Jazzmin II

Jazzmin II is a swingin’ jazz quintet featuring members of the local Lake Effect Jazz Big Band and guest artists. The quintet will play jazz standards and classics during the evening including swing tunes, bossas, ballads, and popular jazz tunes going all the way back to the 20′s and 30′s.

The quintet will feature Steven Reed on trumpet and flugelhorn, Chris Keech on tenor sax, Tim King on standup bass, Greg Cleveland on drums, and local composer and pianist Larry Schanker. Reed has been on the music scene in the twin cities area for nearly 35 years teaching music at St. Joseph High School and performing in numerous jazz and classical organizations in and out of the area during those years. Chris Keech is one of the top jazz saxophonists in the area and is a jazz soloist with the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band, Ed Bagatini’s jazz groups, and many others. Tim King also performs with the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band on tenor sax and bass and performs in numerous other bands of various genres. Greg Cleveland is a retired local attorney and jazz drummer and performs tasty rhythmic accompaniment in large and small combos. Larry Schanker has recently been featured with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra as composer and soloist for his “Concerto for Jazz Piano” as commissioned by the the SMSO. Larry holds a Ph.D. In Music Composition from the The University of Chicago, where many of his concert works have been performed. His jazz piano performances have been mesmerizing listeners for years at the Citadel Dance and Music Center, the New Indiana University Cinema, and Second City in Chicago.