Tag Archives: GRandJazzFest

GRandJazzFest ready for 7th festival this weekend, Aug. 18 & 19

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,

 

By Molly Klimas

 

The seventh annual GRandJazzFest presented by the DTE Energy Foundation brings 10 diverse jazz performance acts to the Rosa Parks Circle stage Aug. 18 and 19 in downtown Grand Rapids at West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. GRandJazzFest 2018 also includes free face painting for the kids (and kids at heart), plus a beverage and V.I.P. area provided by the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

 

The complete performance lineup for the event in order of appearance:

 

SATURDAY, Aug. 18                                                                                        

  1. Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde, 12:30 p.m.
  2. John Gist, 2 p.m.
  3. Kevin Jones and Tenth World, 3:30 p.m.
  4. Oli Silk, 5 p.m.
  5. Lin Rountree, 6:30 p.m.
  6. HEADLINER: Euge Groove, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 19

  1. Student Jazz Band: Lushh, 1 p.m.
  2. Grupo Ayé, 2:30 p.m.
  3. Marcus Anderson, 4 p.m.
  4. Nelson Rangell and Steve Oliver, 5:30 p.m.

The DTE Energy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, is helping festivalgoers care for the environment through its greening program and encouraging them to reduce, reuse and recycle. Through last year’s program, the festival recycled 525 pounds of waste, and refused more than 720 pounds.

 

The two-day GRandJazzFest is free for the seventh year in a row thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, along with the City of Grand Rapids, GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Mobile GR and Parking Services, Corporate Live, GRAM and many others (see the full list at http://grandjazzfest.org/sponsors/). The festival also is grateful to the many volunteers who contribute to the successful execution and experience of GRandJazzFest.

Tips for festivalgoers:

Location

GRandJazzFest will be held at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rosa Parks Circle is located at 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI  49503. You can find Rosa Parks Circle on Google Maps.

 

Mobile GR encourages attendees to walk, bike or ride the bus to the festival

A new festival partner this year is the City of Grand Rapids’ Mobile GR and Parking Services department. Mobile GR encourages festivalgoers to consider walking, biking, riding the bus, or sharing a ride with a friend to the festival. There are bike racks installed by the City of Grand Rapids around the Rosa Parks Circle venue for stowing and self-locking bikes.

 

Learn more about getting around Grand Rapids, and parking options for those who drive, https://grandjazzfest.org/plan-your-visit/.

 

Get there early — especially if you love big band music. Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde kicks off the festival, which starts at noon on Saturday, Aug. 18. The fest goes until 10 p.m. that night and continues Sunday, Aug. 19, starting at 1 p.m. and going until approximately 8 p.m.

 

WHAT TO BRING

Bring lawn chairs, mini-coolers and sunscreen. The event takes place in a sunny, open area with some shady areas around the perimeter. The fest’s main tent will have bottled water for sale, the adjacent Grand Rapids Art Museum will be featuring a special refreshment area, and there are plenty of places surrounding Rosa Parks Circle to grab a quick bite and beverage. Plus, it’s Restaurant Week during GRandJazzFest! Learn more here: http://www.experiencegr.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/.

 

Also: There’s free Wi-Fi at Rosa Parks Circle via iserv, compliments of The City of Grand Rapids. GRandJazzFest’s website is mobile-optimized, which makes it easy to find the fest schedule and more. Plus, take photos while you’re at the fest and share on social media. Got feedback? Take our online survey (www.grandjazzfest.org/2018-survey/) with your phone to help us keep producing great fests.

 

For local hotel information, please visit experienceGR.com. Hotels within walking distance of Rosa Parks Circle include:

  • Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
  • City Flats Hotel
  • Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
  • Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown

7th annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation announces 2018 dates

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Upcoming Events, ,

Lineup of this year’s performers to be revealed at H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. on April 30, part of International Jazz Day celebrations

By Molly Klimas

 

GRandJazzFest, presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, this Aug. 18 and 19, for the seventh annual festival. The popular family friendly festival is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival.

 

The two-day festival typically draws thousands to the heart of downtown Grand Rapids for the two-day, outdoor event always held the third weekend in August. In 2017, the event drew more than 10,000 people.

 

“We’re so excited to have the DTE Energy Foundation back for the seventh consecutive year as our presenting sponsor,” festival founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “We could not put on this festival without its support, and the support of all of our generous sponsors and volunteers. Jazz is really about bringing people together. It’s about community. And we’re grateful to the people and organizations that show their love of community by supporting GRandJazzFest,”

 

Holding the festival in the center city allows festivalgoers to enjoy all that downtown offers including restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location is easily accessible to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is close to parking.

 

 “We believe art and cultural events have a direct correlation to a city’s ability to attract new visitors, define a sense of place and community, and contribute to the development of local skills and industries,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Energy Foundation. “The Grand Rapids community is extremely important to us and we’re proud to be presenting sponsor again. By investing in this hallmark event, the DTE Energy Foundation is helping to boost the local economy and strengthen the vitality of the region.”

