Saturday, August 19th
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde - 12:30 p.m.
Terry Lower and the Jazz Expedition Sextet - 2:00 p.m.
Ed Stone and the Flowmasters - 3:30 p.m.
Tumbao Bravo - 5:00 p.m.
Bryan Lubeck - 6:30 p.m.
Richard Elliot - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 20th
Blushing Monk - 1:00 p.m.
The Isaac Norris Project - 2:30 p.m.
Organissimo - 4:00 p.m.
Four80East - 5:30 p.m.
Nate Harasim & NILS featuring Brandon Willis - 7:00 p.m.
/GRandJazzFest
/GRandJazzFest
Taking the stage downtown on August 19th and 20th, eleven different jazz acts will be showcased during the sixth annual GRandJazzFest. In addition to the live music, attendees can meet the artists, purchase their albums, and visit the Family Guitar tent, where guests can check out different types of guitars and enter to win a free guitar.
On Saturday, the lineup features the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde at 12:30 p.m., Terry Lower and the Jazz Expedition Sextet at 2:00 p.m., Ed Stone and the Flowmasters at 3:30 p.m., Tumbao Bravo at 5:00 p.m., Bryan Lubeck at 6:30 p.m., and Richard Elliot headlining at 8:00 p.m. Sunday’s schedule will also include Blushing Monk at 1:00 p.m., The Isaac Norris Project at 2:30 p.m., Organissimo at 4:00 p.m., Four80East at 5:30 p.m., and Nate Harasim & NILS featuring Brandon Willis at 7:00 p.m.
For those wanting to continue the party, all are welcomed to join the GRandJazzFest After Party at The B.O.B once all of Saturday’s festivities are finished. By wearing the 2017 GRandJazzFest T-shirt or showing the event program, everyone can attend the After Party with no cover charge. Throughout the evening, there will be special meal deals, a jazz jam session, featuring the Steve Hilger band, and a chance to win a dining tour of the Gilmore Collection Restaurants at 11:00 p.m. Although entering the drawing is free, you may only enter once and must be present to claim this $400-valued prize.
While there are several opportunities to enjoy listening to jazz, there are also numerous ways to support local businesses and visit various downtown museums and attractions during the set breaks. Audrey Sundstrom, President of GR and Jazz and Founder and Chair of the GRandJazzFest, adds that the set breaks are a great way to “meet new people and establish new friendships” as this free festival “brings people of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic levels together to experience an American-born art form, Jazz, and to interact and establish new relationships.”
Because GRandJazz is a volunteer-run non-profit that is dedicated to providing a diverse range of music and supporting the City of Grand Rapids, there will be a variety of jazz styles for all to experience and is the “perfect opportunity for jazz newcomers, enthusiastics, and experts,” Sundstorm says.
Every year since its first festival in 2012, GR and Jazz has made it their goal to increase community engagement through the art of jazz as well as create a deeper appreciation for jazz music by bringing an assortment of talented artists to the stage so that everyone can attend a fun weekend packed full of entertaining performances and activities.
As West Michigan’s only free, weekend long jazz festival sets up at Rosa Parks Circle, come explore everything that downtown Grand Rapids has to offer by attending the sixth annual GRandJazzFest on August 19th and 20th. For more information, visit grandjazzfest.org.
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