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Special Events:
Clara’s on the River

Battle Creek Michigan

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Events - July 2024

Terry Lower, keyboard

Terry has also appeared with several Symphony Orchestras performing with Eddie Daniels, Jennifer Holiday and Bernadette Peters as well as the Jimmy Dorsey and Nelson Riddle Orchestras,  and played 2 Jazz tours in Italy with vocalist/Grammy nominee, Betty Joplin and The Edye Evans Hyde Sextet.

Terry Lower Pianist/Composer
http://www.terrylowermusic.com
After studying composing/arranging and performance at Berklee
College of Music in Boston, Terry Lower  returned to Michigan and for
over 30 years has been active on the jazz scene both here and abroad
performing and/or recording with many Jazz greats.

Terry has played with Frank Morgan,  Bobby Shew, Hendrik Meurkins , Kevin Mahogany and Benny Golson to name a few.

2023 Dates for August

Wed: 2, 9, 23, 30
Thu: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Fri: 4, 11, 18
, 25



Featured Artists


Lana Hoffman

Come out and hear the wonderful vocalist from Kalamazoo..Lana Hoffman

Lana Hoffman on Facebook

2023 Dates for August

Wed: 2, 9, 23, 30
Fri: 18, 25


Lori LeFevre vocalist

Lori LeFevre, Vocalist

Lori Lefevre is a jazz singer in the style of Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan. Her love of standards, improvisation and scat singing flow through her recent CD ” The Song Is You” with Pianist Eric Dickey. She performs regularly in the Toledo, Ohio and Southwest Michigan area and is a mentor and torch bearer for the strong jazz community that thrives in the midwest region. She is also a member of vocal jazz group, 6th Edition.E
https://www.reverbnation.com/lorilefevre

2023 Dates for August

Thu: 3




Up Dixieland


Up the Creek Jazz Band exists primarily because of the previous existence of another group in the Battle Creek area. 

The New Superior Jazz Band was organized in the early 1960’s and performed Dixieland and Traditional Jazz for about 50 years. 

At the end of its tenure, the band was very fortunate to have held forth on Sunday afternoons on a steady basis for 11 years – – first at one club and then another. The band finally had to disband due to the age of its members. 

When the present band was formed to carry on, it was suggested that it be called “Up the Creek” since its members are from the Battle Creek area.

UP THE CREEK
DIXIELAND BAND
We play Dixieland Jazz in Battle Creek and the mid-Michigan area. Our members include David Burkhead, trumpet, Craig Diederich, trombone, Roy Howell, guitar, Bob Murray, bass, David Hackett, drums, and George Pendill, clarinet and leader. 

2023 Dates for August

Wed: 16



Paul Vornhagen

Paul Vornhagen – Sax & Vocals

“Gutsy sax…sensuous flute…and vocals, smooth as silk” –JAZZ TIMES
“Great tone on the soprano sax…top notch composer” –CADENCE

2023 Dates for August

Thu: 17, 24, 31
Fri: 4

http://paulvornhagenjazz.com/




Ray Tini

Ray Tini – Bass (Detroit)

For fifteen years, Ray Tini was Paul Anka’s exclusive bass player. Over several decades, Ray’s illustrious career has spanned several different musical genre’s including performances with Peggy Lee, Rob McConnell, Bob Hope and Luciano Pavarotti.



2022 Dates for July

Wed: 5
Thu: 13


Read more about Ray Tini



Drummers

Larry OchiltreeLarry Ochiltree has preformed with many national jazz artists including Mark Murphy, Ira Sullivan, Bobby Watson, Phil Woods, Dominque Eade, Hendrick Merkuns, Franc Ansalu,m Sunny Wilkenson, Frank Mantooth, Bette Levette, Rob Eva,n Lary Nozero, Vincinet Dimartino, Jenna Mamin,a Grace Kell,y Robert Hurst, Clair Fische, Kerry Strayer, Rodney Whittiker, Scott Robinson, and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra Battle Creek Symphony and Jackson Symphony

He has toured with the Drifters and the Coasters WMU Faculty Jazz Quartert as well as many other acts. He attended Michigan State University and the Berklee College Of Music.

