A Feast for the Eyes, Ears and Heart

On Saturday night, I had the great fortune of witnessing the Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra beautifully interpret and illustrate the music of Over the Rhine -- all while OTR played their songs live on stage at Cincinnati's Music Hall. It was an artistic trifecta unfolding right before our eyes...

Double bassist dazzles for decades

I experienced Ron Carter's Foursight Quartet on Friday night at Birdland Jazz Club. A living legend, Carter is 89 years young.

Stella Cole makes Broadway debut

On Thursday, I enjoyed the Tony-Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending -- featuring jazz vocalist Stella Cole -- at the Belasco Theatre. Photos were not permitted.

Quintet not to Forget

I witnessed Frank Vignola's Guitar Night with Scott Robinson and Pasquale Grasso (at left) at Birdland Theater on Wednesday evening.

Carrying on at Caruso's Cast Party

On Monday night, I experienced Jim Caruso's Cast Party with Billy Stritch at Birdland Jazz Club.

Pianist Sans Photo

On Oct. 24, I witnessed the Fred Hersch Trio + 2 live at the Village Vanguard.  No photos were permitted during the show.

Punk Prodigy Powerhouse

I was thrilled to see punk band The Linda Lindas at The Intersection's Elevation last night.

Keepin' It Klassy

I witnessed the klezmer-rock band Mostly Kosher (and guests) last night at the International Festival of Holland.

An Extended Musical Family Reunion

I spent Labor Day weekend at Nowhere Else Festival, featuring music by Over the Rhine (pictured above), Joshua Thomas, Ben Sollee, Tift Merritt, Vance Gilbert, The Golden Hours, Parker Millsap, The Newbees, Anna Tivel, and Jeffrey Martin, among others.

Feasting in Fennville

Last night, I experienced The Corn Fed Girls' "heartwarming acoustic Americana" at Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater.

MexiCuba a hit with festival goers

Latin band MexiCuba brought the party to the Tulip City Walls Mural Festival last night.

Rockin' with the Reverend

The Reverend Jesse Ray brought his "one man hillbilly rock n roll/blues" to Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater last night.

Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer

Last night, I enjoyed the Paul Keller Quartet's summertime jazz sounds at Kollen Park.

Blast from the Past

I witnessed 80s pop icon Tiffany perform at the Park Theatre last night.

Movin' and Groovin' with Molly

Last night, I enjoyed Molly's self-described "Soul, Indie, Pop, r&b, Funk, VIBES!" at Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater.

Folk finds Fennville

Two duos, Flagship Romance (at right) and The Rough & Tumble (at left), brought their Americana folk sounds to Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater last night.

Michigan supergroup harmonies raise hair, social consciousness

Last night, I witnessed The Rebel Eves' "Powerful Songs; Hair Raising Harmonies" at Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater.

Sweet Summer Swing

I enjoyed Sweet Dee & the Wild Honeys' "Authentic Americana, Country Western, Swing & Jazz through the lens of a Midwestern Girl from the north" last night at Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater.

Twenty Years of SPIN and TELL

Today, I celebrate 20 years of this, my very first blog, where I've posted about concerts, records and musical magic for two decades!  In July 2006, my roommate at the time -- also a writer and music enthusiast -- encouraged me to start a blog, and I'm so glad that I did.  Thank you, Taryn!

Multi-instrumentalists manifest memorable musical moments

Yesterday, I experienced the genre-defying, wildly talented musical duo Handmade Moments in Capizzo Studio's backyard.

Flavor and Flair in Fennville

The Tejano Sound Band brought their flavor and flair to Fennville's City Square Park Amphitheater last night.

Holland residents treated to international tunes

On Sunday, I witnessed the Holland Samba School and the Chelsea House Orchestra perform at the Holland Ice Park.

Brass in the Grass

I loved hearing the Great Lakes Brass band's New-Orleans-inspired jubilation sounds last night at the Red Horse Center.

Bilingual chanteuse delivers commanding jazz set

Yesterday afternoon, I witnessed the marvelous Mexican jazz vocalist Lucía perform at the Blue Llama Jazz Club and Restaurant in Ann Arbor.

Art in Motion

I experienced the sensational sounds of jazz supergroup ARTEMIS last night at Western Michigan University's Dalton Center Recital Hall. The concert was a feature of this year's Gilmore Piano Festival.

Ringing the Opening Bell

Last night, renowned, Grammy-Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell graced the stage at Kalazmazoo's Chenery Auditorium, accompanied by Shai Wosner on piano. The recital was a special pre-festival concert on the eve of this year's Gilmore Piano Festival. No photographs were permitted.

Swingin' at the Park

The Dirk Quinn Band (above) brought their mix of jazz and funk to the Park Theatre last night. I was curious about their sound, but was most excited to hear the opener, Third Coast Swing Band, again.

Let Freedom Swing!

I savored the sounds of the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra at the Park Theatre yesterday afternoon.

A Full Circle Moment

Last night, I greatly enjoyed quality jazz at Noto's Old World Italian Dining from the John Shea Trio, who provided my very first live jazz experience, back in the mid-to-late 90s, at Hope College's Knickerbocker Theatre. I had the opportunity to tell John about the full circle moment and he responded by gifting me an autographed copy of their brand-new vinyl record!

Bringing the Blues to Holland

I experienced the music of award-winning blues artist John Nemeth at the Park Theatre last night and was especially impressed with his young guitarist, Sean McDonald.

Last Night at Lucy's

Last night at Lucy's, I enjoyed the smooth jazz stylings of Jazz 150, featuring Eddy Curtis (right) on flugelhorn, trumpet and vocals.

Legendary jazz quartet celebrates 40 years together

The Branford Marsalis Quartet thrilled a sold-out audience at St. Cecilia Music Center last night.

South Bend saxophonist swings on the lakeshore

Tonight, the Don Lerman Quintet brought "West Coast Jazz: Into the Cool" to the OxBow House, featuring Jim Cooper on vibraphone, Rob Hartman on bass, Fred Knapp on drums, and Jason Werkema on guitar.

Acclaimed international act Ladysmith Black Mambazo entertained, educated

Grammy-Award-winning South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo brought their signature storytelling style to Hope College's Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts last night.

Bagpipes and Accordians and Whistles! Oh, my!

Last night, the Scottish folk/pop/rock band Skerryvore entertained folks at the Holland Civic Center.

Winning at Winter's

I greatly enjoyed Abigail Riccards & Friends' terrific set at Winter's Jazz Club on Wednesday night.

Blues at Buddy's

Last night, blues guitarist Carlos Showers played a solo set at Buddy Guy's Legends club.

Jazzin' Up a Tuesday Night

Chicago-style early swing/trad jazz band Petra's Recession Seven celebrated Fat Tuesday last night at the historic Jazz Showcase.

Swingin' in Chi-Town

Last night, guitarist Joel Paterson and friends filled the house with jazz, blues, and western swing at the legendary Green Mill Jazz Club.

History and Song

The jazz/pop duo Edye and Mike Hyde shared their takes on the Great American Songbook yesterday afternoon at the Saugatuck Douglas History Center.

Art brings us together

Last night, I saw my first concert in a planetarium! Electro-synth pop duo How to Live Together played live in the Grand Rapids Public Museum's Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, while Kristin Zuller's visual art filled the "sky" above us.

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.