September 16 - Patty Gayle and Mary Rademacher Reed!

On September 16, vocalists Patty Gayle and local favorite, Mary Rademacher Reed team up to make this first concert of the Monday Night Jazz Gumbo series extra special.  These crowd-pleasing performers will be backed up by The Mark Kahny Group.  Mary and Patty share many similarities in their backgrounds beginning with both being lifelong Grand Rapids residents and both have traveled overseas performing with the USO.  This dynamic duo has each been involved in numerous local musical productions, although none together, making this concert a unique opportunity for collaboration of these two highly talented ladies.  The group is headed by musical director, pianist and vocalist, Mark Kahny, a very much in-demand accompanist.  Mark Weymouth, one of the busiest and most sought-after drummers in West Michigan and John Gist, master of soprano, alto and tenor saxophone will be adding their talents to this quartet.

Come!  Enjoy!  Bring your friends and please help us spread the word about our Fall/Winter music series!

Plan to arrive early to secure a seat; however, to allow our musicians proper set up and sound check time, we ask that you arrive no earlier than 5:45pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

October 21 - Beer City Saxes to Perform!

This swinging ensemble draws its members from the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. Audiences have enjoyed the Beer City Saxes around west Michigan at such events as the Lansing Jazz Festival, Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts, Hastings Thornapple Jazz Festival,  and the West Michigan Jazz Society's Progressions Jazz Series.  The have also performed at Watermark 920, Harmony Hall, The BOB, and for such events as Habitat for Humanity benefit concerts. Regular rotating members include saxophonists Gary McCourry, James Hayward, Tom Lockwood, Tom Stansell, Greg Marsden, Mike Lutley and Bob Nixon. The group will be joined on this performance by pianist Steve Talaga, drummer Eddie Eicher and bassist Dave Collee.

The Beer City Saxes specialize in Four Brothers and Supersax style arrangements, featuring compositions by such jazz legends as Benny Carter and Charlie Parker. The Four Brothers style is based on the Woody Herman saxophone section instrumentation of 3 tenor saxes and a baritone sax. Supersax instrumentation is 2 altos, 2 tenors, and a baritone sax. This style places emphasis on tight harmonies and often includes arrangements of classic solos, especially those of Charlie Parker. They also perform originals and a wide variety of timeless standards such as “Save Your Love for Me”, “Caravan”, “Over the Rainbow”, and “It Could Happen to You”. Various audio samples of the Beer City Saxes can be heard on Youtube.