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 […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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 […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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 […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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 […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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. […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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. […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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 […]
Read MoreProof 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 […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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 […]
Read MoreMuskegon, 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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