Join us Sunday for live performances beginning at noon
For the first time in three years, Schoolcraft College once again will be the site of some of the best jazz musicians in the country, especially from Detroit and throughout Michigan, performing live at the Michigan Jazz Festival on Sunday, July 17. The free event starts at noon and features more than 40 bands performing in venues across campus, mainly in the VisTaTech Center.
The last live performance was in 2019; the 2021 program was presented online.
Dr. Barton Polot, who served the Music Department at Schoolcraft College for nearly 20 years, including as Department Chair, encourages everyone to attend.
“You know, there are roughly a dozen jazz and blues festivals all over the state each summer,” he said. “The Michigan Jazz Festival stands out, however, with seven simultaneous stages. Nothing else compares.
“All day long, at any given time, jazz lovers can choose from a variety of musical styles and talents, familiar names as well as first-timers, the best jazz musicians in the state, all within a few steps. Add to that convenient free parking, air-conditioned comfort, great food and Schoolcraft College’s award-winning craft beer. Did I mention that attendance is free?”
New to the Festival this year is the Michigan Jazz Festival All-Star High School Band under the direction of Vincent Chandler. The group will perform at 2 p.m. Also new are two in-person jazz education clinics, the first of which starts at 9:00 a.m.
Weston Parker, a Computer Graphics Technology student at Schoolcraft College, designed the graphic for this year’s Michigan Jazz Festival.
Here is the schedule of the performances and venues:
Leven Open Air Stage – The Big Tent
- Noon – Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings (PORK)
- 1:30 p.m. – Oopapada
- 3:00 p.m. – Terry Lower Trio & vocalist Edye Evans Hyde
- 4:30 p.m. – Dave McMurray
- 6:00 p.m. – Dave Bennett Quartet
- 7:30 p.m. – Diego Rivera Quintet
Bill Bolle Presentation Stage – Kehrl Auditorium
- 12:30 p.m. – Allen Dennard Quintet
- 2:00 p.m. – Jon-Erik Kellso and friends
- 3:30 p.m. – Louis Jones Quartet
- 5:00 p.m. – Anthony Stanco Quintet
- 6:30 p.m. – Jonathon Muir-Cotton and Expressions
- 8:00 p.m. – Sean Dobbins Trio
Jerry McKenzie Rathskeller Stage – Lower Waterman
- 12:15 p.m. – Russ Macklem Quintet
- 1:45 p.m. – Cary Kocher and Sarah D’Angelo
- 3:15 p.m. – Doc’s Holiday Tribute Band
- 4:45 p.m. – Vincent Chandler Experience
- 6:15 p.m. – Ron Kischuk: Masters of Music Tbones
- 7:45 p.m. – Lunar Octet
Vosgerchian Solo Piano & More – Reynolds Room
- 12:30 p.m. – Michael Malis
- 1:45 p.m. – Bill Meyer
- 3:15 p.m. – Jordan Young Organ Trio
- 4:45 p.m. – Ryan Bills / Trevor Lamb Sextet
- 6:15 p.m. – Matthew LoRusso Quintet
- 7:45 p.m. – Brandon Williams
Salden Big Band Stage – DiPonio Room
- 12:15 p.m. – Planet D Nonet
- 2:00 p.m. – MJF All-Star High School Jazz Band
- 3:45 p.m. – Russ Miller and the Jazz Orchestra
- 5:30 p.m. – CSO
- 7:15 p.m. – Jeff Trudell Big Band
Music Hall Future of Jazz Stage – Henry’s Café
- 12:00 p.m. – Millennium Trio
- 1:30 p.m. – Ellen Wallenfang Quintet
- 3:00 p.m. – Playing with the Pros
- 4:30 p.m. – Notre Dame Prep Jazz Combo
- 6:00 p.m. – Nate Topolewski Quartet
Livonia Community Foundation Cabaret Stage – American Harvest
- 12:15 p.m. – Olivia Van Goor and William Bennett
- 1:30 p.m. – Lori Lefèvre and Chris Buzzelli
- 2:45 p.m. – Barbara Ware and Cliff Monear
- 4:00 p.m. – Kate Patterson and Chuck Shermetaro
- 5:15 p.m. – Naima Shamborguer and Sven Anderson
- 6:30 p.m. – Jiana Hunter and Scott Gwinnell
Michigan Council For the Arts Clinic Stage – Forum Auditorium
- 9:00 a.m. – Dwight Adams — Jazz Improvisation clinic
- 11:00 a.m. – Ellie Martin — Jazz Vocal Improvisation clinic