Larry is on the music faculty at Hillsdale College where he is Director of Drumset Studies and a member of the Faculty Jazz Quartet He has toured throught the Midwest and Europe extensively.

Larry Ochiltree

Larry has performed throughout Michigan including the Lansing Jazz Fest. Larry played & traveled with the Maynard Ferguson Band.

Read more about Larry here.

2023 Dates for August

Wed: 2, 9, 23, 30
Thu: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Fri: 11, 18, 25



Jim Ryan

Now living in the Detroit area, Jim Ryan has traveled around the globe performing in 14 countries with Rosemary Clooney, Michael Finestein, Bob Hope, Buddy Greco, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Rodney Dangerfield, Phyllis Diller, Doc Severensen, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Mills Brothers,  The Temptations and many others.

Jim Ryan Drummer
Accompanying Edye Even Hyde on the Patio at Clara’s by the River.

2023 Dates for July

Thu: 13



Jim Hayward Jim Hayward – While serving in the US Navy, Jim was assigned to numerous bands and performed in all saxophone positions, doubling on flutes and clarinets as required.  At the conclusion of his 28 year military tenure, he was the lead alto player for the US Navy Band Commodores (the Navy’s official jazz big band) in Washington, DC. 

Recognized as one of the finest jazz saxophonists around, Jim has appeared nationally and internationally in concert with the Temptations, Rosemarie Clooney, Natalie Cole, and Jazz Cruise appearances with Frank Capp’s Juggernaught Band.  He is featured on numerous recordings, including his own album, “Coronado Sands”.  While residing in South Florida, Jim performed regularly with a number of South Florida’s finest musical organizations, including Peter Graves Orchestras, the Bob Hoose Big Band, and the Palm Beach Pops.  Since moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jim has had the good fortune to perform with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, and the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra.

2023 Dates for June

Wed: 21

Mlive article that describe Jim’s “In the Mood” music



Keith Hall drummer

Since 2002, Keith has spent a fair amount of time with singer Curtis Stigers. He has toured throughout the U.S. and much of Europe performing in concert and appearing on numerous television and radio shows.

http://www.wmich.edu/jazz/meet-the-faculty/keith-hall/

Keith Hall Drummer
Keith Hall is the professor of jazz drum set at Western Michigan University and over the years he has established himself as a joyful performer and a passionate educator.

2022 Dates for August

Wed: 24



Scroll down to see performers from previous years.






Edye

In keeping with a tradition established with the first GrandJazzFest in 2012, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Edye Evans Hyde opened the 2015 event.

See her performance at the 2016 GrandJazzFest.

For more than 35 years, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra has been one of Michigan’s premier jazz ensembles, featuring some of the finest musicians in the area playing swinging original compositions and arrangements as well as traditional favorites. (More at http://www.grjo.com.)

Edye Evans Hyde 2011 West Michigan Jazz Society Musician of the Year Edye Evans Hyde has been singing jazz, blues and pop music for more than 30 years in West Michigan, Los Angeles, Asia and Europe. Over the years, Edye shared the stage with world-renowned blues singer Linda Hopkins, pop singer Michael Bolton, vocalist Maria Muldaur, actress Connie Stevens, the late Ray Charles and Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval.

http://edyeevanshyde.com

https://www.facebook.com/EdyeHyde

2022 Dates for August

Thu: 11

2019 Dates for August

Thu: August 1, 8, 15, 22, 2019
Fri: August 2, 9, 16, 23, 2019


Earlier this year:

Thu: July 4, 11, 18, 25, 2019
Fri: July 5, 12, 19, 26, 2019
Thu: June 6, 13, 27, 2019
Fri: June 7, 14, 28, 2019




Sunny Wilkenson vocalist

Sunny Wilkinson – Sunny has been singing out for quite some time from jazz clubs to studios, movies to TV shows. She has sung with the Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Brubeck, Edgar Winter band, Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass, Bill Watrous, Marvin Stamm and, most often, with her own small combos.
http://sunnywilkinson.com/

Thu: August 16, 2018



Jim Hayward Jim Hayward – While serving in the US Navy, Jim was assigned to numerous bands and performed in all saxophone positions, doubling on flutes and clarinets as required.  At the conclusion of his 28 year military tenure, he was the lead alto player for the US Navy Band Commodores (the Navy’s official jazz big band) in Washington, DC. 

