Dudok string quartet dazzles and delights

The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam graced the stage at Hope College's Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts last evening.

Celebrating Miles Davis at 100

The Lakeshore Jazz Connection presented "Celebrating Miles Davis at 100" -- featuring Kenny Cooper on trumpet, Jim Cooper on vibraphone, Denis Sheboukhov on bass, and Danny Raymond on drums -- yesterday afternoon at the Ox-Bow House.

Favorite Music of 2025

Favorite Album of the Year:

Brandee Younger - Gadabout Season 

Favorite Concept Album of the Year:

Derek Webb - Survival Songs 

Favorite Songs of the Year: 

May Erlewine - Animal 

Patty Griffin - A Word

Lucía - Lacy 

Derek Webb - I've Been There Too, It Won't Be This Way Forever 

Favorite Concert of the Year:

Pokey LaFarge - Sept. 25, Park Theatre, Holland, Mich.

Favorite Live Experience of the Year:

Artemis (pictured above) - May 11, Garcia's Chicago, Chicago, Ill.

BPM @ SPBH

I enjoyed the vibe and tunes provided by BPM Jazz last night at Sandy Point Beach House.

Home for the Holidays with the Holland Symphony

The Holland Symphony Orchestra presented their "Home for the Holidays" program -- featuring guest vocalists Steve and Allison Martin, as well as the Deos Contemporary Ballet -- at the West Ottawa Performing Arts Center last night.

Fifteen Times with Over the Rhine

Last night, I experienced Over the Rhine in concert for the 15th time; this one for "An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine" at The Ark.

Celebrating the Season with Winter Jazz

The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra brought holiday cheer to the Park Theatre last night as a part of the inaugural Dutch Winterfest seasonal celebration.

A Magical Time at Motown

Last weekend, I finally made it to the Motown Museum in Detroit. As a part of the tour, we got to sing and dance to "My Girl," one of the many hits recorded in the legendary Studio A, in the historic studio itself.

'Tis the Season to Swing

The Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center Orchestra masterfully presented their "'Tis the Season to Swing" program yesterday afternoon at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.

Detriot Jazz at the Dirty Dog

I was pleased to experience the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation Presents DETROIT JAZZ MASTERS – Holiday Edition last night at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, featuring Dwight Adams, Cliff Monear, David Taylor, Jeff Pedraz, and Chris Collins.

Swingin' with Stanco

Last night, I enjoyed a terrific set by the Anthony Stanco Quartet at Cliff Bell's jazz club.

Sold-out Solo Show at St. Cecilia

I witnessed singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun's sold-out solo show last night at St. Cecilia Music Center.  I also enjoyed opener Bartees Strange's solo set.

Sebastian stars with students

The Hope College jazz ensembles presented "An Evening of Jazz" tonight at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, featuring guest artist Ricky Sebastian on drums.

Classically Beautiful

Last night, I enjoyed a beautiful chamber music performance by the two-time Grammy-nominated Neave Trio at Hope College's Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts.

Michigan rock royalty returns

The Verve Pipe returned to the Park Theatre last night.

From Japan With Love

Last night, I enjoyed beautiful compositions by Hiroya Tsukamoto, a two-time second-place winner of the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

Stellar Sax Sounds

I experienced stellar jazz by the Miguel Zenon Quartet at Hope College's Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts last night.  The frontman – a Grammy winner, Doris Duke Artist and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow – lended plenty of Puerto Rican flavor and flair to the set.

Zreik treats festival fans to kanun compositions

Grammy-Award-winning artist/composer/lyricist/educator Firas Zreik played his kanun -- a Middle Eastern zither-like string instrument -- beautifully at the International Festival of Holland last night.

LaFarge in Full Effect

Singer/songwriter Pokey LaFarge was in full effect last night at the Park Theatre, along with his myriad influences -- hot swing, early jazz, ragtime blues, Americana, country blues, Western swing, Vaudeville, and Appalachian folk -- and impressive band.

Rockin' to the Oldies

Last night, I saw one of my all-time favorite musical acts, Over the Rhine, at Calvin University. The show marked my 14th live experience with the band.  They focused on material from their earliest albums, with help from members of The Newbees, as a six-piece rock outfit.

MexiCuba moved concert goers to their feet

MexiCuba brought their Latin moves and grooves to the Tulip City Walls Mural Festival this evening.

The Crane Wives' indie rock soared at the Gardens

I experienced indie rock band The Crane Wives' sold-out show at Frederik Meijer Gardens last night.

An Evening of Ladies, Love, and Lady Love

Last night, I was treated to an evening of Americana, folk, pop, punk and rock at Frederik Meijer Gardens, courtesy of The Accidentals, as well as special guests Emma Zinck, Patty PerShayla, The Burney Sisters, and Roxi Jane.