Suttons Bay Jazz Fest

July 20, 2008

If you’re a fan of the swing dance craze, the Suttons Bay JazzFest is a “must-do” destination this Saturday, July 26.
Owing to numerous requests, the 16th annual jazz festival is bringing back its big band tradition complete with a parquet dance floor. Dancers will twirl beneath a big top tent at Suttons Bay Marina Park.
The highlight of the event is jazz/folk vocalist Claudia Schmidt fronting the Chris Copeland Big Band, with soloist Harry Goldson on clarinet and sax.
“We formed the band several years ago to preserve the original charts created during the prime years of the Swing Band era,” said Copeland. “Northern Michigan has long been known as one of the foremost repositories for many very talented jazz musicians, enabling this big band to connect with some of the greatest bands of that golden era.”
The band performs all-time hits from Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and more.
“One of our foremost players,” says Copeland, “is clarinetist and sax man Harry Goldson. Acting as our direct link to the Swing Band era, Goldson has played and recorded with many of the names from the golden age of the big band as well as fronting his own groups.”
Vocalist Claudia Schmidt, who has been featured on Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion” and is a Northern Michigan favorite, will make an encore appearance at this year’s event.

Other performers include:
• 1 p.m.: Big Noise Jazz featuring Sam Faught on piano, a Suttons Bay JazzFest scholarship winner in 2004; ceo-founder Matt Riley on electric and acoustic guitar; Leland Southwell on bass guitar; and Andy Wheelock on percussion.
• 2:15 p.m.: The Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Group presents jazz standards and original compositions with vibraphonist, pianist, and composer Jim Cooper who has been playing for more than 30 years. Dave Hay, a pianist, composer, and bassist, performs regularly, fronting his own group and playing and recording with others as well as teaching. Mike Van Lente, drummer and percussionist, is on the faculty of Hope College.
• 3:45 p.m.: The Betty Joplin Quartet: Grammy nominee and diva of jazz and blues, Betty Joplin has captivated audiences throughout the United States, Hawaii, Europe, Mexico and Asia. She has been featured at many other major festivals, including the New Orleans Heritage Jazz Festival and the Montreaux Detroit International Jazz Festival. Betty frequently appeared with the late Arthur Prysock, recording “A Rockin’ Good Way” and the Grammy-nominated “This Guy’s In Love with You.” She has also sung with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Aretha Franklin.
• 5:15: The Tad Weed Trio/DKW Trio: Powerhouse pianist Tad Weed divides his time between Los Angeles and the Midwest and has recorded more than a dozen CDs. He has performed with some of the biggest names in jazz, including John Patitucci, Mundell Lowe, Carmen McRae and Woody Herman. Tad is an outstanding soundpainter at the piano.
• 7 p.m.: Chris Copeland Big Band with Harry Goldson and Claudia Schmidt.
The festival also includes a selection of local wines and food from area restaurants. Funds raised at the festival go to support musical scholarships for local student performers.
Advance tickets are $20 and $30 at the gate, available from the Traverse City Visitor Center, local booksellers and merchants, Tamarack Gallery and Cottage Books.