theharrisbuilding

[theharrisbuilding]

Jazz at the Harris | Week 4 recap and preview of week 5 (Laurie Sears, Paul Brewer)

“Take these broken wings and learn to fly” Kathy Lamar, Rob Mulligan and The Robin Connell Trio filled our ballroom last Wednesday with groovy Latin jazz, phenomenal showmanship, and special covers of popular songs like “Change the World” (Clapton) and “Blackbird” (The Beatles). Lamar showcased her dynamic personality and wowed them with her experienced vocal skills. The band followed Lamar on stage, getting quiet in some parts, playing out in others- making it hard to believe that the group of musicians doesn’t play together on a consistent basis. Mulligan and Veenstra (drums) had a percussive conversation/showcase in their second set which allowed Mulligan to demonstrate his impressive conga skills. The added percussion filled a lot of space in the band’s sound and complimented the arrangements very well.

It’s hard to believe we are half-way through Jazz at the Harris! We have had four weeks of incredible music, and have enjoyed meeting so many people in the Grand Rapids jazz community. Thank you to everyone who has checked out our venue and come back for more music! Continue to spread the word- anything helps! Next Wednesday the series continues with The Robin Connell Trio and special guests Laurie Sears and Paul Brewer. Brewer played week 1 as well and is a familiar trombone player in the Grand Rapids community. Sears is the director of jazz bands at Northwestern Michigan College and will be playing the saxophone!

Sears is familiar to Michigan audiences through her work on various jazz stages, with Broadway show orchestras and with symphony orchestras throughout the state.  Laurie performs with her own groups as well as with numerous other Michigan jazz artist/ bandleaders in concert and festival settings, in clubs, and for school clinics, including the Building Bridges With Music program with Jeff Haas.  National jazz and popular artists that Laurie has shared the stage with include Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minelli, Julie Andrews, Johnny Mathis, Henry Mancini, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Tops.

As an educator, her teaching experience currently includes Northwestern Michigan College Director of Jazz Ensembles and Adjunct Instructor of Woodwinds, private lesson instruction, and the Interlochen College of Creative Arts Adult Band Camp.  The show begins at 8pm on Wednesday and is just $10. Drink tickets are available for purchase. Cya there!

[theharrisbuilding]

Jazz at the Harris week four: Former Las Vegas singer Kathy Lamar and Grupo Aye bandleader Rob Mulligan

This Wednesday (Jan. 27) at Jazz at the Harris will be a night to showcase how strong and diverse the Grand Rapids music scene truly is. We will be featuring the Robin Connell Trio with their classic American jazz, and special guests Kathy Lamar and Rob Mulligan. Lamar is a pop, soul, R&B and jazz singer who enjoyed a 30 year career in Las Vegas. Mulligan is a world-traveled percussionist who leads the popular West Michigan Afro-Cuban and latin jazz band Grupo Aye. Put these three musical entities together and we have quite the night of eclectic music with endless possibilities!

Lamar has one of the more intriguing stories in the Grand Rapids jazz community. At the age of 18 Lamar arrived in Las Vegas for a two-week vacation and ended up staying in Sin City for 30 years. In an interview with Local Spins, Lamar said after performing at venues like Caesar’s Palace and The Mirage, she fell in love with the infectious energy of the music scene. In 2009, Lamar returned to Grand Rapids and has been a staple of the local music community ever since. Her rich experience in pop, soul and R&B has carried into her more recent jazz performances. Lamar knows how to bring in an audience, wow them, and leave them wanting more. 

Mulligan is a percussionist and drummer with degrees from Western Michigan University and Indiana University. His skillset is wide and ranging, however his focus has been jazz, Latin jazz, and salsa for over three decades. Mulligan has traveled to Cuba, Latin America, and Spain to enhance his musical, cultural and linguistic knowledge. He has performed with distinguished musicians like Aretha Franklin, Steve Talaga and  Marcos Cavalcante. 

