The 17th Annual Summer Solstice Jazz Festival (SSJF) will make its way to downtown East Lansing on June 21-22 featuring a high-caliber ensemble of local, regional and national jazz performers. The festival is presented by the City of East Lansing, Wharton Center for Performing Arts and the MSU College of Music, with Artistic Direction by Rodney Whitaker.

This FREE-to-the-community festival is centered around a large tent located in the heart of downtown East Lansing in Parking Lot 1 (230 Albert Ave.) on the corner of Albert Avenue and Abbot Road.

This year’s headliners include France native and Gypsy jazz songstress Cyrille Aimee, the swinging New Orleans sound of The Frederick Sanders Trio featuring Germaine Bazzle, and the MSU Professors of Jazz with saxophone powerhouse Tim Warfield.

The Festival features main stage performances, the Jazz Kids children’s activity area, onsite food, the new MSU Educational Stage and After Glow performances.

Performances include:

Cyrille Aimée

“her singing was playful, full of feeling, space and light. – The New York Times

"a voice like fine whiskey -- oaky and smooth, with a hint of smokiness" - The Washington Post

“one of those singers whom nonsinging musicians call “a musician.” - The New York Times

Cyrille Aimée is an unstoppable, undeniable new talent in jazz today. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are enchanting and mesmerizing. Her rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and French Gypsy swing, receiving rave reviews and a fan following wherever she goes. In 2007, Cyrille won both the First and Public Prizes in the Montreaux Jazz Festival Competition, and at the age of 26, she has already released four CDs internationally.

Don’t miss your chance to see Cyrille at the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival this summer, then again when she returns for an intimate performances in Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre in April 2014

The Frederick Sanders Trio featuring Germaine Bazzle

"From its very first notes you know this is going to be a five-star-in-the-pocket groover" – The Scanner

"I have heard the future of cool jazz and his name is Fred Sanders" – Texas Monthly
A frequent performer with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, pianist Frederick Sanders got his start after being inspired by classmate, friend and trumpet player Roy Hargrove. Sanders has played and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, David “Fathead” Newman, Wess Anderson, Clark Terry and numerous others.
Germaine Bazzle is one of the legends of New Orleans jazz, Germaine Bazzle’s voice is as distinctive as any, with a sweet soul to match. Her exploits singing in the Seventh Ward are unmatched. She’s worked with Ellis Marsalis, Victor Goines and Alvin “Red” Tyler, and has recorded with Dianne Reeves.

MSU Professors of Jazz with Tim Warfield

The MSU Professors of Jazz are members of the jazz faculty in the Michigan State University College of Music. This “hard-bop” band features Etienne Charles (trumpet), Randy Gelispie (drums), Diego Rivera (tenor saxophone), Reginald Thomas (piano), Perry Hughes (jazz guitar), Michael Dease (trombone) and Rodney Whitaker (bass and artistic director). The group continues to perform music from the jazz canon, including standards, jazz classics and original compositions.
The New York Times Critics Poll declared Tim Warfield “possibly the most powerful tenor saxophonist of his generation.” He has performed and toured with the likes of Christian McBride, Jimmy Smith, Dizzy Gillespie and many others.

Vocal Jazz Summit

Hosted by the Rodney Whitaker Trio

Join the Rodney Whitaker Trio for an intimate performance featuring some of the area’s finest jazz vocalists. The singers featured will include:
Betty Joplin- Jackson’s own Grammy nominated singer with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Ramona Collins- Raised in Lansing, She has performed with Jimmy Scott, Jack MacDuff, Marcus Belgrave and many others.
Mardra Thomas- Mardra Thomas is a seasoned singer and actress known for her realistic interpretation of Billie Holiday. She is a featured performer on the MSU Professors of Jazz album “Better than Alright.”
Betty Baxter- Betty Baxter’s “Satin Sounds” will captivate audiences. She is a beloved local performer, promoter and educator.

Grupo Ayé

An energetic, exciting and fun ten-piece Afro-Caribbean ensemble, Grupo Ayé is known for their upbeat mix of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican rhythms. Crowds will be up on their feet dancing when this group takes the stage.
The MSU Educational Stage - Attracting Jazz Lovers and Creating New Ones

This year with the assistance of MSU, the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival strengthens its commitment to music education with the addition of the MSU Educational Stage. This performance area will give local high school and young up-and-coming jazz musicians an opportunity to perform on stage at a major jazz festival. The 2013 performers are Noah Frankforter, recipient of the 2012 Jazz Alliance of Mid Michigan Sandy Izenson Scholarship, the East Lansing High School Jazz Combo, Saginaw Area Youth Jazz Ensemble, and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Jazz Combo.

Afterglow Performances

After we zip up the Big Tent for the night...
The party continues with an intimate Jazz Bistro performance at Beggar's Banquet, ( 218 Abbot Road), from 10:45 pm - 12:30 am. Join us on Friday, June 21st for the Dave Rosin Quartet, and Saturday, the 22nd for The Detroit Tenors.