2008 JazzFest Tentative Line-up

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Beauty and the Beat

http://beautyandthebeatmusic.com/

When singer Katelyn Rae and guitarist Peter Paul met at Michigan Home Grown Music (MHGM), they knew their musical styles would blend well together. Katelyn's rich jazz/blues voice and Peter's incredible guitar licks excited fellow artists at MHGM from the first time they performed together, and as they gelled, their songs took on a richer and richer sound. With their great chemistry on stage, they have found a unique ability to bring some traditional jazz and blues songs back to life with a new modern flavor.

Katelyn certainly enjoys the great freedom to experiment and grow when she performs with Peter - and so does the audience. His ability to adapt and quickly find a riff is a tremendous asset for Beauty and the Beat.

Experience the beauty of jazz as Beauty and the Beat start off day 2 of JazzFest on the South Stage!




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Blues Melds with Jazz Workshop

This workshop highlights the interconnections of blues and jazz, as presented by the musicians Greg Nagy and Joe Gloss.

As the guitarist for the internationally acclaimed band Root Doctor, Greg Nagy's playing has earned praise from many significant publications, such as Downbeat, Hittin' the Note, The Chicago Sun Times, and Living Blues, to name a few. Greg is regarded as a fierce, tasteful, and creative guitarist in the international blues community. As Living Blues notes, "...guitarist Greg Nagy knows when to fly with a solo and when to kick back," and Hittin' the Note describes Greg's playing as "...forceful and precise."

The name Joe Gloss may sound familiar, since he is the guitarist for the powerhouse jazz trio organissimo. He is also a guitar instructor for Michigan State University's jazz studies program. Joe's playing has certainly excited the music critics from such notable publications as The Chicago Tribune, Cadence, and more. As former Downbeat writer Larry Kart describes, "Joe's lines always sing... In particular, his phrasing lies across the beat so subtlety and fluidly that I’d know his playing anywhere."

With their distinct sounds, these two distinctive musicians will demonstrate how they communicate and find common ground for musical expression. Not to be missed!

Photo © 2008 Dianne Bruce Dunklau.




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Byron Lyles' Crystal Jazz

If the name of this group sounds familiar, it's probably because you've heard it on the radio. Byron Lyles is the host of the show, "Crystal Jazz," which airs on Mondays from 7-9pm on WLNZ 89.7 FM (Lansing Public Radio). The term "Crystal Jazz" is actually a codename for "The Good Stuff," which precisely describes the music and talent of this group.

With Jeff Kressler on the piano, Ron Fairnot playing the sax and flute, Gary Allen on the guitar, Dale Kinzler on the bass, and Byron Lyles on the drums, this group illustrates their experience and flair. In fact, Byron performed with the band Tru-Art Connection at the first JazzFest in 1995. As seasoned musicians, they bring their personal blend to their music, as well as their love for the art.

Come hear the good stuff and ease into the evening with Byron Lyles' Crystal Jazz.




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Children's Ballet Theatre of Michigan

http://www.cbtdance.org

For 25 years, CBT has thrilled mid-Michigan audiences with the talent and exuberance of its young dancers, ages 8 to 18. Best known for its annual Nutcracker performances during Thanksgiving weekend, the company also performs classic ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Swan Lake in the annual spring show.

Dancers study technique at their regular home dance studios, then work with CBT to create memorable, fun performances. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gregory George, they learn more than classical ballet. They also participate in creating their own choreography and exploring the inner artist.

This diversity will be reflected in their performance at the Lansing JazzFest, where the CBT dancers will present an eclectic mélange of classical and contemporary ballet.

CBT gets the River Stage rolling Saturday afternoon - you won't want to miss it.




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Don Phillips

http://www.donphillips.biz/LJF08/

Performing solo piano for over 25 years, it seems as though Don Phillips was born with his innate musical talent. His various renditions of the swing era and beyond are inspired by his idol, Art Tatum.

At a young age, Don found motivation in his school orchestra and private study, and even formed his own jazz group. Although his initial college studies turned his attention towards science and engineering, he could not defy the gravity that drew him in the direction of music. His desire to pursue the piano ultimately landed him at the Oberlin Conservatory in 1978.

For the next several years, Don found success in his "Tatumology" and other jazz stylings at local jazz festivals, solo concerts, cafes, and clubs. Although Don has become a regular performer at the Lansing JazzFest, his talent and success is certainly a sound that everyone looks forward to.