The Harris Building ballroom is an incredible room for listening, and the acoustics travel well off of the 100 year-old ceiling and walls. Enjoy comfortable seating with a lounge feel and warm lighting. One of the best things about our venue is that there is no bar or restaurant chit-chat or background noise, and the audience is truly there to enjoy the quality music provided by local musicians.

So, what happens when you combine a jazz trio, a soulful singer and Las Vegas performer like Lamar, and a Latin jazz percussion master like Mulligan? Come find out this Wednesday! Tickets are only $10 and the show starts at 8pm. Drink tickets are available for purchase (beverages provided by Art of the Table) and parking on the street is free after 6! Spread the word and we’ll see you there!

[theharrisbuilding]

Jazz at the Harris | Recap and week 3 preview

Last week Mary Rademacher and Paul Keller stole the show with a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, backed by The Robin Connell Trio. The intimate crowd that braved the bad weather and snowy roads were rewarded with two hours of songs from The First Lady of Song. Rademacher sang elegantly, showcasing her skills as a vocalist and on-stage entertainer. Keller’s upright bass skills showed during his tasteful solos- dancing up and down the neck of his old and worn instrument. 

Drink tickets were available for purchase, and the crowd enjoyed beverages provided by local caterer Art of the Table. The lighting changed a bit from week one, allowing for a more intimate and mellow vibe. Much to our delight we had many returning listeners who enjoyed our space and environment from week one and decided to come back for more. We are excited about the potential for this series and hope that the word continues to spread!

Week three of Jazz at the Harris will feature the Robin Connell Trio with special guest Rob Smith.  Smith is an associate professor of jazz studies at Central Michigan University and has also taught at the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program, Michigan State University, and the Interlochen Arts Academy. Smith has performed in concerts with many notable jazz artists, including George Benson, Randy Brecker, Rodney Whitaker, Larry Carlton, Jimmy Cobb and many more.

Smith is a phenomenal trumpet and saxophone player, and we are excited to welcome him to our space! The show starts at 8pm and tickets are $10 at the door. Please spread the word and we will see you soon! UP NEXT: Jan. 27, Rob Mulligan and Kathy Lamar

[theharrisbuilding]

Fauxgrass and Friends | 3 nights (1/15, 2/5, TBD)

Since their inception in 2011, Fauxgrass has become a staple in the Grand Rapids and Michigan music community. Though they can be categorized as a progressive bluegrass group, Fauxgrass has the unique ability to seamlessly flow between genres of Americana, rock, country and more. The members are Jason Wheeler (mandolin, vocals), Adam Balcer (guitar, vocals), Tim McKay (bass, vocals), and the most recent addition to the band, Alex Johnson (dobro). Each member is highly-skilled at their respective instrument, and offer a fun and high energy show for their audience.

In October Fauxgrass made it out the The Harris Building for ArtPrize After Hours, playing in our first-floor gallery. We had a fun night full of good tunes and dancing fans. We are excited to welcome them back to our historic domed-ballroom where their acoustic instruments will ring throughout the unique century-old space.

Fauxgrass has toured extensively through the mid-west, Colorado, and northeast coast, as well as establishing themselves as a regular presence in the Michigan music scene. They are continuing to build momentum as their unique songwriting and fun performances find enthusiastic reception around the region. Their creative approach to a familiar musical style is a breath of fresh air, and something worth experiencing for the acoustic music lover. The first night of Fauxgrass and Friends is Friday, January 15. They will be back on February 5th, and one more date TBD (joined by local band Desmond Jones). Shows begin at 8pm (doors at 7pm) and cost $10.

