Doors at 2:30 - Music at 3pm - $10-20 suggested donation at the door - No advance tickets
The last Sunday of each month (excluding December), head to The Alluvion for some seriously big music from some of the finest jazz musicians across the state. Say “hello” to The Alluvion Big Band, directed by Chris Glassman.
The first ever Alluvion Big Band will be led by acclaimed bass trombonist Chris Glassman, along with artistic counsel by legendary saxophonist and jazz educator Bill Sears. Performing new and familiar tunes, each month will be a new, invigorating jazz experience.
No tickets or reservations are needed for The Alluvion Big Band performances. Suggested donation $10-20 at the door.
THE BAND:
Saxes: Dante Billeci, Laurie Marino Sears, Bill Sears, Evan Kielty, Kevin Brewster
Trumpets: Joshua L. Wagner, Rob Smith, Jacob Anderson, Jauron Perry
Trombones: Nanami Haruta, Chase Carpenter, Drew Kilpela, Arthur Motl
Rhythm Section: Christopher Minami, Bryn Roberts, Javier Enrique, Ciara Connolly
CHRIS GLASSMAN - DIRECTOR
Hailed by International Trombone Journal as someone whose “ warm sound, beautiful phrasing, and ability to perform in various styles convincingly sets him apart as a truly exceptional musician”, Chris Glassman is a rising star jazz performer on bass trombone, Director of Jazz at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Michigan based musician.
He has performed and/or recorded with legendary musicians Michael Bublé, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Sarah McLachlan, Kurt Elling, Danilo Perez, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rene Marie, Wayne Bergeron, Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr., and Etienne Charles among others.
Passionate about igniting students to their path in music, Chris was previously the Arts Entrepreneurship and Career Programs Coordinator at Michigan State University's College of Music. In this work, he focused on helping undergraduates and graduates develop entrepreneurship skills in the arts, including networking, professional materials, online presence, and project development. He also has facilitated entrepreneurship masterclasses with musicians like Damien Sneed, Branford Marsalis, Sö Percussion, and Anthony Davis among others. He continues this entrepreneurship focused pedagogy in all of his teaching. When not performing, teaching, or arranging, Glassman enjoys playing too many board games with his wife Christine, reading, and doting over his cats Muffin and Dobby.
BILL SEARS - ARTISTIC COUNSEL
Saxophonist Bill Sears is revered by jazz audiences throughout the state of Michigan and the Upper Midwest. A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Bill received the BM and MM degrees from Indiana University after which he moved to Chicago, quickly becoming a core member of the city's vibrant jazz scene.
Bill moved to the Grand Traverse region in 1987 when he accepted the position as Director of Jazz Studies and instructor of saxophone at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a position he held for 34 years until his retirement in May of 2021.
Bill enjoyed touring the US and Europe with the Ray Charles band. Additional jazz greats with whom he has performed include Dizzy Gillespie, Bob James, Peter Erskine, Geoffrey Keezer, Rick Margitza, Rodney Whitaker, saxophonist Bill Evans and many others. He has shared the stage with a plethora of great vocalists in the jazz and popular genres including, but not limited to: Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Wayne Newton and Maureen McGovern; and groups such as The Temptations, Four Tops, Spinners, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Manhattan Transfer, Supremes, Liberace, Henry Mancini, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Appearing on about 20 albums, Bill has released two CD’s as a leader: Chasin’ The Goal with fellow saxophonist Rick Margitza, and With One Accord with the Arts Center Jazz Collective. Both albums feature not only his unique voice as a saxophonist and improviser, but several of his original compositions.