Jazz Club

Rob's group is influenced by many styles of music from traditional jazz to free jazz,  from popular music to classical music.  What makes this band different is how it ties all of these influences into a traditional jazz quartet.  The band prides itself on playing as a unit in the spirit of true improvisation. Featuring Rob Denty on saxophone, Cliff Schmitt on bass, Tim Mulvenna on drums and Tom Vaitsas on piano.  Visit Rob's website at www.robdenty.com

Alison Ruble is a dynamic performer. She has established a reputation in jazz circles as a versatile singer with a warm, engaging sound and a respected bandleader with acclaimed groups. Her style and repertoire give a generous nod to the classic jazz standards, but also incorporate more modern strains, producing a poignant blend of music that is at once familiar and surprising. Chicago is currently home base, where she appears regularly at The Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, Pops For Champagne, Katerina's, Pete Miller's and Andy's Jazz Club. Ruble's debut release, This Is A Bird (Origin Records), expands her work to a broader national and international audience. The project brings together some of the Chicago music scene's most forward thinking players for a set of re-envisioned jazz standards.

Herb's group is the Trio's house band and features some of the best jazz artists in the midwest with Roger Harris (Chicago) on piano, Lannie Turner (Gary) on drums, Rich Cohen (Indianapolis) on saxophone, Herb (South Bend) on acoustic bass and Janet Hines Norris (South Bend) on vocals. This is a group with incredible talent, energy and style that performs a mix of traditional, smooth and soulful jazz.  

After studying composing/arranging and performing at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Terry returned to Michigan and has been fortunate to have performed and/or recorded both here and abroad with many great musicians including Benny Golson, Frank Morgan, David “Fathead” Newman, Larry Nozero, Bobby Shew, Hendrik Meurkins, Bobby Watson and Kevin Mahogany. Terry has has performed at many well known festivals including the world renowned Detroit/Montreux International Jazz Festival. Also a prolific writer, many of Terry’s original compositions have been published and recorded on several albums including Terry’s own CD “Step By Step” (2005) and his brand new 2-CD Set "4 Trios"- vol.1 & vol.2 (released November, 2009). In 2006 his sextet captivated the audience during their debut performance at the renowned “Detroit International Jazz Festival” and has "dazzled" those who've heard them during their 2006 through 2009 performances at the "Michigan Jazz Festival."  Performing with Terry will be larry Ochiltree on drums and Tom Lockwood on bass.

Featuring Rich Cohen on saxophone with Jim Steele on piano, Darrel Tideback on acoustic bass and Russ Hunt on drums

Chicago sax man Maxwell is a tasty player with a great sense of jazz running through his work.  He shines brightly with sets of music that let him shine. Check him out. With Shawn Maxwell on saxophone, Matt Nelson on piano, Graham Czach on bass and Brad Dickert on drums.  Visit their website at shawnmaxwell.com.

Jazz Guitarist (and Mishawaka native) Frank Portolese has been active in the Chicago area as a performer and teacher for over 25 years. He has performed in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Detroit, Florida, Hawaii, the UK, Paris, Switzerland and elsewhere.  His performing credits include Eddie Harris, Les McCann, David Baker, Shelley Manne, Jamey Aebersold, Ira Sullivan, Catherine Russell, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Bobby Shew and many others. His pop performing credits range from Sammy Davis, Jr. to Clay Aiken. In performance Frank is currently focusing on his trio which features Brian Sandstrom (bass) and Rusty Jones (drums) and on presenting and recording arrangements and improvisations on solo jazz guitar.

Herb's group is the Trio's house band and features some of the best jazz artists in the midwest with Roger Harris (Chicago) on piano, Lannie Turner (Gary) on drums, Rich Cohen (Indianapolis) on saxophone, Herb (South Bend) on acoustic bass and Janet Hines Norris (South Bend) on vocals. This is a group with incredible talent, energy and style that performs a mix of traditional, smooth and soulful jazz.  

Organissimo's goal is to extend the tradition of the classic organ-led combos of the 1960s into the modern age. Buildling upon the foundation laid by past masters, but incorporating modern elements, organissimo focuses on cultivating a true group sound. With Jim Alfredson on hammond B3; Joe Gloss on guitar; and Randy Marsh on drums.

This Kalamazoo-based quintet plays hard bop with comfortable authority and with a sound that echoes the classic sound of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Evidence provides a great example of how much great jazz is being made by groups in the midwest. With Michael Doyle on saxophone, Keaton Atkins on trumpet and flugelhorn, Steve Talaga on piano, Tom Lockwood on acoustic bass and Fred Knapp on drums.