jazz

Several years ago, Chicago-based guitarists and bandleaders Andreas Kapsalis and Goran Ivanovic decided to form a duo to explore high-level guitar playing that blends immense technique, layered melody and rhythm, and classical, jazz, central European, and even film influences.

 The duo has recorded two albums of original works, "Blackmail" (2013) and "The Andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic Duo" (2009).   

During a recent jazz residency at Western Michigan University, Keith Hall, host of WMUK's Jazz Currents, invited jazz vocalist and songwriter Peter Eldridge to WMUK's Takeda studio for a session of music and conversation.

Last night, renowned jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis taught a master class and performed with students from Hackett Catholic Central High School in Kalamazoo. He’ll be making similar stops in Grand Rapids, East Lansing, and Detroit.

In November at Western Michigan University, renowned tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano performed and collaborated with the Western Jazz Quartet and the students of the University Jazz Orchestra. 

Here's a conversation recorded at WMUK on the eve of the November 22nd concert, with Mr Lovano and bassist Tom Knific, chair of the WMU Jazz Studies department. 

Jazz violinist Regina Carter, who performed with her quartet Wednesday night at Western Michigan University as part of the School of Music's Mind, Music and Medicine conference, spoke with Cara Lieurance before the concert.