Recognized as one of the finest jazz saxophonists around, Jim has appeared nationally and internationally in concert with the Temptations, Rosemarie Clooney, Natalie Cole, and Jazz Cruise appearances with Frank Capp’s Juggernaught Band.  He is featured on numerous recordings, including his own album, “Coronado Sands”.  While residing in South Florida, Jim performed regularly with a number of South Florida’s finest musical organizations, including Peter Graves Orchestras, the Bob Hoose Big Band, and the Palm Beach Pops.  Since moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jim has had the good fortune to perform with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, and the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra.

Wednesday, August 23, 2018

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Thursday, May 31, 2018
Mlive article that describe Jim’s “In the Mood” music




Emma Lee Aboukasm

Emma Lee Aboukasm is an award-winning, Detroit-based recording artist, vocalist, pianist, and composer. Educated in classical and jazz music at the University of Michigan, she is now performing everywhere, including intimate venues like the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe to expansive ones like the Detroit Jazz Festival. Emmalee is on the vanguard of contemporary music in the heart of metro-Detroit.

Emma’s website: emmalee-sings.com

Thu: August 30, 2018
Thu: July 26, 2018
Fridays: June 15, 29, 2018



Kelly Broadway

Kelly Broadway w/ Terry Lower – Kelly Broadway is a jazz vocalist who has performed in New York City, Portland,
OR, Toledo, Detroit and Ann Arbor. She has appeared with Russell Malone, Peter Bernstein, Bruce Barth, David Berkman and John Bunch.

Wednesday August 23, 2017
Thursday August 24, 2017

Wednesday July 5, 2017
Thursdays July 6, 2017

Friday, June 10, 2016
http://vimeo.com/72325010


Fred Knapp

Fred Knapp is a drummer, pianist, composer, and educator. He is known for having a
special touch on the drum set with the ability to adapt to any playing situation.
Fred studied with Quincy Davis, Tim Froncek, and Rupert Kettle in Grand Rapids and
later studied at Western Michigan University, where he studied classical and jazz piano
with Dr. Steve Zegree and drum set with legendary jazz drummer Billy Hart. Read more..

2019 Dates for July

Fri: July 19, 2019



Keith Hall drummer

Since 2002, Keith has spent a fair amount of time with singer Curtis Stigers. He has toured throughout the U.S. and much of Europe performing in concert and appearing on numerous television and radio shows.

http://www.wmich.edu/jazz/meet-the-faculty/keith-hall/

Keith Hall Drummer
Keith Hall is the professor of jazz drum set at Western Michigan University and over the years he has established himself as a joyful performer and a passionate educator.

 

Earlier this year:

Wed: June 5, 2019
Thu: June 13, 2019


Last year’s schedule
Wed: August 22, 2018
Wed: July 25, 2018


Ray Karmalay

Guitarist Ray Kamalay

Ray Kamalay plays acoustic guitar and sings good old jazz chestnuts. Kamalay has worked in collaboration with many fine artists, including Joel Mabus, James Dapogny, Johnny Frigo, Betty Joplin, the Chenille Sisters, Jethro Burns and Ralphe and Howard Armstrong. In 1997 his work with the Armstrongs was nominated for the W. C. Handy Award. A student of the music,
Ray lectures periodically at the college level with a talk called “Freedom, Slavery and the roots of American Music.”
Friday, June 9, 2017


Jim Cooper vibes“When the mallets are in the hands of the exceptionally talented Jim Cooper, it’s an extraordinary and inspired performance vs. the mere ordinary! A wonderful diversion from the standard jazz trio fare, the vibraphone added a rich, yet ethereal nuance to a fine evening of “mallet” jazz! — Grand Rapids Jazz Society Newsletter

Jim Cooper Vibes


2022 Dates for June
Thu: 16

Listen: http://www.jimcooper.net/



Jim Ryan

Grand Rapids-based drummer Eddie Eicher can be heard on the award-winning CDs of Karisa Wilson (Jammie Award), Fiction Switch (John Lennon and Billboard Songwriting Contests), Roger MacNaughton (three ArtPrize Music Awards) and An Dro (Jammie Award). For 9 years he was the drummer with West Michigan’s premier horn band, Hip Pocket.