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Ed Smith's JazzFest All Stars

Ed Smith's JazzFest All Stars bring some of Lansing's best local talent to the stage to close out the festival.

For more than 30 years Edmond Smith has been a sought-after jazz guitarist throughout Michigan. He is a graduate of Aquinas College's music program and a former jazz guitar instructor at Grand Valley State University as well as Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Performance credits include dates with Eddie Harris, (Wes Montgomery organist) Melvin Rhyne, a European tour with Marcus Belgrave, and most recently, a concert with Bernadette Peters. Ed continues to perform both contemporary and traditional jazz with his band Impulse, as well as lending his talents to numerous other local performers.

Ed brings some of the best local talent to the stage to close out Lansing JazzFest 2008. You can't miss this finale!




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GEQ

http://www.geqjazz.com/

The high energy of GEQ will surely make you get up on your feet and dance. Nominated by the 2007 Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Modern Jazz Group, GEQ is one of the hottest up-and-coming jazz ensembles from the Detroit area.

Composer/trumpeter Guymon Ensley formed the band in 2001. GEQ is a rare gem that plays classic jazz, be-bop, and nu-jazz music of the highest artistic quality. The energy of this group of six has been compared respectfully to the likes of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and the John Coltrane and Miles Davis ensembles.

"When Cornelious 'Ju-Ju' Johnson took the microphone, he took listeners with him to new heights of screaming, passionate delight. The GEQ has that 'secret something' of great jazz ensembles. They play music of the highest artistic quality, yet they relate to the audience one-on-one, just like the greats..." - Linda Yohn, Musical Director, WEMU 89.1

GEQ is sure to delight - make your way to the North Stage Friday evening to share the experience!




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Happendance 2

http://www.happendance.org

Happendance, a cultural treasure in the Lansing area and Michigan's longest-running professional modern dance company, continues to find ways to ensure the future of dance in our community.

One of those projects is Happendance 2, a pre-professional junior company. The dancers, age 12 to 18, are selected by audition and commit to pre-professional training and rehearsal in a variety of dance styles. They have the opportunity to work with various choreographers and to perform both with the Happendance professional company and on their own.

The JazzFest performance will see four members of the junior company performing a trio of works from their repertoire, including a piece performed at the professional company's 2008 concert, "Rise: The Up Side of Down."

Experience the beauty of Happendance on the River Stage Saturday afternoon.

Photo by David Grist.




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Happendance's Community Dance Project

http://www.happendance.org

Community Dance Project returns to Lansing JazzFest this year with a great new performance. This year, choreographers in the project are partnered with local visual artists to create new and innovative dance works that bridge art forms. These dances combine exciting media elements and imaginative costuming. Featured choreographers include Andrew Amos and Matt Bebermeyer. Collaborating artists include sequential artist Jay Jacot and fiber artist Candace Farmer.

Community Dance Project has its roots in choreographer showcases presented in-house by Happendance, Lansing's long-running professional modern dance company. It is sponsored by Happendance in partnership with Lansing Community College, with partial funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

For more information on the Project, and details on additional performances July 30-31 and August 1, visit happendance.org. Photo by David Grist.




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Jazz Doggs

Jazz Doggs is an up-and-coming local jazz band. You may have seen them at Stober's Cocktail Lounge or Rendezvous on the Grand as part of the Tuesday night jazz sessions. Whatever the night or location, the 'Doggs enjoy sharing their love of jazz.

Dick Johnson (bass) has an associate's degree in music, teaches at Marshall Music, and is a member of the local group Mystic Shake. Eric Payne holds a degree in music, performs with the group Big Willie and does gigs with bands around town, and has covered the drummer's seat on various blues jams. Dan Johnson has an associate's music degree and plays many instruments: tenor and alto sax, flute, recorder, guitar and piano. Ron Moore also holds a degree in music and teaches guitar at Marshall Music; you may have seen him playing solo guitar gigs in the classical, Spanish, Latin, and jazz styles.

You'll be eating up the sounds of the Jazz Doggs! Come on out for the opening act of JazzFest 2008!




