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XAVIER DAVIS TRIO
Xavier Davis' professional career as a Jazz pianist took off when the legendary vocalist Betty Carter spotted his outstanding talent at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston while he was performing with his college ensemble. It was her who brought Xavier to New York, hiring him exclusively as the pianist of her working trio. Today, Xavier is one of the most accomplished Jazz pianists world wide. Having led master classes and clinics all over the world and coming from a family of music educators, passing on knowledge and skills to young musicians is very important to Xavier. As such, he is proud to be Associate Professor of Jazz Piano at Michigan State University. Xavier was also member of the teaching staff in the Jazz department of the Juilliard School of Music in New York for six years prior to that. Xavier's development as a musician has been greatly influenced by the inspiration and guidance he has received from Carl Allen, James Williams, and Billy Hart, whom he sees and respects as his great mentors. In addition to Betty and Carl, Xavier has performed and recorded with many other world-famous Jazz artists like the legendary Freddie Hubbard, Tom Harrell, Christian McBride, Regina Carter, Stefon Harris, Abbey Lincoln, Wynton Marsalis, Don Byron, Nat Adderley, Nicholas Payton, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Greene, Steve Turre, Al Foster, and Jeremy Pelt among others. During the 1999 - 2000 season, Xavier worked with the Boy's Choir of Harlem as their Musical Director. He also played keyboard for the television series "Cosby." His talent has been featured on more than 50 albums. Xavier is part of the Christian McBride Big Band and was featured on Christian's album 'The Good Feeling', which won a GRAMMY award in 2012. As a bandleader, Xavier has released two critically acclaimed albums - 'Dance of Life' and 'The Innocence of Youth'. "The pianist [Xavier Davis] simply knows how to make every note on his instrument sing, and he invariably finds the richest area of the keyboard for voicing his chords." says writer Bob Blumenthal. Jazz Times reviewer John Murph writes "...the music exudes a mature, nonchalant ease and cozy empathy that make this...a rewarding listen." Down Beat gave the CD, "Dance of Life," four stars, stating, "Davis steps out with an accomplished debut." Xavier is currently working on his long awaited follow-up to these albums. In 2005, Xavier became the first person to receive the prestigious "New Works Grant" twice from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation under the auspices of Chamber Music America. He has won awards at several festivals as well as in Down Beat magazine. Being a gifted composer, arranger, and producer of music, Xavier has composed and arranged music for outstanding artists like Carl Allen, Regina Carter, and Hans Schuman. He has co-produced the album "Wise Children" by Tom Harrell and recently produced the new album of singer Lizzie Thomas. Xavier is also a passionate and experienced film and commercial music composer/producer. |
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THE PHEROTONES
Giancarlo Aversa, piano Wesley Fritemeier, drums Ross Huff, trumpet Brennan Andes, bass Originally “Giancarlo and the Wedding Rehearsal Band,” the group formed to play cocktail jazz at wedding receptions. On Valentine's Day of 2013, the demand for sophisticated and eclectic musical entertainment created an opening for the band at The Last Word, a speakeasy in Ann Arbor. The Pherotones have held a Thursday residency ever since. The original group, organized by master mixologist Giancarlo Aversa on piano, includes Wesley Fritzemeier on drums, Brennan Andes on bass, and Ross Huff on trumpet. The Pherotones now feature virtuoso fiddler Jordan Adema on violin as they present stirring renditions of songs from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, Hollywood, television and pop radio as well as celebrating the song book of Black American Music, funk, salsa, and rock and roll. Poet and journalist Arwulf Arwulf wrote of the band's qualities, "rambunctious creativity, positive vibes.” |
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EDYE EVANS HYDE
Edye Evans Hyde has been making music for over 40 years. Performing has taken her from Michigan to California, Asia and Europe playing with such notables as Ray Charles and Arturo Sandaval, Jennifer Holiday and Clay Aiken. She has also performed locally with many groups such as the Grand Rapids Symphony and The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. Edye has also performed as an actor with local theatre companies playing such roles as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Rose in Fences, and her favorite role as Sarah in Civic Theatre’s first production of Ragtime. Also appearing on screen in the kids TV show "Come On Over!" as Miss Lucy and in Fubble Entertainment production of "Backstage Drama" and "Holiday Memories of Grand Rapids." Edye formerly taught classes at Hope College in Jazz and Contemporary Music. Edye also directed the Hope College Gospel Choir and is currently the founder and executive director of local theatre company Ebony Road Players. You can hear Edye and and her husband Mike on her most current album Magic In His Eyes and during their occasional live stream concerts on Facebook. |
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PAUL KELLER QUINTET