[theharrisbuilding]

Jazz at the Harris | Recap & week two preview

Week one of Jazz at the Harris is in the books and we had a spectacular night full of awesome music, surprise appearances, and positive energy! The Robin Connell Trio (Connell, Scott Veenstra, and Chris Kjorness) opened up their first set with some mellow tunes including “Manitou” which you can listen to here: https://soundcloud.com/robin-connell-jazz/08-manitou . After a few tunes, Connell introduced her special guests; Tim Froncek (vibraphones), Paul Brewer (trombone) and Bob Nixon (saxophone). The six-piece group continued the first set with selected tunes from the Jazz Crusaders, and other songs as well including John Lennon’s famed “Imagine” which was dedicated to David Hay, a local jazz musician who recently passed away. Everyone in the room could feel the heartfelt dedication and passionate singing from Connell.

The crowd of about 50 listeners enjoyed a relaxed environment with eclectic yet comfortable seating arrangements. The Harris Building ballroom was alive and the acoustics resonated throughout the 100 year-old space. There was no bar/restaurant chit-chat, TV screens, or any other distraction taking away from the music being played. 

We were lucky to have future Jazz at the Harris performers in attendance including Mary Rademacher and Kathy Lamar who both surprised us with performances of “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)” and “Street Life” respectively. 

Week two (Jan 13) will feature Mary Rademacher and Paul Keller as the special guests joining the Robin Connell Trio. Rademacher is a local vocalist who was named West Michigan Jazz Society’s “Jazz Musician of the Year” in 2006. She is incredibly active in the Grand Rapids music community, instructing vocal lessons at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater and booking herself and the bands she performs with year-round.

Paul Keller is nicknamed the “House Bass Player for the State of Michigan” and has performed all over the world with distinguished musicians. Keller's groups are well known and highly regarded throughout Michigan. His jazz groups have appeared at many regional music festivals, including the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, the Ann Arbor Jazz and Blues Festival, The Michigan Jazz Festival and the Flint Jazz Festival. Paul has been recognized internationally for his association with Grammy-winning pianist/singer Diana Krall and guitarist Russell Malone.

Music begins at 8pm, and tickets are just $10 at the door! Please spread the word about this new and exciting series and we will see you at the Harris!

[theharrisbuilding]

Jazz at the Harris | Week one

We are excited to begin our Jazz at the Harris series on Wednesday, January 6! Week one will feature our house band (Robin Connell Trio) along with special guests Paul Brewer (trombone), Tim Froncek (drums) and Bob Nixon (saxophone). This will be the first of 8 scheduled jazz concerts taking place in our domed-ballroom. The concert will pay tribute to jazz legends, The Jazz Crusaders.

We are excited about this jazz series for many reasons. One reason is that we have a Steinway baby grand piano that Connell will be using during the series. The piano will fill the ballroom with beautiful melodies and good acoustics. This differs greatly from Connell’s usual setup with the keyboard she takes to most gigs.

Connell explains: “...something that has never before happened is a venue that is interested in presenting jazz ensemble performances, in a listening environment, that has a baby grand piano [rather than an electric keyboard]. A real piano, if kept in good condition, allows for nuance, subtlety, and color, that is not possible with an electric keyboard. It effects not just the pianist, but the performance of the other musicians, too.”

The other unique thing about this series is the performer/ house band format. Whereas many jazz series feature different bands/artists each week, Jazz at the Harris will feature the same house band (Robin Connell Trio) each week and bring in special guests to collaborate and front the band. 

“Each weekly show will be similar in format as we go for maximum creativity and versatility from the performers. No one is coming in with their own band, so spontaneity and freshness will be in the forefront. Although we will rehearse each night before the show, there will be ample room for spontaneous musical interplay between the highly capable musicians in the lineup.”

Froncek, Brewer, and Nixon are three Grand Rapids jazz veterans who have collectively played thousands of shows all over the world. Froncek is a professor at Grand Valley State University, and gigs with big bands across Michigan. Nixon, a retired music educator, now works with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and as a well-respected saxophone player. Brewer is a teacher at Aquinas, Interlochen, and more.

The Harris Building welcomes all jazz and music fans to our space on January 6th to see what is in store for this 8-week jazz series. 

“The Harris Building is an unusual blend of sophistication and comfort, old and new, different and familiar. The shows we are planning are also an unusual blend of consistency with variety, seriousness yet fun, old and new, different and familiar.” 