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Joe Gloss Trio

Joe Gloss is a highly regarded guitarist and talented educator who became a part of the Professors of Jazz at Michigan State University in 2008. He masterfully combines numerous musical influences, both traditional and modern, creating a fresh approach that is admired by many musicians. Over the past 18 years, Gloss has performed with esteemed artists such as Ron Blake, Rodney Whitaker, Carl Allen, Bill Dowdy, Arno Marsh, Diego Rivera, and David Rosin. His primary group, organissimo, performs regularly throughout Michigan. Joe studied with Steve Frarey, Andrew Speight, Rodney Whitaker, W.A. Mathieu, and Fareed Haque.

For this performance, Joe is joined by Noah Jackson (bass) and Jeff Shoup (drums). Originally from Detroit, Noah is a jazz studies student in the MSU College of Music and a member of the Nu-Jazz Collective. Jeff, a 2007 MSU graduate, is a native of the Lansing area and regularly plays with mid-Michigan blues, jazz, and rock bands.

Come on out to the River Stage Saturday evening for a substantial, high-Gloss performance.




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Johnny O'Neal Trio

http://www.johnnyoneal.org/

The Johnny O'Neal Trio features the stylings of established musicians Johnny O'Neal, Rodney Whittaker, and Sean Dobbins.

Making an appearance in the 2004 Academy Award Winning film "Ray," Johnny O'Neal certainly has taken his career to soaring levels. Playing the role of legendary Toledo jazz pianist Art Tatum, Johnny was filmed playing the song "Yesterdays." Following the success of "Ray," Johnny was asked to fill the piano chair for the Ray Charles Band during its major venue tour in 2005. Other notable events in Johnny's career include an appearance at Carnegie Hall as the opening solo pianist for one of his idols, Oscar Peterson, and his 1998 induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Johnny has had the privilege of performing with a number of jazz icons, including Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, Anita O'Day, Kenny Burrell, and many others - and he has sought to play and preserve the style of the jazz masters. This dedication is apparent in his innovated interpretations of the jazz classics and his own lyrical compositions.

Rodney Whitaker, the trio's bass player, is currently a professor of double bass as well as the Director of Jazz Studies for the Michigan State University College of Music. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and has received national recognition performing with the Terence Blanchard Quintet. In 2006, he was nominated for the Juno Award, Canada's equivalent to a Grammy, for his work on "Let Me Tell You About My Day," produced by Alma Records. He has worked as a consultant with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the development of a jazz education department and served on the faculties at the University of Michigan, Julliard Institute of Jazz, Duke University, and many other prestigious schools.

The group's drummer, Sean Dobbins, got his start as a sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith. As Sean's career progressed, he found himself the recipient of many awards and accolades, including the Woody Herman Jazz Award and Louis Armstrong Scholarship. In 1999, Sean was asked to become the director of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Summer Jazz Program. He helped triple its enrollment.

Together, these three well-known jazz musicians provide a show-stopping performance to ramp up Saturday night's festivities. It's a can't-miss.




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Lansing Symphony Big Band

http://www.lansingsymphony.org/Musicians/TheBigBand/tabid/132/Default.aspx

Under the direction of John Dale Smith, the Lansing Symphony Big Band made its debut in the spring of 2001. The band features musicians of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, as well as other respected performers from throughout the state. Its repertoire includes the famous tunes of the 20's, 30's and 40's, written by composers such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cole Porter and George Gershwin.

Director John Dale Smith received a bachelor of music in piano performance degree from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in piano performance from Michigan State University. He retired from Lansing Community College and now serves as Director of Music at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lansing. In addition, Smith is the Interim Managing Director & Director of Development for the Boarshead Theatre. As pianist and music director for the Boarshead Theatre, he was involved in various productions.

Other performers in the band include Jon Gewirtz, Donell Snyder, John Nichol, Bronnie Brown, Doug Gluckin, Bob Lindahl, Roger Weyersberg, Jerry Krause, Bryan Pokorney, Rich Illman, Mark Thompson, Tim Parry, Steve Rentschler, Jason Nichol, John Stopper, and Janine Norenske Smith.

Come on out and hear classic tunes played by some of the best musicians in the state!




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Linda Abar and the Neil Gordon Trio

http://www.lindaabar.com

Linda Abar brings passion and innovation to her career as a singer, songwriter, and teacher. Linda agilely performs folk, jazz, and classical, drawing imaginatively on elements of Celtic and new age. The result is an intuitive blend of the varied music she has followed in her lifetime of study and performance. Linda's woven melodies, in combination with Neil and Larry's instrumental talent, make this performance truly one of a kind.

