Michigan Jazz ScheduleFestival

Leven Open Air Stage, The Big Tent

Noon Bill Meyer’s SONEO

1:30 p.m. Sky Covington Featuring Club Crescendo

3 p.m. Aguanko

4 p.m. Kimmie Horne & Friends

6 p.m. Dave Bennett Quartet

7 p.m. Zen Zadravec

Bill Bolle Presentation Stage, Kehrl Auditorium

12:30 p.m. Terry Lower Trio with Edye Evans Hyde

2 p.m. Charles Greene Trio

3:30 p.m. Jonathan Blanchette’s Time-Jump

5 p.m. Ramona Collins

6:30 p.m. Signal Quartet

8 p.m. Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet, with Elden Kelly

By Kevin Brown

the performer's own musical ideas," said Craig Strain, MJF board president and music educator.

Sally Pinchock is on the MJF board and marketing committee. “We pay over 180 musicians to play, all from public donations," she said. The board acts as a 501 C-3 nonprofit to raise money to provide the free annual festival.

In a modification of the performer selection process, this year applicants were asked to submit a video of their group. The selection committee picked performers on criteria including talent, diversity, youth and the applicant's past performances at MJF. This season, more than 150 applications applied for 35 spots.

“This year our performers will include 19 acts that have not performed on our stages previously, with more youth, more diversity and a wider geographic footprint,” Strain said.

In addition to the six festival stages, there are two education clinics where students work with professional jazz musicians.

The festival is operated by the all-volunteer board of directors. It was created in 1991 to promote Michigan jazz musicians. The first festival was presented at Freedom Hill. In 1996 it moved to the Botsford Inn, and in 1999 to Schoolcraft College.

"We're so excited to welcome this great festival back to campus and invite the community to enjoy this free event,” said Glenn Cerny, Schoolcraft College president. “The Michigan Jazz Festival is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the area’s best jazz music."

Beyond the festival, the MJF board presents fundraising events year round to pay performers and teachers at education initiatives presented in person and on the web. There is free parking and festival merchandise will be available. Schoolcraft’s Culinary Program will provide a variety of lunch and dinner fare. Beer and wine are also available.

For more information on the festival, visit michiganjazzfestival.org.

Cotton Club Rathskellar Stage, Lower Waterman

12:15 p.m. Playing with the Pros

1:45 p.m. Detroit Office of Civil Defense

3:15 p.m. Ingrid Racine Quintet

4:45 p.m. Aston Neighborhood Pleasure Club

6:15 p.m. Andrew Rathbun Quartet

7:45 p.m. Kathy Kosins

Vosgerchian Solo Piano Room, Rennolds Room

12:15 p.m. Duncan McMillan

1:30 p.m. William Marshall Bennett

3 p.m. Matthew Fries

4:15 p.m. Rick Roe

5:30 p.m. Brendon Davis

6:45 p.m. Michael Jellick

Salden Big Band Stage, Diponio Room

12:15 p.m. Dr. Prof. Leonard King Orchestra

2 p.m. MJF All-Star H.S. Jazz Band

3:45 p.m. Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra

5:30 p.m. CSO

7:15 p.m. Jeff Trudell Big Band

Sally Bolle Cabaret Stage, Henry’s Cafe

Noon Barbara Ware & Cliff Monear

1:15 p.m. Sandra Bomar & Don Bartkowiak

2:30 p.m. Marvin Jones & Jay Valle

3:45 p.m. Emma Aboukasm & Scott Gwinnell

5 p.m. Sunny Wilkinson & Ron Newman

6:15 p.m. Ellie Martin & Mike Harrison