The West Shore Community College Performing Arts Series will feature Michigan State University’s Bebop Spartans with special guest, Trombonist, Ryan Keberle at the Ludington Area Center for the arts on Sat., Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
The next generation of great American jazz musicians is represented in this spectacular ensemble from MSU. Improvisation, bebop, swing, blues, and soul are just a few genres of this American art form that the Bebop Spartans will be performing.
Michigan State University has become the national powerhouse of jazz education. Under the direction of Professor Rodney Whitaker, MSU has recruited some of the world’s finest young jazz musicians. The Bebop Spartans, MSU’s jazz big band, is a culmination of Whitaker’s talent.
Hailed in the Jazz Times International Critics Poll as the #1 Trombonist, a player “of vision and composure” according to The New York Times, Keberle has developed a one-of-a-kind voice both on his instrument and as a composer, earning distinction among jazz’s most adventurous new voices.
Due to a generous $1,000,000 donation to the MSU School of Music Jazz Department from the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, the MSU Bebop Spartans are able to travel to three Michigan locations accompanied by world-renowned guest artists and the college is one of MSU’s three annual performance locations.
“I am very proud of the partnership the college has developed with the Michigan State University’s jazz department. Time and time again our audiences provide a warm reception for MSU’s artists which in turn, keep them coming back,” says Ted Malt, WSCC director of performing arts and professor of music.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the college’s web site at westshore.edu/performingarts