Stop in any time for good food and a great view and place to walk by the river! Stop in this summer to enjoy music by the river!
Here are our favorite entertainers… All performances from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on the patio at Clara’s on the River.
If there is rain, the music will be canceled for that evening.
There is no place inside right now to put the band during inclement weather.
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
Come out and hear the wonderful vocalist from Kalamazoo..Lana Hoffman
2023 Dates for August
Wed: 2, 9, 23, 30
Fri: 18, 25
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 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 – Sax & Vocals
“Gutsy sax…sensuous flute…and vocals, smooth as silk” –JAZZ TIMES
“Great tone on the soprano sax…top notch composer” –CADENCE
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.
Larry 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.
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 – 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.
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.
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.
Scroll down to see performers from previous years.
Calendar for Clara’s on the River events
If you have trouble seeing the calendar or if the box is gray, here is a direct link to a bigger version:
Try syncing Clara’s Entertainment Calendar below with your own
free Google calendar, so you will remember to come enjoy the music!
See more about the musicians at the top of this page.
Clara’s on the River
Best of the Southwest Winner
Clara’s is honored by many votes in the “Best of the SouthWest” contest by the Battle Creek Enquirer Sept. 15, 2011.
See more below!
Article about Clara’s by the River
Read about all of the winners of the “Best of the Southwest” contest from the Battle Creek Enquirer, and how Clara’s “sweeped up wins in four categories!”
Previous Entertainers at Clara’s on the River
In keeping with a tradition established with the firstGrandJazzFest in 2012, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with vocalist EdyeEvans Hyde opened the 2015 event.
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.
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 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 – 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.
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 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
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
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.
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
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
“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
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, 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 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.
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– 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 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
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
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
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/
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.