Although Neil Gordon is a newer face to the Lansing JazzFest, he is no stranger to the Michigan jazz scene. Neil's guitar skills and compositions give this eclectic group an edge. Neil released a CD in 2002 called "Think Big," which featured some of Michigan’s finest jazz musicians and six of his original compositions.

Larry Ochiltree, the band’s drummer, is one of the best in the Midwest region. He has played and toured with Maynard Ferguson, Mark Murphy, Hendrick Merkins, Marcus Belgrave, and Terry Lower, to name a few.

Linda, together with Neil, Larry and bass player Nick Calandro, certainly create a distinct sound. Start Saturday at the JazzFest off right with Linda Abar and the Neil Gordon Trio.




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Los Gatos

http://www.losgatosmusic.com/

This talented group of musicians offers the exciting rhythm and style of Latin jazz. Los Gatos is a nationally recognized band, and their recordings are enjoying airplay across the country.

Drummer and bandleader Pete Siers began to assemble a Latin jazz group in the fall of 1992. The concept of a small group combined with traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms has positioned Los Gatos as a consistent crowd pleaser. Their successes include producing two CDs and weekly performances at the Ann Arbor Firefly Club.

With their well-planned and engaging performances, Los Gatos' ability to interact with the audience is a unique strength that they hold as a jazz group.

Finish out Friday at the JazzFest with this smoking hot Latin jazz!




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MessageMakers Band with Pericles Gomes and Consuelo Campbell

If you love the timeless sounds of jazz, then you'll fall in love with the MessageMakers Band. Together, George Howard (saxophone), Gary Allen (guitar), Mike Skory (piano), Dale Kinzler (bass), and Robert Warren (drums), bring you the great sound of the classics.

Each of them have played with various other bands, such as the MSU Professors of Jazz, both here in Lansing and outstate. You may have heard George at Bomacs in Detroit, Mike at The Exchange, Robert in his 15 years at The Earl in Ann Arbor, or others at one of their various venues. Also, George and Robert used to be in a band called Tru-Art Connection with Byron Lyles; it played at the 2 Doors Down Gallery, back when Old Town was just starting to be revitalized. This was the original jazz group to play in Old Town.

Combined with the classic sounds of the MessageMakers band, Pericles Gomes offers his hot Latin percussion and cello. Raised in Curitiba, Brazil, he grew up learning to value rhythm, dynamics, and expression. After college, he ventured on the road throughout South America for a music career, and soon after found himself in the United States in East Lansing. There, he found many opportunities playing with the MSU Symphony Orchestra and those in various other cities. If Pericles' Latin beats sound familiar, it's because you may have heard him play at the 1997 Lansing JazzFest. With his wild rhythms, it's sure a treat to have him back and playing at this year’s JazzFest!

Consuelo Campbell will also be joining this eclectic performance with her sweet vocals. Originally from the Philippines, she will be singing the tune, "The Look of Love."

Take a look – you'll love the MessageMakers Band, heating up Saturday evening on the South Stage.




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organissimo

http://www.organissimo.org/

"organissimo invigorate[s] the organ trio tradition with fresh takes on the genre... eclectic... classic... inventive..." - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes.com, Sept. 2006

organissimo offers a unique and eclectic sound. Jim Alfredson, the organist of the group, and Joe Gloss, the guitarist, first met in 1997 at Michigan State University. Together, they led various groups before meeting drummer Randy Marsh in the fall of 2000. With its blend of raw talent and original music, organissimo quickly became one of the most popular organ-based trios of the greater Midwest.

The group extends the tradition of the classic organ-led combos of the 1960s into the modern age. Building upon the solid foundation created by the past masters, but incorporating modern elements, organissimo focuses on original material and cultivates a true group sound.

JazzFest's pitch reaches the height of organissimo on Friday night – don't miss it!




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Rayse Biggs

http://www.raysebiggs.com

Born and raised in the jazz scene of Detroit, Rayse Biggs is an accomplished musician with deep roots. His musical career began with the piano in the living room, which he used to entertain and perform for his family. Later he found his place in music with the trumpet and flugelhorn. But his talent does not end there - he is also an exceptional drummer and pianist.

