The 2019 Baldwin Summer Concert series runs from June 19 to August 31, 2019 - every Wednesday and Saturday evening from 7-9:15 p.m., rain or shine.  Come out and support live music at Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin, Michigan.

Wednesday, June 19 - Gospel from the Forest

The Community Gospel Explosion features nationally-recognized musical minister Chris Greer, and a multi-denominational group of singers for  an informal evening of inspirational song and praise.

Saturday, June 22 - Paul Nelson Band

Power house guitarist - 2015 Grammy Winner, Paul was the long-time guitarist for the Johnny Winter Band.  Touring the world for decades, he has played alongside Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Dr. John and many other greats.  A diverse blues-rock fusion based sophisticated journey of boundless energy, displaying ferocious solo sections, yet showing us his control over an emotional side of playing, while holding it all together with a tasteful melodic sense.  Go to his web site here.

Wednesday, June 26 - The Key West Permafrost Blues Band 

"Hot Rod" Harry Dempsey, music professor at Ferris State University and former member of Frank Sinatra Jr's touring big band, leads this eight-piece group that plays "Big Band Blues" from Chicago to Key West Caribbean. To visit their web page, click here.

Saturday, June 29 - Robin Connell/Paul Brewer Quartet

Classic jazz standards and originals, destined to be classics. Favorites by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Rodgers & Hart and The Beatles, Dr. Robin Connell is equally impressive as a pianist and vocalist.  Virtuoso, Dr. Paul Brewer, composer/arranger/vocals is the "first call trombonist," regionally with Zach McKinney, drums and Stanley Ruvinov, bass. To hear Robin, click here. 

Wednesday, July 3 - Chris Bickley Quartet

On saxes and flute, composer/arranger Bickley has performed throughout the world with Herbie Hancock, Kenny Rogers, Woody Herman, John McLaughlin, Tommy Dorsey, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, Gladys Knight and Jack McDuff.  Performing tonight with Ron Getz/guitar, Bruce Dondero/bass and Eddie Eicher/drums.  To go to his web site, click here.

Saturday, July 6 - Organissimo

The award winning, international touring trio "successfully walks the line between complex and accessible, maintaining super-tight grooves throughout," says Keyboard Magazine about Organissimo.  Their last two LPs, one featuring soulful renditions of the Beatles are getting international reviews. Jim Alfredson, Hammond B3 organ, bass, keys and vocals; Larry Barris, guitar, Randy Marsh, drums.  To go to their web page, click here.

Wednesday, July 10 - Harper and Midwest Kind 

Award-winning Australian singer-songwriter "Harper" has a strong resonant voice and a deep almost mystical approach to music.  His World Blues are a rich musical stew of 50s rhythm and blues, a 60s message of love and unity and a 70s funky soul, stirred up with masterful harmonica and the deep, woody, percussive tones of the didgeridoo.  Visit Harper's web site here.

Saturday, July 13 - Double Trouble

Francesca Amari and Mary Rademacher Reed team up with the Mark Kahny Band to unleash their "fearsome diva" cabaret show. Their exciting combination of tight harmony, sassy choreography and audience participation is sure to make for a lively, sing-along evening of entertainment.

Wednesday, July 17 - Big Boss Band  

Winners of the 2014 Lansing Capital Area Blues Society Blues Competition,  the band, whose members are all from West Michigan, perform mostly original roots rock, and blues.  The band is led by Joe Ferguson, blues harp/sax/vocals, Jim Beebe, guitar and William LaValley, bass. In 2015, the group was nominated for a WYCE radio "Jammy" award for best blues album. To hear one of their songs, click here.

Saturday, July 20 - Ultimate Taste Band

(Note:  Due to the illness of a band member, the Carla Cooke band originally scheduled for this date has been replaced by the Ultimate Taste Band.)

In spite of the weather, tonight's concert will be held as usual at Wenger Pavilion.  Since we were unable to perform at the parade, the concert will be extended an extra set and will take place from 7 P.M. until 10:45 P.M. Hope to see you there.

The Ultimate Taste Band is an old school R&B band out of Muskegon. They play a mixture of music from 70s and 80s, funk, classic rock and R&B. 

U.T.B. has shared the stage with of the greats of R&B such as Bobby Rush, John Legend, Shirley King, Bobby Blue Band, Patti LaBelle and Con-Funk-Shun.  They have now recorded their own music, and their first song "Falling In To You" has been released by their record label Bell Time Records.

The band members are Paul Dye on guitar and vocals; Melvin Parker, Bass; Elbert Evans, guitar and vocals; Andre "Dreco" Coleman, drums and vocal; Larry Latin, vocals; Willie Young, keyboard; and Kim Lewis Williams, lead vocals.

Check out their web page here.

