The Block

West Michigan’s favorite drummer Tim Froncek brings summer Jazz nights back to The Block, beginning June 27

Muskegon, Michigan, June 20, 2023—The typical jazz drummer is a hip but restrained figure, seated behind a trap set keeping the beat.  He and the bass player are the core rhythm section; their job is to remain out of the spotlight, providing a solid but unobtrusive backing for the band, the pianist, or whoever is […]

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WMS percussionist brings piano and percussion colleagues back to The Block for Scheherazade, Stravinsky and more

Muskegon, Michigan, December 20, 2022— WMS Principal Percussionist Matthew Beck returns to The Block with a program featuring music by Steve Reich, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Igor Stravinsky, among others, at 5:00pm Saturday, January 14. Joining him will be CMU faculty member and former WMS timpanist Andrew Spencer, along with pianists Patrick Johnson from MSU and […]

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Muriel Anderson brings harp guitar to The Block

Muskegon, Michigan, October 27, 2022—Chet Atkins declared her worthy of national recognition. The Reporter dubbed her “the premier female fingerstyle guitarist today.” Les Paul called her “one hell of a great player.” Audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring sound of a unique artist on a unique instrument—along with a backdrop of […]

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Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez presents Rachmaninoff and Resonances in two West Michigan performances, November 4 & 5

Muskegon, Michigan, October 25 2022—When Gabriela Martinez makes her first West Michigan appearance in nearly 10 years—performing Rachmaninoff’s big, lush Piano Concerto No. 2 with Scott Speck and the West Michigan Symphony on Friday, November 4—what better way to follow it up than with a masterfully-curated solo program the next evening at The Block? Taking […]

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“Hard-swinging” Pianist Terry Lower kicks off jazz series at The Block with his BLT Trio 

Muskegon, MI, October 14, 2022—Known for his technical prowess and hard-swinging style, pianist Terry Lower has been active on the Jazz scene for over four decades, performing both in the U.S. and abroad. Lower will open the 2022/23 Jazz at The Block series on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 pm. Joining him will be Dr. […]

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Dixon’s Violin brings “one-man symphony of sound” to The Block season opening

Muskegon, MI, September 26, 2022—Dixon’s Violin, which opens the 2022/23 season of The Block on Friday, October 7, 7:30 pm features the violin as never heard before. Improvising on a 5-string electric violin with a looping system he developed, Dixon creates an all-live, one-man symphony of sound. This is music that mesmerizes, moves, and transforms. […]

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At last! Fareed Haque and Tony Monaco slated to perform at The Block this month

Muskegon, Michigan, February 7, 2022—The long-awaited appearance at The Block by jazz guitarist Fareed Haque and organist Tony Monaco will take place on Saturday, February 19 at 7:30pm. Originally slated to appear in May 2020, the virtuoso duo are eager to perform live for West Michigan audiences at last! Fareed Haque is known to audiences […]

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2021-2022 Season of The Block opens to live audiences with crossover group TAKE3

Proof of vaccine required for admission, along with masks while county remains at substantial or high risk per CDC Muskegon, Michigan, September 17, 2021—On Friday, October 1 at 7:30 pm The Block will reopen to live audiences with the genre-defying string trio TAKE3. With a flair for the wild and unexpected, the group combines top […]

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Mannheim Steamroller percussionist Tom Sharpe featured in Virtual Block performance

Muskegon, Michigan, June 8, 2021 — Tom Sharpe’s music is a percussive symphony–a sonic and visual feast for the senses. Best known as the drummer for Mannheim Steamroller, Sharpe blends a classical background with world music instrumentation that invites the listener into the heart of the performance. Sharpe will be featured in a program of […]

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Detroit sax legend Alex Harding and Organ Nation offer blues and funk in Virtual Block performance

Muskegon, Michigan, May 24, 2021 – Legendary sax man Alex Harding will team up with drummer Djallo Djakate and jazz organist Jim Alfredson—collectively known as “Organ Nation”—for an unforgettable video concert premiering at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 18 in the Virtual Block. The dynamic trio explores all facets of African-American music from the deepest blues […]

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