Summer was made for enjoying jazz outside. Lucky for you, when the 13th annual Jazz at the Zoo opens their season at the John Ball Zoo Bandshell, you will have 11 chances to enjoy one of the best kept secrets in our city's entertainment scene.
Part of the charm is not its off the beaten path location next to the zoo in John Ball Park, but the thoroughly decadent day of the week on which it occurs: Monday. And it's not a sparsely attended event.
"Oh, I would say that on a light night you can expect just over 1000 people," says John Miller of the West Michigan Jazz Society. "But I would have to say that the average crowd is closer to 1,200 - 1,500 each performance."
Since it is in the park, Miller suggests packing a picnic dinner with all the trimmings. If you don't have time, there are plenty of opportunities to snack on hot dogs or stone oven pizza from any one of the vendors who show up at this weekly event.
This year's all-star line up of local and visiting jazz artists includes Paul VornHagen Quartet, The Tom Hagen Summer Swingers, the Max Colley III Sextet, Arno and Randy Marsh, the Fred Knapp Quartet, Evan Hyde & Friends, the Paul Keller Quartet, Mark Kahny Quintet, Michele Covington, and The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra.
"We also started a new tradition last year and have invited an area high school jazz band to open our season to showcase the rising talent of our region," says Miller. "We are so happy to have as our 2013 season opener the Northview High School Jazz Band, which is sure to be a real treat for people who have never heard students from this award-winning group."
Be sure to pack a blanket or chair, as there are a limited number of picnic tables. Bring some cash as well, because organizers pass the hat to help cover the artists' cost of being a part of this free public event. Miller reminds me at the end of our call that while they do not sell alcohol at this event, people are encouraged to take their empties with them as they leave. I could almost hear the wink in his voice.
Jazz people are good people. They improvise as they go along -- and beautifully.
Admission: Free
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