Wednesday, July 24 - The Soul Message Band

The band's soulful and infectious style is crafted around funky grooves and is rooted in the tradition of great Hammond B3 organists like Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland and Groove Holmes.  The band is led by Chris Foreman, the Chicago-based and national celebrated Hammond B3 Jazz organist.  He and drummer Greg Rockingham have a well-honed musical chemistry that has taken them from Chicago around the world.  Special guest Michigan native and versatile sax player Chris Bickley. To go to their web page, click here.

Saturday, July 27 - Planet D Nonet

The "D" is for Detroit and this tightly-rehearsed, big band infuses all its music with a bluesy Detroit sound.  The Nonet will rock you with swing music from Ellington & Strayhorn, Count Basie and Benny Carter to more modern charts by Sun Ra and Pharoah Saunders.  Planet D Nonet is all about swing, blues, jazz and classic songs.  You'll be tapping your feet from the first bars and you're guaranteed to go home with a smile on your face.  Sample their great music here.

Wednesday, July 31 - Sunset Groove

Manistee-based performers Tony and Jeri Dziabuda and their long-time musical family from downstate are Sunset Grove,  Their music is an energetic mix of blues, rock and rhythm and blues.

Saturday, August 3 - The Phil DeGreg Quartet with Petra van Nuis

Cincinnati's Phil DeGreg on keyboards has a powerful and spellbinding prowess; Chicago guitarist Andy Brown's style emphasizes tone, touch, taste and a melodic approach.  The band is anchored by veteran international bass virtuoso Paul Keller with Bob Rummage on drums.  For their web page, click here. 

Petra van Nuis is a Chicago-based performer.  Her vocals have a swinging delivery with an emphasis on feeling.  The timeless Great American songbook inspires her creatively.  To go to her web page, click here.

 

 

Wednesday, August 7 - The Greg Nagy Band

From original and traditional blues arrangements to a "down-home" Beatles tribute, Nagy's playing, singing and song writing have been praised from Downbeat Magazine, The Chicago Times and The Living Blues. His last three award-winning solo CDs have consistently climbed and topped the national blues charts. Greg is regarded as a fierce, tasteful, creative guitar/vocalist - go to his web site here.

Saturday, August 10 - Tell Yo Mama

Tell Yo Mama is a Lansing, Michigan based groovy mix of funk, soul, rock and blues.  The group features the head-turning vocals of Lucas Holliday.

To here their music, go to their web page here.

Wednesday, August 14 - Robert Pace "Nature's Brew"

Steeped in funky blues, pop, gospel, R&B and soul. Robert Pace's approach to the music will leave you wanting more.  Bright, brisk, smooth, pungent, mature, always earthy, Robert Pace and the "Brew Crew" will satisfy your full-bodied entertainment palate.  To hear a studio recording, click here.

Saturday, August 17 - James Armstrong

Bluesman James Armstrong "is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, soul singer and songwriter with a skin-tight band and a well-balanced combination of fire, technical proficiency, and taste," Living Blues.  He can shift easily from slow blues to urban funk to N'awlins grooves to rousing roadhouse shuffles," says Jazz Times. To see his web page, click here.

Wednesday, August 21 - Jenna Mammina

A singer with a sultry and seductive voice and a hypnotic delivery, Jenna Mammina's repertoire includes folk, pop, and jazz. A native of SW Michigan, Jenna now calls San Francisco home.  Her new album is getting rave reviews internationally. She is touring the world with New York City guitarist Rolf Sturm and Western Michigan's own Keith Hall on drums.  To visit her web page, click here.

Saturday, August 24 - Cheryl Hodge Group

Critically acclaimed Cheryl Hodge tours the world singing and playing piano from her home base in Washington State.  She has a special brand of west coast jazz, blues and soul.  A graduate of the Berklee School of Music, her career has put her alongside some of the music industry giants including Mike Stern and John Stowell.  Her touring band includes country wide standouts Robby Edwards on sax and Tony Grey on bass.

Wednesday, August 28 - Mustang Band

The Mustang Band combines country, classic rock and strong vocals.  Come on out and see why this band has been a crowd pleaser on the  West Michigan music scene since 1994. 

Saturday, August 31 - The General Assembly Big Band

In keeping with tradition, the Baldwin Summer Concert season comes to an end with the great music of The General Assembly Big Band. This all-star band, led by Tom Sheppardson, was formed in 1971.  Over the years, the personnel has changed, but the band - playing the music of Basie, Ellington, Woody Herman, Glen Miller, and other greats - continues to receive  rave reviews from audiences from Traverse City to San Francisco.  This is not just a big band sound.  It's a full 17-piece orchestra with a female vocalist performing the best of the old and new in music for listening and for dancing. To learn more about the band to to hear some of their music, visit their web site by clicking here.