Jazz string bassist Paul Keller brings his popular quintet to The Book Nook Java Shop in Montague, MI on sUNDAY jULY 10 from 7 till 9:30 PM for a spirited and entertaining evening of music that will feed your soul, lift your spirits and massage your ears! The PK5 features the high-powered talent of vocalist/clarinetist Sarah D’Angelo, vibraphonist extraordinaire Cary Kocher, the young genius of the piano Adam Mosley, and wizard of the guitar Ralph Tope. Keller and Co. will amaze and delight you with their virtuosity and their clever, swinging and jazzy musical arrangements of fun and familiar songs from the Great American Songbook. PK5 will give a tip of the hat to George Shearing, Nat King Cole, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Paul and his gang are eager to please you with their happy brand of singing and swinging. Veteran jazz string bassist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator Paul Keller is well-known as “ The House Bassist For The State of Michigan”. He seems to be everywhere performing great jazz. Paul’s Detroit resume includes hundreds of performances with late, great Detroit jazz heroes Bess Bonnier, Tom Saunders, Jack Brokensha, and Chuck Robinette and Larry Nozero. Paul has toured the world with jazz super-stars Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Russell Malone, and Eddie Higgins. For 33 years, Paul has expertly led his 15-piece big band, The Paul Keller Orchestra every Monday night at their home Zal Gaz Grotto, in Ann Arbor - over 3,000 shows and counting! Paul Keller, Sarah D’Angelo, Cary Kocher and Adam Mosley perform every Thursday night at downtown Detroit’s famous and historic London Chop House restaurant. For more information about Paul Keller and his music, check out www.PaulKellerJazz.com |
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GALEN BUNDY PIANO TRIO
The Galen Bundy Piano Trio is a modern jazz group heavily influenced by Scandinavian folk music and Romantic era composers. Great importance is placed on the sensitivity of interaction between the three instruments, with group musicality valued over soloistic ideals. Featuring Galen Bundy on piano, Sean Perlmutter on drums, and Eric Nachtrab on bass. |
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CROSSROADS RESURRECTION
Formerly Crossroads Blues Band, Crossroads Resurrection is one of the premier definers of the Kalamazoo sound. Their unique, funky blend of blues, soul and swamp grooves as well as their engaging stage show has been winning awards and entertaining Michigan audiences for years. The band started out hosting a jam in Kalamazoo (located exactly half way between Detroit and Chicago) which became a huge attraction for some of the best players in the area. From this musical melting pot, this superb group was forged. The lineup consists of the big vocals and smooth sax playing of front man Eddie Lester, the stellar guitar and vocals of Dave Allemang, and the solid rhythm section of Charles Johnson on bass and Jeff Fernandez on drums. Whether packing the dance floor with a crowd pleasing cover song, drawing from their vast repertoire of original material or just jamming these seasoned pros can and have laid it down with the best of them!. Some of the many awards they've won include the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association blues challenge in 1999 and 2011, the Mid North Michigan blues challenge in 2004, the West Michigan blues Challenge in 2007, and the Detroit Blues Society Blues Challenge in 2009. They were nominated for the WYCE Jammie Award in 2005 and 2009. They have shared the stage with many notable artists including Little Charlie and the Night Cats, Lonnie Brooks and Tab Benoit. |
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AEDAN MCCAULEY & DONOVAN MEEUSEN
Aedan McCauley, piano Donovan Meeusen, bass Aedan McCauley is a jazz pianist from Montague, MI. He is classically trained and only began his jazz studies in 2018. He is currently studying choral music education at Western Michigan University. He focuses his instrumental studies on jazz piano. Donovan Meeusen is a bassist from Holland, MI. After 5 years of classical training he was introduced to jazz and has been pursuing a career in jazz since. He is currently attending Western Michigan University, studying jazz performance. Aedan and Donovan have been playing together regularly since the fall of 2021. They both study under the same professors and perform and rehearse consistently throughout the school year. Their repertoire mainly consists of jazz standards but they both work to learn new and unique jazz tunes. |
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THE FERAL CATS
Feral Cats are coming to a place near you! Yes, we’ve been out in the shadows collecting a nice mix of early rock and blues. From Jimmy Reed to Elvis and much, much, more we want to bring our own picks and licks to you. Monte Klein and Phil Coryell teamed up a couple of years ago with a shared love of harmonicas and the music produced by them. Himself an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, and harmonica player, Monte possesses a special sensitivity to wring out some of the best licks from Phil “harmonicas” in any given tune. If he’s not out howling at the moon Monte plays with “Bo White and the Bluezers” from Grand Rapids, and locally with “A Shore Thing”. Phil“harmonicas” Coryell also gets funky with “Lou Thunder Band” from the “left-coast” and in Benzie County with the indie-blues group “Barefoot”. The addition of the extraordinary styling of bassist Dave “the Professor” Grimes rounds out these cats as they “bring it” to you. Dave prefers building the bass as opposed to playing out so we’re lucky to be able to “un-domesticate” him for a while. Come and see for yourself, why these are the Feral Cats! |