a salad and a roll.

The reasons we had to increase the price include the fact that the cost of food has substantially increased. Also, the number of attendees has decreased ever since the covid pandemic. We encourage you to attend our Gumbo series to make it possible for us to continue bringing you live jazz concerts throughout the fall and winter months.

Help us keep the music playing!

Ashville Blues

West Michigan Jazz Society wants to thank everyone who attended this exceptional event. It was a pleasure to honor our 2024 Musician of the Year, Michael Hyde and our 2024 Betty Forrest Jazz Ambassadors John Miller and Barb Keller Miller. And to also be welcomed once again at the magical Riddle estate.

Most of all a big shout out to our generous sponsors!

Kent and Susan Riddle
Jim and Peni Reed
Denison Financial
Jim Engbers
Robin Toth and John Berchulc
Dr. Leslie and Barb Neuman
Laura Ohman
Kurt and Sharon Stiansen
Sylvia Taylor
Ronald and Catherine Verheilig
Norman & Marjorie Tubbs

Big Band Nouveau

If you are not attending the JAZZ JAM at Turnstiles, you are missing out! Jazz Jam every Sunday from 5-8pm!

Big Band Nouveau

A NEW MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL!!!

The WMJS’s board is offering a membership promotion for anyone who signs up as a NEW member before the end of the year! Starting immediately. New memberships will be honored from the date of signing to the end of December 2025.

Click here for more...

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.

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.

Part of WMJS's mission statement is to provide music scholarships for deserving students in pursuit of jazz education.The 2024 Music scholarships are ready to receive requests! PLEASE help us get the word out and direct worthy candidates 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.