Max Johnson Trio * Sixth Sense * The Quartet

Max Johnson Trio. Described as “an intrepid composer, architect of sound and beast of the bass…” (Brad Cohan, NYC Jazz Record) composer, bassist, and improviser Max Johnson is one of the most prolific music makers in the jazz, bluegrass, improvised music, and contemporary classical worlds. Johnson has released nearly 20 albums and performed over three thousand concerts internationally with artists like Anthony Braxton, Geri Allen, Mary Halvorson, David Grisman, Tyshawn Sorey, Ingrid Laubrock, Henry Grimes, Candido Camero, Sam Bush, Nels Cline, and many more. He has composed commissions for the Jerome Foundation, Society of Composers Inc, University of Glasgow, has been featured on over seventy albums, and can be heard in Spike Lee’s Academy Award winning film, “The BlacKkKlansman”. For this concert, Max Johnson presents his incredible trio with Neta Raanan on tenor saxophone and Eliza Salem on drumset, celebrating the trio’s 2024 album, “I’ll see you again” on Adhyropa Records. This trio explores Johnson’s more traditional jazz compositions inspired by innovators Charles Mingus, Mal Waldron, and Thelonious Monk, while always featuring Johnson’s unique energetic and chaotic soundworld.

The Trio features the brilliant and inventive Neta Raanan (saxophone) and Eliza Salem (drums/percussion).

“Multi-faceted bassist Max Johnson helms a terrific trio… Here and elsewhere, evidence of Johnson’s composer’s ear surfaces in how cannily he extracts maximum impact from the three voices.” – John Sharpe, The New York City Jazz Record

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Sixth Sense is an electrifying jazz sextet comprised of WMU jazz students diving into the Kalamazoo music scene. The 6 members share a love of bebop, post-bob, and contemporary music. The band features a fiery horn section, with Haden Bovee (Alto Sax), from Middleville, MI, Blaine Forsyth (Tenor Sax), from Tawas City, MI, and Colin Woniewski (Trombone), from Byron Center, MI. Their exceptional individual talents are only given context by their swinging rhythm section, which consists of Caleb Downey (Piano), from Cadillac, MI, Noah Prince (Bass), from Grand Rapids, MI, and Chris Majure (Drums), from St. Charles, IL. They strive to provide a musical setting in which the horns can express themselves to the fullest with singing melodies and colorful textures. Together, these six musicians create a vibrant and captivating jazz experience that showcases the individuality of each musician, while creating an enjoyable soundscape all the while. Let your sixth sense be awakened.

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The Quartet is a group of talented high school and college musicians led by Alex Roberts. Collectively, they have participated in music programs across the Kalamazoo area, including the KJSO, KAR, and WMU. The group has performed at events such as Sarkozy Sunday Brunch, Sounds of the Zoo, Fun in the Zoo, Jericofaire, various corporate dinners, Art Hop, and more. Specializing in reshaping popular music by incorporating elements of classical music, jazz and soul, the Quartet brings in fresh takes on songs you already love.