Let's Hear It

Saxophonist Sam Pilnick, guitarist Andrew Saliba, bassist Mike Horrigan and drummer Steve Perry, all Western Michigan University School of Music grads or soon-to-be grads, have enjoyed gigging together for over a year at various venues around Kalamazoo and west Michigan. WMUK contributor Craig Freeman asked them to come to WMUK's Takeda studio to play some of their current favorites.

WMUK contributor Craig Freeman hosts a session at WMUK with The Last Gasp Collective, whose energetic live shows are drawing bigger and bigger crowds in southwest Michigan. The group's blend of hip-hop, soul, R&B, jazz, and funk draws upon the eclectic talents of the group, which is fronted by two vocalists:  Jay Jackson and Ashley Hicks.  Interwoven in the mix are solo cellist Jordan Hamilton, Xavier Bonner on flute/saxophone, Jon Boyd on keyboards, Joel Pixley-Fink on bass, Terrence Smith, drums, and Nicholas Baxter, auxiliary percussion. 

The Last Gasp Collective performed a wide selection of songs in a live performance at WMUK, including "Saving Grace," Small Town," Surgeon General," and "Boom." Martin Klemm was the sound engineer.

On Wednesday, composer/pianist Cassandra Kaczor and baritone Ian McGuffin, both graduate students at Roosevelt University in Chicago, will premiere a new, eight-movement work based on the writing of Will Brooks, a musician, writer, and voice for the LGBT community. In an interview and performance at WMUK, Kaczor and McGuffin talked about writing the work and previewed three selections.

Anthony Healy is a pianist and educator who recently earned his master's degree in music at Western Michigan University, where he studied with Jeremy Siskind. In addition to teaching at Crescendo Academy and for the Gilmore Keyboard Festival outreach programs, he performs regularly in Kalamazoo at Ouzos Pub & European Grill on Friday nights and at the Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Old Dog Tavern, usually with a revolving list of musicians. On short notice, Healy agreed to bring some holiday cheer to WMUK's studio, playing his impromptu settings of favorite carols.

With the leaves changing color, a crispness to the air, and the beer turning darker, the time is ripe for another visit from The Brass Rail - Mike McMinn (cornet, trumpet), Roger Lynch (cornet, trumpet), Chris Garrett (horn) John Dickey (trombone) and Fritz MacDonald (tuba). Formed two years ago, they can be found regularly at the Old Dog Tavern, and Arcadia Ales, among other venues. They'll be at Bell's Brewery for the Kalamazoo Bach Festival's Bachtoberfest on September 29.

Wherever they go, the Brass Rail brings its trademark iPads filled with hundreds of arrangements for brass quintet. In WMUK's Takeda studio, they play a mix of swing, ragtime, classical, Tin Pan Alley, American folk - and as a nod to Oktoberfest, German polkas!