Shows begin at 8pm and are $10. For more information including artist bios and full schedule, visit www.theharrisbuilding.com. 

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building in 2016

The Harris Building is excited to embark on a new year in 2016 with a weekly jazz series, new yoga program, art exhibitions, artist residencies and much more. Stay tuned to our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for event dates, exciting announcements, and other important information.

Jazz at the Harris

On Wed., January 6, 2016 The Harris Building will begin hosting a Wednesday night jazz series featuring The Robin Connell Trio as the house band, with a different guest artist each week. Local and regional musicians will fill the Harris Building’s historic domed-ballroom with songs that pay tribute to the greats, your favorite standards, and much more. Visit Jazz at the Harris for the full schedule and more information.

Yoga at the Harris The Harris Building will also be rolling out a new yoga program in 2016. Classes include Yoga Basics, Music and Movement (live music), Slow Flow Yoga, and Gentle Yoga. Classes are led by Samantha Radecki, a certified Kripalu Yoga instructor and are available for people of all ages and abilities. For class times, pricing and descriptions visit Yoga at the Harris. 

Fauxgrass and Friends

Local bluegrass/Americana favorites Fauxgrass will be joining us again at The Harris Building on January 15, 2016 to kick off our “Fauxgrass and Friends” series. They will be performing in our second-floor domed-ballroom with special guests and other local bands like Desmond Jones. All dates and times will be posted shortly.

Artist Studio Opening

Local artist Cynthia Hagedorn will be having an open house for her Harris Building studio space on Thursday, January 21. The FREE event is open to the public and will be from 5-8pm. (Facebook event)

These are just a few of the exciting things that will be happening at The Harris Building in the coming months. Join our email list to get announcements and stay updated!

THB

[theharrisbuilding]

When is the renovation of the Harris Building scheduled to be complete and will the building be used as a venue to host various events (weddings, gatherings, Proms, etc.)?

We are expecting all of the renovations to be done by ArtPrize this year.  The second floor ballroom will be used for corporate events and weddings.

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building // Grand Rapids, MI

theharrisbuilding.com / facebook / twitter / tumblr

Architectural Photography by Brad Gillette

[theharrisbuilding]

Harris sign by .JCM. on Flickr.

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building // Grand Rapids, MI

theharrisbuilding.com / facebook / twitter / tumblr

Architectural Photography by Brad Gillette

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building // Grand Rapids, MI

theharrisbuilding.com // facebook // twitter // tumblr

Architectural Photography by Brad Gillette

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building // Grand Rapids, MI

theharrisbuilding.com // facebook // twitter // tumblr

Architectural Photography by Brad Gillette

[theharrisbuilding]

Here are some photos from the pop-up store we hosted during ArtPrize 2012 featuring Teamwork Bags, Detroit Denim Co., and Direct Trade Coffee Club. 

We have a lot planned for this year's ArtPrize and over the next few weeks will be posting features on the artists who will be exhibiting in our space. 

theharrisbuilding.com // facebook // twitter // tumblr

[theharrisbuilding]

A video by  Araron Bannasch Tom Wagner Bud Kibby On Friday, April 13 2012, SiTE:LAB occupied the old Harris Furniture Building located at 109 ½ S. Division for an innovative, one-night-only project. SitTE:LAB curator Paul Amenta teamed up with playwright and GVSU professor Austin Bunn to transform the building into the setting for a unique performance piece being written by Bunn. Unlike a traditional play, viewers experienced the performance at their own pace and in their own order, or through random encounters.  Thanks to all of the artists, collaborators and friends that participated.

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building // Grand Rapids, MI

theharrisbuilding.com // facebook // twitter // tumblr

Architectural Photography by Brad Gillette

[theharrisbuilding]

The Harris Building // Grand Rapids, MI

theharrisbuilding.com // facebook // twitter // tumblr

Architectural Photography by Brad Gillette