Eddie Eicher Drummer
Eddie’s primary focus is on jazz, performing with big bands (including the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra), jazz ensembles (including the Beer City Saxes), and numerous trios and quartets. Visit Eddie’s website at www.EddieEicher.com for more info and samples of his various music projects.

2019 Dates for July

Fri: July 12, 2019

Earlier this year:

Thu: June 20, 2019


New to Clara’s on the River summer entertainment this year.



Evan Hyde drums

Evan Hyde, drummer, from Grand Rapids Michigan played at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC in 2015 as part of the BETTY CARTER’S JAZZ AHEAD program.

Evan graduated from Western Michigan University and the University of Miami with degrees in music, and is the son of vocalist Edye Evans Hyde and guitarist Michael Hyde. He now resides in New York City

Friday: August 17, 2018


Ed Fedewa

Ed enjoys stretching out in big bands and small ensembles  like the Neil Gordon Trio, Sunny Wilkinson Quartet, Dave Bennett Quartet and the Terry Lower Trio. He studied at MSU and now teaches at CMU where he is a member of their esteemed faculty jazz sextet.  When he’s not performing or teaching he can be found building or restoring double basses in his basement workshop.  

Ed Fedewa – Bass (Lansing)
Ed Fedewa is a Michigan bassist that can be heard in a variety of musical venues. He is principal bassist with the Lansing Symphony and also plays with many other orchestras.  He also enjoys performing pit work with Broadway shows such as Wicked, Pippin, Grease to name a few.


Thu: August 16, 2018

Read more about Ed Fedewa and why he is also a handy guy. Lansing State Journal.


jerry_mckenzie

Jerry McKenzie Drummer
McKenzie lives in suburban Detroit, and toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He also travelled with Stan Kenton Orchestra for many years.
Read more

Fri: July 13, 2018



Harvey Thompson

Harvey Thompson– Originally from the Detroit area, has made his career in jazz singing primary in Japan in recent years.
“I felt it would further my career if I moved to Japan.” Read about his career in this article.

Thursday August 25, 2016
Friday August 26, 2016

Wednesday, August 5, 26, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015



Earlie Braggs

Earlie Braggs – Earlie Braggs is a jazz trombonist and vocalist. He has recorded with the Kerry Strayer Septet, the New Kansas City Seven and the Jazz Heritage Orchestra.
Thursday, July 14, 2016

Wednesday August 24, 2016

http://earliebraggs.gull-lake.net/order.html




Buddy

Buddy Popps – Guitar and vocal. Buddy has been called the “Funniest Musician Ever.” He is a talented guitarist and singer playing easy going contemporary music, such as Jimmy Buffet and Gordon Lightfoot hits, along with his hilarious original tunes. Buddy Popps always provides an entertaining evening.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016



Buddy

Russ Miller – had the opportunity to perform with jazz luminaries Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy DeFranco, Rob McConnell, Jon Faddis, Joe Williams, Milt Hinton, Rosemary Clooney and Sammy Davis Jr. among others. In addition Russ is called upon to perform with local artists, in pit orchestras and shows, and with his own quintet at the Michigan Jazz Festival and other concert venues. Read more..

Wednesday, June 1, 2016




Buddy Scott Cowan Trio – (Jazz Trumpet) About Scott’s Album: “For most musicians, a recording like this – featuring one’s own compositions and arrangements, performed by a top-drawer assemblage of peers and admirers, and displaying the leader’s own virtuosity – would represent the pinnacle of a career. For Scott Cowan, it’s just icing on the cake.”
Wedneday June 11, 2014
http://cowanjazz.com/



Buddy

Ken Morgan Trio (Jazz Sax & Flute) – Ken has appeared with Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Henry Mancini, Pearl Bailey, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and many other well-known jazz artists.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014
http://www.kpl.gov/ken-morgan/



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We celebrate the spirit of the past here at Clara's on the River. Good friends, great food in
beautiful surroundings reminiscent of a simpler time.

RESTAURANT HOURS:
Monday through Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Clara's on the River, 44 McCamly St. N., Battle Creek, MI 49017 • 269-963-0966
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