Concerts in the Park: Otsego Jazz Ensemble
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Who we are: The Otsego Jazz Ensemble is a 17-piece big band composed of jazz and big band musicians from across southwest Michigan. Along with regular subs who rehearse and perform with us, we provide opportunities for about 25 southwest Michigan jazz musicians to stay in the groove. OJE has also hosted several note-worthy guest artists, including Edye Evans-Hyde, Wayne Powers, Derek Brown, Early Braggs, Lana Hoffman, Jim Hayward and Robin Connell. The one thing we all share is our love for and commitment to playing jazz and big band music, from ballads to swing to samba ... and beyond. The OJE is led by Tim Culver, trumpeter and saxophonist who has co-led the Kalamazoo Big Band for nearly 40 years, and plays in the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra and the Lew Boyd Band. Culver joined the OJE trumpet section about 20 years ago.
What we play: Our book contains classic big band charts, with tunes and arrangements from Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sammy Nestico, and Glenn Miller and recent arrangements by Gordon Goodwin, Bob Curnow, Bob Florence, and Bob Mintzer. And we love to pull out jazzy Christmas arrangements during the holiday season.
Where we came from: The OJE began in 1986, when several friends and friends of friends began reading big band charts together on Thursday nights. As legend has it, it was "better than bowling!" We are a farmer and a microbiologist. We have business owners and band directors, college students and jazz music instructors. Some of us played in high school, some played in college, some in the military, and a few of us were lucky to make music our career. Several current members played with southwest Michigan big bands, such as the Kalamazoo Big Band, and the Bobby Davidson Orchestra, before coming to the OJE. A handful of our players share their talents with other bands in the area, including the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra, the Lew Boyd Band, and the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band.
Where we play: It wasn't long after we started rehearsing, first in the Otsego Middle School band room, and later at the Otsego Elks Lodge, that we began receiving requests to perform. At first, we played for high school band fund-raisers, and local community summer music concerts. We played the Goose Festival in Fennville. There was the Kalamazoo Wine and Harvest Festival, and the Paw Paw Blues Festival. Then, there were wedding receptions, Christmas and New Year parties, and at least one Bar Mitzvah! We played Western Michigan University's Senior Prom for many years, a great event that brought college students and senior citizens together for an annual swing dance. But, probably our favorite performances have been at jazz and big band music festivals, including the Thornapple Jazz Festival, the WMU Big Band Jazz Fest and the South Haven Jazz Festival!
List of musicians:
Dale Jansen – Lead Trumpet
Tim Culver – Trumpet
Dave Wells- Trumpet
Jesse Barber-Trumpet
Bob Simonds - Trumpet
Tom Polett- Lead Trombone
Jim Gysel- Trombone
Harry Boesch - Trombone
Brian Nichols - Bass Trombone
Gary McCourry – Lead Alto Sax
David Hubbard – Alto Sax
Scott Robbins – Lead Tenor Sax
Dale Gregg – Tenor Sax
Gail Perkins – Baritone Sax
Dave Forsman - Piano
Bob Murray - Bass
Jeff Bourdo - Drums
Lana Hoffman- Vocal
Bronson Park
200 S Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Concerts in the Park is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, with support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and the City of Kalamazoo. It is one of Kalamazoo’s long-standing traditions, typically held on Sunday afternoons in June, July, and August at Bronson Park, delivering a unique experience unlike any other. Each concert is free and family-friendly. Bring chairs or blankets for your comfort!
There is no rain site for Concerts in the Park. If inclement weather is expected, the concert may be canceled by 2 pm on that same day.
On-street parking is available all around the perimeter of the park at any meter.
Additional parking is nearby at the South Street Parking Garage. First 90 minutes are free.
Sponsors:
Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
WMUK 102.1
Encore
Kzoo Parks
Michigan Arts and Culture Council
What we play: Our book contains classic big band charts, with tunes and arrangements from Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sammy Nestico, and Glenn Miller and recent arrangements by Gordon Goodwin, Bob Curnow, Bob Florence, and Bob Mintzer. And we love to pull out jazzy Christmas arrangements during the holiday season.
Where we came from: The OJE began in 1986, when several friends and friends of friends began reading big band charts together on Thursday nights. As legend has it, it was "better than bowling!" We are a farmer and a microbiologist. We have business owners and band directors, college students and jazz music instructors. Some of us played in high school, some played in college, some in the military, and a few of us were lucky to make music our career. Several current members played with southwest Michigan big bands, such as the Kalamazoo Big Band, and the Bobby Davidson Orchestra, before coming to the OJE. A handful of our players share their talents with other bands in the area, including the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra, the Lew Boyd Band, and the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band.
Where we play: It wasn't long after we started rehearsing, first in the Otsego Middle School band room, and later at the Otsego Elks Lodge, that we began receiving requests to perform. At first, we played for high school band fund-raisers, and local community summer music concerts. We played the Goose Festival in Fennville. There was the Kalamazoo Wine and Harvest Festival, and the Paw Paw Blues Festival. Then, there were wedding receptions, Christmas and New Year parties, and at least one Bar Mitzvah! We played Western Michigan University's Senior Prom for many years, a great event that brought college students and senior citizens together for an annual swing dance. But, probably our favorite performances have been at jazz and big band music festivals, including the Thornapple Jazz Festival, the WMU Big Band Jazz Fest and the South Haven Jazz Festival!
List of musicians:
Dale Jansen – Lead Trumpet
Tim Culver – Trumpet
Dave Wells- Trumpet
Jesse Barber-Trumpet
Bob Simonds - Trumpet
Tom Polett- Lead Trombone
Jim Gysel- Trombone
Harry Boesch - Trombone
Brian Nichols - Bass Trombone
Gary McCourry – Lead Alto Sax
David Hubbard – Alto Sax
Scott Robbins – Lead Tenor Sax
Dale Gregg – Tenor Sax
Gail Perkins – Baritone Sax
Dave Forsman - Piano
Bob Murray - Bass
Jeff Bourdo - Drums
Lana Hoffman- Vocal
Bronson Park
200 S Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Concerts in the Park is a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, with support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and the City of Kalamazoo. It is one of Kalamazoo’s long-standing traditions, typically held on Sunday afternoons in June, July, and August at Bronson Park, delivering a unique experience unlike any other. Each concert is free and family-friendly. Bring chairs or blankets for your comfort!
There is no rain site for Concerts in the Park. If inclement weather is expected, the concert may be canceled by 2 pm on that same day.
On-street parking is available all around the perimeter of the park at any meter.
Additional parking is nearby at the South Street Parking Garage. First 90 minutes are free.
Sponsors:
Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
WMUK 102.1
Encore
Kzoo Parks
Michigan Arts and Culture Council
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Where is it happening?
Bronson Park, 304 W South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherArts Council of Greater Kalamazoo