 

The 2018 festival lineup will be revealed on April 30 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids. Doors open at 6 pm. The Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet will perform during the evening’s event, which will announce the 10 diverse jazz artists and bands — including a student jazz band and two major headline acts — slated for the 2018 GRandJazzFest. Hilger’s band has performed at past GRandJazzFests, and he also serves as a board member of GR and Jazz.

 

“Jazz is a year-round passion here in West Michigan. We’re excited about a fun evening and a great way to reveal our 2018 lineup to jazz fans on April 30,” Hilger said.

 

Festival organizers have coordinated with International Jazz Day leaders to include the 2018 GRandJazzFest announcement as a sanctioned International Jazz Day event. Grand Rapids city commissioners announced GRandJazzFest as one of the city’s 2018 signature events, a distinction only given to local events proven to be successful and that enrich the community. Previously, GRandJazzFest 2016 received distinction as a Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Signature Event along with two other festivals, ArtPrize and LaughFest.

 

GR and Jazz, the nonprofit, all-volunteer-run producer of GRandJazzFest, is pleased to once again announce a special collaboration with the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). The 2018 festival’s V.I.P. area, which is open to sponsors, will be located on the GRAM front terrace where refreshments and snacks will be provided. Additionally, an outdoor bar will be set up at the base of the GRAM’s front steps adjoining Rosa Parks Circle to offer refreshments for attendees to enjoy during the festival.

 

People can get a taste of past GRandJazzFests by viewing the recap videos at http://grandjazzfest.org/newsroom/video/. More information on the 7thannual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation can be found at www.grandjazzfest.org. Connect on social media on the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites, www.facebook.com/grandjazzfest and www.twitter.com/grandjazzfest.

Grand Rapids jazz festival to offer two days of free music, familiar and new

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
Edye Evans Hyde and the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra will open the annual free GRandJazzFest. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

There will be some new sounds and some familiar sounds dancing around “The Circle” as the GRandJazzFest 2017 returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20.

 

Jazz will flow from the opening set — the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with the superb Edye Evans Hyde fronting, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday — to the closing set of Grammy nominated keyboardist Nate Harasim & NILS featuring Brandon Willis, at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

 

The JazzFest, presented by DTE Energy, is free to the public, with a come-and-go, festival seating format.

 

Richard Elliot (Supplied/Lori Stoll)

Saxophonist Richard Elliot will headline the festival, with a Saturday night closing set at 8 p.m.

 

“We’re thrilled to have Richard Elliot headline the sixth annual GRandJazzFest,” Audrey Sundstrom, festival founder, said in supplied material. “He’s a huge name in the jazz and R&B world.”

 

The Scotland-born, Los Angeles-based, Elliot is one of 11 performers and bands who will play throughout the two-day weekend. The eclectic array of jazz performances includes genres from big band to straight-ahead, from contemporary to Latin-Cuban.

 

“We have music for everyone,” Sundstrom said. “The great thing about jazz is there are so many types.”

 

Performers such as the Big band sounds of the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Evans Hyde of vocals, and the jazz organ trip of “organissimo”, with Jim Alfredson on the Hammond B3, Larry Barrris on guitar and Randy Marsh on drums, will be pleasingly familiar to local audiences, the festival always opens eyes and ears to something new.

 

Pianist Nate Harasim will likely be one of those pleasing new sounds for most people.

 

Nate Harasim, from an album cover.

In addition to three contemporary urban jazz recordings – including 2011’s very well reviewed Rush – Harasim’s work as a composer, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Dave Koz’s Billboard No. 1 Jazz Album Hello Tomorrow and a 2014 Soul Train nod for Vandell Andrew’s  No. 1 hit “Let’s Ride.” Harasim’s hundreds of stage appearances include performing at President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Ball with best pal Rahn and playing twice at the Dubai International Jazz Festival, according to his website.

 

For more information on the GRandJazzFest and a complete line-up, see the event’s Facebook page @GRandJazzFest .

6th Annual GRandJazzFest announces 2017 dates

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,

 

By Molly Klimas

 

GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., this Aug. 19 and 20, for the sixth annual festival. The popular family-friendly festival is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival.

 

At the 2017 festival in August, 11 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a student jazz band and two major headline acts. Free face painting by Fancy Faces will be available for kids and, if lines aren’t too long, for “kids at heart.”

 

The two-day festival will again be free thanks to Presenting Sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations, individuals and volunteers.

 

“There’s something special about jazz that brings people together like no other art form. It’s because jazz is so diverse – it has so many styles, from Big Band to Latin to Contemporary, and I’m just naming a few,” GRandJazzFest Founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “GRandJazzFest is what community is all about.”

 

GRandJazzFest typically draws thousands to the heart of downtown Grand Rapids for the two-day, outdoor event always held the third weekend in August.

