Robin Connell Trio, piano jazz

Jazz Singer-Pianist Robin Connell honed her craft in New York City, at places such as The Waldorf-Astoria and the Rainbow Room, bringing the sophistication of The Great American Songbook to life in her own charming and inimitable way. Along with her regular trio, bassist Rob Hartman and drummer Keith Hall, Robin will be joined by the sensational percussionist “Bujo” Kevin Jones.

The Block has created a new Safe Nights at The Block health policy for indoor gatherings. This includes providing proof of vaccination, with the last dose administered at least 14 days before concert admission. Unvaccinated patrons will be admitted with a negative Covid-19 test administered within 72 hours of each concert. Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status while Muskegon County transmission risk remains at substantial or high, according to the CDC’s system. Children under the minimum age for vaccination are welcome with face covering masks and proof of a negative test. Please continue to check this website for updates.

ROBIN CONNELL
Jazz pianist (& vocalist), Robin Connell, the Artprize 2016 jazz music award recipient, was also the West Michigan Jazz Society’s pick for 2017 Musician of the Year. She performs regularly as bandleader or side-woman at concerts and clubs with bandleaders Randy Marsh, Kevin Jones, Jim Cooper, and others. The Robin Connell Jazz Trio, with bassist, Rob Hartman, and drummer, Keith Hall, is the ‘House Trio’ at Grand Rapids new music venue, the Listening Room, where they welcome a different guest musician to the stage each month.

She and husband, Paul Brewer (trombone/vocal) frequently appear as duo, or with their quartet, performing their original arrangements of time honored jazz standards. And Jazz in the Sanctuary at Fountain Street Church, which she has hosted since the concert series began in 2014, is another current endeavor.

Enthusiastic about jazz education, Robin’s teaching credits include twenty summers as jazz faculty at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. She currently teaches jazz studies at Aquinas College, and co-directs the St Cecilia Youth Jazz Ensembles, Robin was a presenter at the 2020 Jazz Education Network conference in New Orleans and her resume includes a long list of stints as guest artist/clinician/adjudicator and K-12 school performances.

With a Doctorate of Arts in Music Composition [University of Northern Colorado], and composer of many instrumental works, Robin is the winner of multiple arts grants at the national and state levels. Her several commissions include Derailed, a work for the 1998 Massachusetts All-State jazz band, for which she was also the conductor. Some of her big band pieces can be heard on Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra recordings including their recently released 'Behind the Mask'.

"BUJO" Kevin Jones
“Bujo” Kevin Jones is a percussionist, band leader, producer and educator. A native of Eng-lewood, New Jersey, Kevin grew up in a household immersed in jazz, soul, gospel and blues. He was drawn to the drum at the age of 10 and never looked back; starting his professional career at the of 13. Kevin has toured and recorded with The Isley Brothers, Whitney Houston, Gloria Gaynor, and Angela Winbush as well as Jazz greats Archie Shepp, Reggie Workman, Winard Harper and Hilton Ruiz. As an eternal student of the drum he continues his study of African Di-aspora music with Djobi Irie Simon from Ivory Coast and Mbemba Bangoura of Guinea as well as Afro-Caribbean music with Luisito Quintero. Kevin currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI and teaches is a Professor of Percussion at Michigan State University and a Artist In Residence Western Michigan University.