2023 PERFORMERS
The first of many amazing performers taking the stage at Michigan Jazzfest!
We'll be announcing more artists in the next few weeks.
The Pickle Mafia
From Nirvana to Ariana Grande and a slew of danceable originals, The Pickle Mafia brings an exciting variety to JazzFest. Started in May 2019, this group has already played over 60 shows across the New York state area, their mission being “to travel from city to city taking people on a musical journey together”.
THUR AUG 4 • 8:00pm • UrbanBeat
FRI AUG 5 • 9:00pm • River Stage
Ritmo Patria
Ritmo Patria, directed by Mike Eyia will be perfoming original compositions by Gregg Hill and Cuban inspired jazz. Mike has shared the stage with a number of recording artists such as Los Lobos, Salsa great Oscar D’Leon, Pete Escovido, Wycliffe Gordon and others.
FRI AUG 5 • 6:00pm • South Turner Stage
Vocalist Tiffany Gridiron with her sultry vocals and playful approach, built on influence by greats such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Gridiron has brought her sound internationally to excited audiences in the United States, Japan, Finland, and South Korea.
FRI AUG 5 • 8:00pm • South Turner Stage
Luther Allison is an exciting act for all audiences. Based in New York, Allison is a multi-instrumentalist performer who specializes in piano and drums. He has performed nationally and internationally alongside many great names, and can be recognized as the current pianist for Generation Y Quintet. Luther truly keeps the love of jazz performance alive.
THUR AUG 4 • 9:30pm • UrbanBeat
Luther Allison
Tom Duffield
Tom Duffield’s piano work has been a part of the jazz and blues scene for decades. His repertoire includes interpretations of the standards as well as some surprises. A regular at music festivals on the west side of the state, we are glad to have him at the JazzFest Michigan.
FRI AUG 5 • 5:00pm • 7:30pm • 9:30pm
SAT AUG 6 • 3:30pm
UrbanBeat
Dan Templin and Kelly Sandula-Gruner’s approach to performing and a shared love of singing jazz standards led to the formation of Clique. The duo performs with the Lansing Concert Big Band as featured vocalists.
FRI AUG 5 • 7:00pm • River Stage
SAT AUG 6 • 7:30pm • UrbanBeat
Clique Vocals
School of Rock
School of Rock bands perform on stage at local venues. Jazzfest Michigan provides a great opportunity not only for building musical ability but for building confidence, collaboration, and social skills - not to mention it’s the most fun way to learn an instrument!
FRI AUG 5 • 7:00pm • 9:00pm
SAT AUG 6 • 5:00pm • 7:00pm
North Turner Stage
Michigan-native Walter White has an extensive background in jazz performance, formed by his expressive-trumpet playing. His playing can be heard on many famous soundtracks, including those of TAXI and The Cosby Show. White has an impressive recording arsenal, including “Breaking Good”, a record that reached into the
Top 20 on the Jazz Week charts.
FRI AUG 5 • 10:00pm
• South Turner Stage
Walter White
& Friends
Tiffany Gridiron
“The Sam Corey Quartet” featuring, Kasan Belgrave, Rufus Ferguson and Joshua Watkins is a musical collective of musicians deeply influenced by the sounds of Detroit. The quartet will play a set from 11pm-12am, followed by a band-led jam session with other festival musicians until 1:30 am.
FRI AUG 5 • AFTERGLOW • 11:00pm
UrbanBeat
Sam Coray
& Friends
JAMM Scholarship Band
SAT AUG 6 • 3:00pm • River Stage
Hip Notes
Hip Notes is a four-piece group playing high energy music, ballads, Latin music, and funk style modern jazz. The members are all local seasoned musicians who have toured with some of the greats such as Joe Cocker, Mica Paris, B Angie B, Mark Farner, Les Sabler, Manfredo Fest, Marty Balin to name a few. Band members are Trent Harris, Pauleo Ojibway, Gino Parker and Ruben Drake.
SAT AUG 6 • 2:00pm • South Turner Stage
Brian Charette Trio
Michael J Reed
Performing throughout the Midwest and New York, East Lansing’s own jazz drummer Michael J. Reed, has been leading his own groups to play at many venues, and recently released his second album, “Remove All Fear”. Come see this musician’s growing, impressive career in action.
SAT AUG 6 • 4:00pm
South Turner Stage
Don’t miss NYC-based organist/pianist Brian Charette’s modern jazz. This musician has been performing extensively in both Europe and in the United States, while receiving rave reviews on his nineteen albums - many of which have been in the Jazzweek and Itunes top 20.
SAT AUG 6 • 5:00pm • River Stage
Olivia Van Goor is a young vocalist with an old soul influenced by swing and bebop jazz, with a rich musicality unique to herself that still pays tribute to jazz tradition. This Southeast Michigan performer has been seen at historic Detroit clubs, such as Cliff Bell’s and Aretha’s Jazz Cafe at Music Hall. Watch her performance for that which is beyond replicating what has been done before.
SAT AUG 6 • 6:00pm • South Turner Stage
Olivia Van Goor
Reuben Stump Trio
The Reuben Stump Trio has been playing together in various ensembles for the past 3 years, performing standards. The Trio features: Reuben Stump - bass and vocals, Lansing pianist Eric Banitt and from Marquette drummer Eliza Salem. The trio will perform from 11pm-12am, followed by a band-led jam session with other festival musicians until 1:30 am.
SAT AUG 6 • 7:00pm • River Stage
AFTERGLOW • 11:00pm • UrbanBeat
Minor Element
All-instrumental, jazz fusion band Minor Element are a must-see. Audiences can expect a groove with complexity, as this group draws inspiration from any sound including jazz, rock, and gospel. Made up by nine members of diverse musical backgrounds, this group is bringing a special experience.
SAT AUG 6 • 8:00pm • South Turner Stage
Elden Kelly
Elden Kelly brings remarkable flare to JazzFest 2022 with Carolyn Koebel (Percussion) and Denis Shebukhov (Bass). Kelly’s genre of jazz stretches the expectations of audiences with his engaging performance, with foundations in both traditional bases and fusions. Don’t miss Elden and his recognizably outstanding music.
SAT AUG 6 • 9:00pm • River Stage
496 West
496 West offers soulful vocals, a powerhouse horn section, killer keys, silky strings, and indispensable percussions grounded in the soul, smooth jazz, and R&B genres with a sprinkling of the blues and gospel jazz.
SAT AUG 6 • 10:00pm
South Turner Stage