 

Holding the festival in the center city is by design, to enable festival-goers to take in all that downtown has to offer: restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location provides easy access to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is also close to parking.

 

The 2017 festival lineup will be announced on April 26 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B.

 

 

5th Annual GRJazzFest announces line-up April 27

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grand-jazz-logo

By GRandJazzFest

 

Summer’s still quite a way off, but it’s never too early to get excited about good jazz!

 

GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., this Aug. 20 and 21, for the fifth annual festival. The popular family-friendly festival, which attracted more than 10,000 people last year, is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. The two-day festival will again be free because of Presenting Sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.

 

Edye-Evans-Hyde
Edye Evans Hyde performed last year

“Grand Rapids and West Michigan have embraced GRandJazzFest,” founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “We’re proud to say GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse, community-oriented festivals for people who live here, who travel here, and who want to enjoy two days of great live music in a vibrant downtown setting. THIS is what community is all about.”

 

Each year, GRandJazzFest has been held at Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids to enable festival-goers to take in all that downtown has to offer: restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location provides easy access to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is also close to parking.

 

The 2016 festival lineup will be announced on April 27 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B. That night at H.O.M.E., the band Evidence led by saxophonist Michael Doyle takes the stage. Evidence performed at the 2014 GRandJazzFest.

 

Like last year’s reveal, festival organizers will coordinate with leaders at International Jazz Day to include GRandJazzFest’s reveal announcement as a sanctioned International Jazz Day event.

 

At the 2016 festival in August, 11 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a student jazz band and two major headline acts.

Walt-Gutowski1
Walt Gutowski performed last year

 

Free face painting by Fancy Faces will be available for kids and, if lines aren’t too long, for “kids at heart.”

 

GR and Jazz (the non-profit, all-volunteer-run producer of GRandJazzFest) is pleased to announce a special collaboration with the Grand Rapids Art Museum: Under an agreement with GRAM, the festival’s VIP area will be located on the GRAM front terrace where refreshments and snacks will be provided. The VIP area is for sponsors of GRandJazzFest. Additionally, GRAM will have an outdoor bar area set up at the base of its front steps adjoining Rosa Parks Circle for attendees who would like to purchase and consume refreshments and enjoy the festival.

 

Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2016, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community. GRandJazzFest 2015 received distinction as a Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Signature Event along with two other festivals, ArtPrize and LaughFest.

 

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids, and GRAM, sponsors for the 2016 event to date include GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Gilmore Collection, Comcast, Hilger Hammond, Amway Hotel Corporation, Experience Grand Rapids, ICON Sign, Meijer, Moxie Men Incorporated, Hungerford Nichols, WGVU, Steelcase and Clark Hill. Sponsorship opportunities are here.

Grupo-Aye
Grupo Aye performed last year

 

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support – we could not do it without them,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to help us bring a full weekend of FREE, family-friendly live jazz performances to West Michigan!”

 

Get a taste of past GRandJazzFests by viewing the “recap” videos here.

 

More information on the 5th annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation can be found here and at the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

GRandJazzFest Announces 2015 Dates for Fourth Annual Festival

Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, , ,

2015-GRandJazzFest-Logo-for-Web-HeaderGRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 15 and 16, the fourth consecutive year for West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival.

The two-day festival will again be free thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.

“GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse and well-attended events in West Michigan. As a major event, it has established its own name on the jazz scene in Michigan and the Midwest,” DTE Energy Regional Manager Roger Royer said.

More than 10,000 people attended the 2014 festival.

“Grand Rapids loves its jazz,” GRandJazzFest Founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “People came from as nearby as local neighborhoods and as far away as other states and Canada. With the great turnout and positive feedback, we’re excited to be producing a fourth annual festival.”

Festival planning for 2015 is underway, with artist selections to be announced in the spring. Like last year, 10 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a major headline act.

Sundstrom said diversity of the lineup is key: “Jazz has so many sub-genres – Latin, straight-up, contemporary, soul and big band, to name a few. If diversity has a sound, it’s the sound of jazz.”

“DTE Energy Foundation is proud to support the diversity and vibrancy that GRandJazzFest brings to downtown. We’ve been so pleased with the past three GRandJazzFests and look forward to the fourth annual event!” Royer said.

Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2015, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community.

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation and the City of Grand Rapids, sponsors for the 2015 event to date include Experience Grand Rapids, Amway Hotel Corporation, Ellis Parking, Swift Printing, Gilmore Collection, Moxie Men Incorporated and Intent Public Relations.

Sponsorship opportunities are available here: http://grandjazzfest.org/sponsors/

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to join our sponsors from last year in bringing a full weekend of free jazz performances to West Michigan!”

People can get a taste of what past GRandJazzFests were like by viewing the “recap” videos here: http://grandjazzfest.org/newsroom/video/

More information on GRandJazzFest can be found at www.grandjazzfest.org, and at the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites – www.facebook.com/grandjazzfest and www.twitter.com/grandjazzfest.