West Michigan Jazz Society heartily thanks the Kent County Parks Foundation for granting us the use of Millennium Park for our summer concert series!
Founded in 1999, the Kent County Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and improving parkland, protecting the environment, and preserving open space. We support the mission of the Kent County Parks Department, which is currently responsible for 38 parks and four inter-community trails.
July 22 - Vocalist and entertainers Mary Rademacher Reed and Francesca Amari share the stage, presenting a fun show, “Double Trouble” as only this group of seasoned performers can. Returning from the weeklong World Class Jazz Tour, this should be a polished, entertaining performance.
Francesca Amari is a versatile, popular Palm Springs-based entertainer who has performed in top-rated cabaret clubs from NYC to Hollywood. Mary Rademacher Reed is probably the most well-known singer/entertainer in our area. Besides her vocal talent, she is a choreographer, director and costumer at Kenowa Hills High School for their Drama Program. She is a dancer, an actor, an educator and is always a lot of fun!
Francesca and Mary will be accompanied by gifted pianist, vocalist and left-hand bass player Mark S. Kahny, a favorite with singers both in Michigan and California.Drummer and vocalist Timothy P. Johnson has been performing on Michigan’s west coast all his life. This groovemeister is known for making the music fun with his style of playing and endless sense of humor.
July 29 - Gustavo Cortiñas has developed a successful career in the US for a decade, leading and accompanying ensembles in renowned stages and festivals in North America, Latin America, Asia,and Europe. Once again on July 29th we will be able to watch and hear this amazing drummer and composer. Cortiñas is a member of the Chicago Jazz Composer’s Collective, performing regularly for their monthly residency at Chicago’s very own Green Mill.
“Cortiñas’ music is uplifting, robust, melodic, and gets your body moving; it’s an exciting blend of the artist’s musical influences from jazz and Latin American, including his native Mexico” (DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE). This can be heard on his records as a leader, “Snapshot” (July 2013), “a Smörgåsbord of the moods and nuances that make up the human experience... an idiosyncratic album that intrinsically fuses the personal to the universal” (Lissette Corsa, Jazziz Magazine).
Gustavo is working on his third and most ambitious project as a leader: a musical journey which traces through thirteen compositions, the poetic and tragic history set by Eduardo Galeano in his book: “The Open Veins of Latin America”.
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