Rayse's gift of music was first recognized in his teens. As the Motown Review began to gain popularity and acclaim, Rayse was able to travel with them and play the trumpet for The Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and Smokey Robinson, to name a few. Those musical affiliations allowed him to meet and perform with other musical greats, such as B.B. King and Sonny Stitt. His talent also allowed him to travel the world to Africa, Europe, Australia, Japan, and other places.

He has received national commendations and proclamations for his contribution to music, especially to jazz. He is frequently referred to as a "trumpeter extraordinaire," as his flurry and range of notes on the trumpet and flugelhorn are astonishing. He is also uniquely talented in his ability to play the dual horn.

Come on out on Friday night and hear the notes fly from both sides of this talented musician's mouth - at once!




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Sheila Landis Songwriting Workshop

http://www.sheilalandis.com

Are you an aspiring songwriter? Have you always wanted to write songs but don't know how? This workshop, with Sheila Landis and Rick Matle of the Sheila Landis Trio, will help you get going.

You'll discuss the importance of musical and lyrical "hooks" (and how to find them), finding lyrics in the speech of those around you, how and when to use clichés and quotes/homages, standard song forms and when it might be appropriate to use something nonstandard, the importance of repetition, how to use contrasting song sections, and identifying bridges and choruses.

Sheila Landis has been performing her unique style of jazz, Latin and blues since 1973. Her current schedule has her performing at Michigan's most prestigious festivals, concert venues and nightclubs. Clearly one of the area's finest vocalists, Sheila has been chosen as the "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist" by The Detroit Music Awards on seven occasions. Her catalog of recorded work has received extensive airplay in local, national and international markets. Sheila and Rick have also collaborated with labels and musicians in Great Britain, France and Japan.


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Sheila Landis Trio

http://www.sheilalandis.com

A talented and versatile musician, Sheila Landis is certainly one of a kind. As a leading member in four distinct bands, she adds a unique color and taste to each of them. Her horn-like sense of melody and rhythm combines with her outstanding skill in the art of scat singing. The result is a vocal performance that scales the heights, bouncing effortlessly from the blues and Brazilian to Bebop and beyond. No wonder that Sheila has been chosen as the "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist" by The Detroit Music Awards on seven occasions.

The Sheila Landis Trio includes percussionist Dennis Sheridan and Rick Matle on the electric guitar. Dennis adds exciting Latin, world beat and traditional swing rhythms to the mix. The trio together plays a variety of styles emphasizing swing, jazz, blues and Latin styles including bossa nova and samba. The trio's spontaneous interpretations of poetry have been featured in Sheila's "Music and Metaphor" workshops.




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Sunny Wilkinson

http://sunnywilkinson.com/

Inventive and flexible, Sunny Wilkinson is a mischievous vocal stylist who loves to toy with rhythm and tonal color. Her wide range, marvelous intonation, effortless agility, and passion for what she sings make her a one-of-a-kind artist.

As the daughter of a Methodist minister, Sunny grew up singing in church. Her first exposure to jazz music was in college at Arizona State University. There, she majored in choral education, and was a member of the jazz band. After graduating from college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she spent fifteen years as a session singer, teacher, performer, and jazz artist. She moved to Okemos in 1993, where she continues her music career.

As an experienced jazz recording artist, Sunny has released a number of CDs. Her latest CD was released in January of 2008, which was a duo project featuring Los Angeles-based pianist Tom Garvin. This disc showcases the intimate excursion through the art of the duo, highlighting Sunny and Tom's 30-year musical relationship.

Sunny's performance credits are impressive, having sung with The Count Basie Band, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Mark Murphy, Milt Hinton, Kenny Wheeler, Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Curtis Fuller, and Edgar Winter, among others. With a busy travel schedule, Sunny participates in clinics and performances at university and school jazz festivals, as well as jazz clubs across the United States.

Sunny is also dedicated to educating women about jazz. She is currently an assistant professor of jazz voice at Michigan State University. However, in the past, Sunny served as president of the International Association for Jazz Education. In 1996, she started a pilot program in Michigan for the mentoring of young women jazz musicians, called Sisters in Jazz, which has recently been implemented on an international level through the International Association for Jazz Education.

Come enjoy Sunny's playful stylings on Saturday night!




