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LaFontsee Galleries hosts BIG NAME Jazz Musicians in GR Gallery
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It’s called the “Underground Concert Series”, and it brings big names in jazz to GR. This season we’re even flying in a musician from Europe for one of the concerts. Most of the musicians drive in from Chicago. Below is text about the first concert of the season on Sept 20th. This year’s season will run Sept - April. Below, bolded text outlines this year’s season as a whole. Please let me know, of course I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the series or musicians, or music. Thanks for your help!
Image kit | https://www.dropbox.com/sh/geyw49uapyszb76/AACcbB0icnpah6gFirPqNlh5a?dl=0
Official Listing Text |
“The Underground Concert Series” debuts for its second season on September 20th, 3pm at LaFontsee Galleries Grand Rapids location. The gallery, in conjunction with AdventureMusic.org and The Goethe Institute, invite you to enjoy an afternoon of exceptional Live Jazz featuring international ensemble: Steve Swell on trombone, Gebhard Ullmann on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello, and percussionist Michael Zerang. For more information contact the gallery at 616-451-9820, or visit their website at www.lafontsee.us. LaFontsee Galleries is located at 833 Lake Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI. Tickets are available at www.adventuremusic.org
Official Press Release |
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH AT 3 PM, GEBHARD ULLMANN AND STEVE SWELL PRESENT THE CHICAGO PROJECT AT LAFONTSEE GALLERIES, GRAND RAPIDS. “Gebhard Ullmann is one of the finest improvising artists in the world today,” (Paul Bley)
In collaboration with LaFontsee Galleries and Blue Lake Public Radio’s Lazaro Vega, Adventuremusic.org presents the second season of experiential concerts, The Underground Series, with a new international improvising ensemble co-led by saxophonist/bass clarinetist Gebhard Ullmann and trombonist Steve Swell: The Chicago Project, featuring Chicagoans cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and drummer/percussionist Michael Zerang.
As part of a 6 concert tour the Chicago Project’s performance in Grand Rapids offers a glimpse into the evolution of an improvising ensemble, a nightly experience of musical growth and possibility.
“Gebhard Ullmann is one of the finest improvising artists in the world today,” said pianist Paul Bley of the Berlin-based tenor saxophonist/bass clarinetist with 50 recordings released under his own name. Steve Swell has a foundation in the teachings of veteran trombonist Roswell Rudd and blossomed from there into a socially conscious, virtuosic trombonist and visionary bandleader (hear his ensemble “Slamming the Infinite”).
Together Ullmann and Swell developed a musical simpatico leading to more unique concert experiences than are generally fielded outside of major cities (Berlin, New York and Chicago, in this instance). They put Grand Rapids on their tour route in 2004, leading a quartet including jazz giant Barry Altschul, drums, and Hilliard Green, bass; returning in 2007 and 2008, then Ullmann’s Clarinet Trio performed in West Michigan in 2010. Each memorable concert in that history was improvised and will never be heard again. Experiencing this music live is unlike anything you’ve ever heard in your life.
Adventuremusic.org continues to present music at the highest level of creativity in the intimate, listener friendly concert environment of LaFontsee Galleries at 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Here’s hoping you’ll tell your friends about the explorations in sound occurring Sunday afternoons in Grand Rapids. This year’s series will include performances by Adam Rudolph, Hamid Drake, the Gary McCourry Saxophone Ensemble, the Matt Ulery large chamber jazz ensemble In the Ivory, and more.
This [only the Sept 20th concert] concert is made possible in part by The Goethe Institute.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $10 for students with a student I.D. and $25 at the door. Kids ages 12 and under are free. Advance tickets available only from www.adventuremusic.org. Please use the site to inquire about how you can ensure the future of this series through a larger financial commitment. The phone number at LaFontsee Galleries is (616) 451 – 9820. LaFontsee Galleries is wheelchair accessible.
To find LaFontsee Galleries please see, www.lafontsee.us.
Additional Jazz Concert Text |
By popular demand, LaFontsee Galleries is kicking off the second season of “The Underground Concert Series” Sunday, September 20th @ 3pm. This series brings world class jazz musicians together from all over the country, and this season some from further away. Well known jazz artists such as Adam Rudolph, Hamid Drake, the Gary McCourry Saxophone Ensemble and the Matt Ullery large chamber jazz ensemble are highlights of the 2015 series which runs September through April. “Bringing art and improvisational jazz together at the same place and time produces a whole that’s larger than the sum of its parts” explains gallery owner Scott LaFontsee, “We’re glad to participate and bring cutting edge Jazz to West Michigan.”
The opening concert will be an international ensemble featuring: Gebhard Ullmann on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Steve Swell on trombone, Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello, and percussionist Michael Zerang
This jazz series is the result of collaboration between LaFontsee Galleries, AdventureMusic.org and Jazz Director at Blue Lake Public Radio, Lazaro Vega.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $10 for students with a student I.D., and $25 at the door. Kids ages 12 and under are free. Advance tickets available only from www.adventuremusic.org.
Sincerely,
Megan Dupuy
[email protected]
616-451-9820
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