Michigan Jazz Festival Snapshots

T he Michigan Jazz Festival at Schoolcraft College on July 15 featured great music in very comfortable surroundings, unless the heat at the one outside venue (the Red Tent) was a problem for you. Here are some snapshots of some of the highlights of the festival.

The eighteenth festival turned out to be the last festival with Midge Ellis as coordinator, but she will remain on the Board of Directors. If all goes according to plan Schoolcraft College will assume a larger role in organizing the festival. SEMJA contributed to the educational mission of this year’s festival.

TOP: Metro Jazz Voices (from left): Carl Cafagna, Nicci Der-Stepanian, Meri Slaven, Jordan Schug on the Salden Stage.

ABOVE: Michele Ramo and Midge Ellis hanging out in the hallway at the VisTaTech Center.

LEFT: Terry Lower in the Steinway Solo Piano Room.

BELOW: Playing With the Pros. The Pros are Dennis Tini on piano and Jeff Halsey on bass. The young musician is Donovan Johnson, 10, on drums.

photographs by Lars Bjorn