UpBeat Cadillac

UpBeat Cadillac

Jazz concerts at the Rotary Pavilion

Jazz Music for 2009

June 25

Rick Hicks Band He is Michigan’s answer to BB King.  Wes Montgomery and Albert King…this warm, versatile guitar/vocalist guides you and the band through a lighthearted evening of blues, funk, soul, jazz, Motown and R&B.

July 2

Root Doctor plays a diverse mix of classic soul, traditional blues, R&B and inspired original material.  RD’s latest CD “Change Our Ways” was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Soul/Blues Album of the Year in 2007;  a sweet churchy sound.

July 9

NY City All Star Jazz Quartet w/Jerry Weldon, John Hart, Bill Hyde, Rudy Petshaurer   When it comes to tenor saxophone, Jerry Weldon has one of the biggest, warmest sounds ever.  Jerry has toured the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia and South American, w/Lionel Hampton, Harry Connic Jr., Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff.  Hart is a distinctive modern mainstream guitarist recorded on Blue Note and Concord.  They have worked w/McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson and James Moody.

July 16

Petra van Nuis w/The Andy Brown Quartet are a featured act in Chicago.  A straight forward, swinging delivery w/emphasis on feeling, her simple warm intimate sound has just a touch of breathiness.  Petra is a true romantic and the timeless Great American Songbook inspires her creatively.  She enjoys unearthing obscure songs and her extensive repertoire is unique.  Her warm sincerity is felt by audiences.  Wherever she sings, Petra connects with people.  Leading the all star band, Andy Brown, Chicago, a much sought after guitarist/accompanist/leader takes great pleasure in ongoing collaborations with his wife Petra.  His style emphasizes tone, touch and taste combined with a melodic approach, his unique guitar voice is spellbinding. 

July 23

Tom Hagen/ Cherie Lynn Trio w/Rick Reuther are three warm, gifted, unpretentious, multi -instrumental swingsters.  The love for their job is evident as they perform with an enthusiasm that is contagious and fun, engaging all audiences to interact to show-tunes, pop, jazz standards even country medleys.  Reuther has a clear baritone w/intelligible lyric.  Tender ballads to swinging grooves, he is a singer in command of his craft.

 July 30

Mary Rademacher w/The Mark Kahny Band - “Rad Hot” A real fire-cracker!  With exuberance that ignites crowds.  She has spunk, charm and a voice that stirs hearts.  Sensational… as is the tasteful band under the expert musical direction and bluesy artistry of multi-talented Kahny – keys/vocals

August 6

The Legendary Alberta Adams & Cee Cee Collins w/RJ’s Rhythm Rockers; she is the “Queen of Detroit Blues” and “blues Diva” of Detroit, sing urban soul, Motown, down home blues and jazz.  Icons RJ Spangler/drums, Paul Carey guitar/ and Phil Hale, keys/bass.

August 13

Organissimo w/Freddie Cunningham; their sound is evolving incorporating elements of funk, gospel, blues, rock and fusion into a solid foundation of jazz.  Cunningham the dynamic and powerful voice of Root Doctor has been knocking the socks off audiences since the age of five when he featured as a soloist in church.

August 20

Nicole Pasternak w Ralph Lalama & the Steve Sandner Band;   this versatile, powerful NYC vocalist is appreciated for her sense of lyric, delivery, phrasing and rhythm.  She has been a favorite at NY City’s Birdland and with the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Joe Lovano Nonet with Ralph Lalama.  Influenced by singers Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, She favors the Great American songs, Brazilian/ Latin rhythms and includes her original songs.  Through her husband, master tenor saxophonist Llama, their appearances together are effectively spiced with arrangements for sax and voice.  World traveled Llama and Sandner, keys/vocals and band, “find the groove” in a jazzy, bluesy, melodic and down-to-earth harmonic style, reaching far beyond a strictly jazz audience.

August 27

New York City Teachers Jazz Band Featuring Side-Order and Sax Appeal;  The NYC Teachers Jazz Band is made up of professional musicians who also teach in the New York City Schools plus West Michigan’s busiest music educator, Tim Froncek.  Collectively they hold a wide range of recording and performing credentials from throughout the USA, Europe, Africa and Asia.  They play rich and timeless music from classic to smooth jazz delicious funk and standards.  You will be entertained by a 7 piece group “Side-Order and a sax quartet.