About the Event
Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz: The Lakeshore Jazz Connection Years
Saturday, July 15, 2.30-4pm at the Library
The Saugatuck-Douglas District Library and the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center present, “Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz: The Lakeshore Jazz Connection Years,” Saturday, July 15, from 2:30 – 4pm. The presentation will be held at the Saugatuck –Douglas District Library, 174 Center Street in Douglas, MI. Admission is free.
Saugatuck has a rich history with venues like the Big Pavilion, the Blue Tempo, Billie’s Bathouse and Coral Gables which featured live jazz. In the early 1960s, several Saugatuck Music Festivals featured the likes of Duke Ellington, Ira Sullivan, Dave Brubeck, Carmen McCrae, Ramsey Lewis and many more.Lakeshore Jazz Connection was created in 1993 and though disbanding in 2016, the founders are celebrating the anniversary with live jazz and sharing memories of those years of hosting concerts, mostly at the Saugatuck Woman’s Club.
Jim Cooper was Artistic Director for many of the LJC years. The vibraphonist, composer, and recording artist has been living in Fennville with his wife, Gini, since 1997, after moving from Chicago. Jim and Eric Gollannek, Executive Director of the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center will discuss the LJC years, its importance to the local jazz scene and share anecdotes on the history of jazz at the Lakeshore.
Interspersed with discussion will be live jazz with the Jim Cooper Quartet featuring Jim on vibraphone, Steve Talaga on piano, John Webber on bass and Randy Marsh on drums. Music will include songs by Duke Ellington, Ira Sullivan, Cooper and music from his latest CD, Make Someone Happy, which was recorded in Saugatuck as part of LJC’s jazz series.
Location
Saugatuck-Douglas District Library
174 Center Street
Douglas,
MI
49406
United States