New York

As some of you may already know, the trip was cancelled. The flight was originally cancelled, but there was an opportunity to charter buses to leave the night of the 25th. The drive was deemed unsafe, but it was learned too late the next morning that the flight had been reinstated. The good news: Manhattan Concert Productions has invited the band back next year, and most of the money will come right back! With two weeks remaining until the band goes to Western Michigan to perform at a jazz festival, and another festival at Michigan State on April 18, things are going to get pretty crazy for the BRJO!

Weather

The weather in Queens doesn't seem to be cooperating... We'll see how this one turns out! The picture has the little orange dot as LaGuardia airport.

Tomorrow

The band is leaving for New York tomorrow morning early! Catching a flight to Milwaukee before the transfer to LaGuardia, arriving later that evening. Going to have a long weekend ending with a cruise Sunday night. The members of the band will finish off the week after the trip with MSBOA District Festival.

Central Michigan and Beyond

The BRJO is back from two long days of work! At the CMU Jazz Festival, they placed second in their division, with bassist Josiah Panning taking home a Best Soloist award. Everyone was tired after getting home at 12:45 Saturday morning, but they still had one more thing to do. Hope College Band Day was also on Saturday, and since every member is in another band, they went and did clinics along with a few performances. The next few weeks get hectic as the concert bands have a concert on the 24th, the Jazz Band leaves for New York on the 26, come back, and then have MSBOA District Festival, and then two more jazz festivals, one at Western Michigan University in March, and one at Michigan State. Very hectic but it should be a lot of fun!

Well, the BRJO is well on their way to Central Michigan University for their debut on the 2010 jazz festival scene. Going to be a long day!

Tonight's Concert

The recent heavy snowfall hasn't kept us from keeping our concert in the schedule! You can still see the Black River Jazz Orchestra perform pieces they will be playing in less than a month in New York City! Also performing will be a group from Western Michigan University, their Jazztet. Tickets at the door will be sold for $10 and there will be refreshments available. Engedi church is located on 710 Chicago Drive. See you there!

Engedi Concert

On Wednesday, February 10th, Engedi Church on 710 Chicago Drive will be hosting the Black River Jazz Orchestra's New York City Showcase, with a guest group from Western Michigan University as well. Be there at 7:00 to get your fill of Jazz! The money from tickets sold will go directly towards the BRJO's New York trip. Tickets are being sold now! call (616) 355-0055 for advance ordering information. If you wait to get your tickets, the price will go up from $7 to $10. The cutoff for advance tickets is the day of the concert. There will be refreshments available there as well.

Photos

Tim Froncek

Yesterday, drummer Tim Froncek came and spent over an hour working with the band on their technique. He is the most respected drummer that resides in Michigan. He has performed with Woody Herman, Ray Brown, Randy Brecker, Christian McBride, Oliver Jones, Bud Shank, Bill Watrous, and many others. Voted 2004’s “Jazz Musician of the Year” by the West Michigan Jazz Society, he can be seen performing on the drums, directing big bands, giving clinics and lectures on jazz, and judging the many jazz festivals in the mid-west. We were honored to have such a presence in Black River, teaching the band the ins and outs of styling.

Thanks Tim!

Upcoming Events-Feb. 2010

February is almost here, and it's going to be a busy month for the Black River Jazz Orchestra!

Accredited musicians Tim Froncek, Chris Lawrence, and Shannon Brunink will be working with different sections of the band, along with the help of director Jon Montgomery.

-On February 10th, there will be a concert at Engedi Church on Chicago Drive featuring the Western Michigan University Jazztet. The BRJO will be performing pieces they will play during their trip to New York City for The New York Jazz Festival from February 26-March 1. Tickets for the concert at Engedi are $7 before the concert and $10 at the door.

-On Friday, February 12th, the BRJO will be traveling to Central Michigan University to participate in the jazz festival there.

-The band will be leaving the morning of February 26 to arrive in New York later that day.

The BRJO is swinging hard at 7am!

This is our rhythm section:
Duncan, Joey, Eve, Josiah and Noel. Jazz is alive and well at Black River!