Join us this Thursday, November 30, for “Fantasy In Blue”, the first of our “Walter Blanding Presents” performance series featuring well-known jazz compositions from the iconic album “Kind of Blue” and Walter’s most recent album. This is the first of a series of concerts hosted by Walter Blanding, featuring local talent and invited guests from the jazz scene.

Each performance begins with a brief discussion between the audience and artists, using our imagination to take us on a journey of music together. The next performance in this series will be on January 12, 2024, entitled “Walter Blanding Presents: Cypress”. Don’t miss it!

His latest album, ‘Fantasy in Blue,’ launched with this statement:
“The music on this album is designed to bring us closer to understanding the beauty of our differences and what we all have in common. We discover the profound depth and importance of cultural awareness and well-being.”

FANTASY IN BLUE

Max Gage – piano
Joshua Watkins – drums
Reuben Stump – bass
Sam Guckwa – alto & baritone saxophones
Jauron Perry – trumpet
Wyatt Forhan – trombone
Walter Blanding – tenor & soprano saxophones

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Walter Blanding (tenor and soprano saxophones): For over 30 years, Walter has been bringing the joy of music to people across the globe, from New York to China and everywhere in between. As a music educator, Walter states: “I find great satisfaction in helping students benefit from lessons in a way that extends beyond the scope of music and lasts for a lifetime.” Using some of his experiences has been a great way of sharing valuable insights when teaching, his career includes performances and recordings with some of the great artists of our times; Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Wayne Shorter, Willie Nelson, Dianna Ross, Count Basie Orchestra, Cab Calloway, Branford Marsalis, Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Roy Hargrove, Tony Bennet, Elton John, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Liza Minelli, Bobby McFerrin, Sister Sledge, Isaac Hayes, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Billy Eckstine, Isaack Pearlman, Natalie Merchant, Seiji Ozawa, Joshua Bell, the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Paris Radio Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Walter was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in New York City. His artistry began to impress critics and listeners alike in 1991, with his debut on Tough Young Tenors, acclaimed as one of the year’s best jazz albums. Since then, his musical and spiritual presence on this earth has continued to evolve. In 1999, a feature article in Newsweek International described Walter as the “Jazz Ambassador to Israel.” Walter lived in Israel for four years. He made a significant impact on the music scene, touring the country with his ensemble and with invited artists from the States. His presence and influence in the country have inspired the film “Caravan 841”, in which he was a featured actor. Walter also taught music in several Israeli schools and opened his private school in Tel Aviv. With his dedication to enriching lives by using the arts as a cultural exchange, Walter served as the Jazz Ambassador in Shanghai, China, for Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai from 2018 to 2020. In addition, he has been an artist in residence in Maine during the winter and spring season of 2022. Walter is currently the Professor of Jazz Saxophone at Michigan State University.

Max Gage is a young self-taught jazz pianist from Grand Rapids who developed his own sound that represents his vision of colliding genres and creativity. As a young musician, Max was the youngest member to ever join the Grand Rapids symphonette at 12 years old and immediately began exploring music through improvisation. He always followed his ear and began to play the parts of other instruments and improvise over classical piano pieces. His talent caught the attention of local musicians who introduced him to jazz and great jazz pianist Jeremy Siskind. Inspired by Siskind's ability to improvise over any style, Max started his jazz career in his last two years of high school. The music clicked immediately, and within his first year, Max received recognition as the All-State Jazz Pianist with The Jamie Aebersoeld Best Soloist award. The next year, he was selected for the District X All-Star band and was recognized for the Savanah Jazz Festival. Max now leads his own Trio and can be found playing at Clubs and venues all over Michigan. Max has been featured at multiple festivals around Michigan and has performed in Europe twice. Max now studies jazz at Michigan State, where he focuses on his passion for the development of both music and people.

Reuben Stump is a Lansing area bassist, vocalist, and composer. Reuben grew up with an appreciation for early jazz and the Great American songbook. At his time in college under the mentorship of Robert Hurst, he became increasingly exposed to bebop, fusion, funk, and many other styles of music. While he gigs around the state of Michigan, Reuben continues to pursue his passion as a graduate student at Michigan State University under the direction of Rodney Whitaker.

Joshua Watkins is a brilliant and professional drummer who hails from the great city of Detroit, Michigan. Being born into a vast family of musicians, it was only natural for him to be musically inclined as well. At a young age, his musical roots started in the church and since then he has grown to be extremely versatile, not only as a drummer but as a musician, producer, and bandleader. He currently attends Michigan State University under the direction of the distinguished Rodney Whitaker and drum instructor Randy Gelispie. His upbringing has allowed him to be very successful in many different musical capacities. He gives thanks to his family, and all the glory to God for helping him along his journey.

Sam Gucwa is a saxophonist and woodwind doubler who started her career performing in Denver, CO, playing a mixture of indie rock, orchestral, and jazz music. Gucwa is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music degree at Michigan State University, studying under tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding. She is a resident artist in the Carr Center’s Gathering Orchestra.

Wyatt Forhan (bass trombone) is an aspiring young musician from St. Louis, MO. Wyatt began his musical career at the age of three when he learned drums and then progressed to discover jazz and classical piano at the age of 8. Wyatt started to play the Trombone in fourth grade and added the Bass Trombone to his studies a year later. He continued his Jazz education with six years of study at the Jazz St. Louis: JazzU program. Since then, Wyatt has studied with Steve Davis, Tim Coffman, Rick Simerly, Carl Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Dave Dickey, James Burton III, Adam Larson, Tim Green, Brandon Lee, Jim Alfredson, and Gerry Pagano. He has won many “Best Jazz Soloist” awards at many jazz festivals in the Midwest region. Currently, he studies with Michael Dease at Michigan State University, where he is working to earn his graduate degree in Jazz Trombone Performance.

Jauron Perry, is a rising Detroit-Native Jazz Trumpeter, Composer, and Bandleader now a second-year undergraduate studying jazz performance at Michigan State University's College of Music. Selected as the Next Generation of Talent award recipient, Jauron has quickly gained much experience performing and working with Detroit jazz masters such as Rodney Whitaker, Dwight Adams, James Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Vincent Chandler, and Regina Carter, just to name a few. Other sensations outside of his hometown include Etienne Charles, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Printup, Tim Warfield, and Jeff Hamilton. Jauron has also been featured in popular events such as the Detroit Jazz Festival, Michigan Jazz Festival, African World Festival, East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, and as of recent, the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship at Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has been said, according to Kris Johnson, to be a "natural leader who searches for new ways to make personal connections with the music". Jauron also conducts outreach as a youth mentor and advocate for young people across Michigan matriculating into the arts and entertainment industry. Jauron desires to spread a message of unity, diversity, and awareness through his music, honor the tradition of jazz through his influences, and include relevant themes in his approach to music through the lens of today's world.

Walter Blanding - Fantasy in Blue with Clique Vocals opening the show
Tickets > https://urbanbeat.ticketspice.com/walter-blanding-fantasy-in-blue