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The Fabulous Heftones

http://heftone.com/fabulous

With the soothing combination of a ukulele and a Heftone bass, the Fabulous Heftones certainly create a unique and distinct sound. The duo performs music from the late 1800s through about 1929, contributing the majority of their sounds from the 1920's genre sometimes called Tin Pan Alley. Brian Hefferan's brilliant ukulele playing intermixed with Lynn Hefferan's sweet and pure vocals are a perfect match for the lyrical love songs of that era.

Lynn also has great talent in playing the Heftone bass, a five-stringed upright acoustic instrument invented and built by Brian's father, Lawrence A. Hefferan. In addition to the instrumentation and vocals this duo creates, both solo and in harmony, Lynn adds whistling in pure tones, which is sometimes joined by Brian.

This duo is truly a case where one plus one is more than two!




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The NuPoet Collective

http://www.myspace.com/nupoets

Bringing their rhythmic, poetic stylings to the JazzFest once again are the NuPoets. The NuPoet Collective has performed locally and in the Ann Arbor and Detroit area.

Rina Risper is the founder of The NuPoet Collective and president and publisher of The New Citizens Press. She has taught poetry classes in Lansing and Atlanta, Georgia - teaching young people that poetry is a vital form of self expression.

Tiya Kunaiyi grew up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Born to a Mexican-American mother and Nigerian father, from birth she was in a world made of worlds. It is that unique state that has shaped the writer she is today. Tiya recently completed her first book, Complicated Simplicity, which will soon be released.

BLAIR is an award-winning poet, singer, and Afro-punk songwriter from Detroit. He has toured in South Africa, Europe and extensively throughout the U.S. He is a 2005 HBO Def Poetry Jam web site featured performer and a National Poetry Slam champion. He’s been nominated for 7 Detroit Music Awards, including a 2007 nod for Outstanding Acoustic Artist, and was named Real Detroit Weekly’s Best Solo Artist and The Metro Times Best Urban Folk Poet. He was poetry editor at The Furnace Magazine. Blair teaches poetry and music classes in Detroit Public Schools and Hannan House Senior Center, as well as lecturing and performing at universities, colleges and high schools across the country. BLAIR's one man show, Burying the Evidence, premiered to a standing-room-only crowd at 1515 Broadway Theater, and he has had work staged for the theater in both South Africa and Germany. BLAIR has performed on bills with Stevie Wonder, Oscar winner Michael Moore, Mike Doughty, members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, Richie Havens, Wilco, Cat Power and others. In 2007, he won the BENT Writing Institute Mentor Award.

The NuPoets will rock your world! See them on the River Stage Saturday afternoon.




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The Open-Late Thursdays

http://www.myspace.com/theopenlatethursdays

The Open-Late Thursdays formed in the fall of 2005 and immediately placed second in a local battle of the bands. Since then, they've headlined at the Temple Club and won and placed in various battles of the bands. They also organized a ska festival, "Skalloween," during Halloween 2007, inviting ska bands from all over Michigan to come in and play a Halloween set, complete with costumes, in Lansing.

Members Nick Strong (guitar/vocals), Sam Johnides (bass), Scott Hulteen (drums), Alex Allegretto (trumpet), Whitney Orth (saxophone), and Ben Ford (trombone) write a majority of their material, but have been known to do ska covers of songs such as "Crocodile Rock," "Stacy's Mom," "The Beetlejuice Theme," and "Son of a Gun."

Come on out on Friday night and groove with The Open-Late Thursdays!




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Thom Jayne and the Nomads

http://www.cdbaby.com/thomjayne2

With their unique blend of didgeridoos, trumpets, guitars, Native American flutes, and African percussion, Thom Jayne and the Nomads are a hard-to-categorize fusion of world music, jazz, and Celtic influences.

"No longer can the seemingly eccentric styles of jazz be dismissed as mere caprice, for its practitioners have succeeded in realizing their own unique and magnetic presence...MSU professor Thom Jayne fashions a fascinating blend of flamenco, Latin Jazz, and Celtic musical traditions." - Jonas Greenberg, host of the Jazz Spectrum, The Impact 88.9 FM

Thom Jayne's first release, "The Forgotten Conquest," has received award-winning recognition in the John Lennon Songwriters Contest and also won the 2002 Jammie Award in the World Music category.

With their latest CD release, "Road Trip," the band's signature acoustic sound, which at times is spiritual and ethereal and at times upbeat and hard driving, is clearly defined. This distinctive group will certainly offer an unequaled experience – prepare to be transformed!




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