Beer City Saxes

Beer City Saxes

Beer City Saxes

Saturday, August 5, 2017 – 4:15 to 5:30
South (MICA) Stage

The Beer City Saxes, from Grand Rapids, specialize in Four Brothers and Supersax style arrangements with a multiple-saxophone front line and no supporting brass instrumentation. Their performance will include compositions by such jazz legends as Benny Carter and Charlie Parker, with a style that places emphasis on tight harmonies and harmonized arrangements of classic solos, especially those of the legendary Charlie Parker. The band also perform originals and a wide variety of timeless standards such as “Save Your Love for Me”, “Caravan”, “Over the Rainbow”, and “It Could Happen to You”.

This swinging ensemble draws its members from the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. They have performed at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts, and for the Thornapple Jazz Festival in Hastings. Due to the Beer City Saxes’ popularity with musicians, saxophonists rotate throughout a performance. Regular members include saxophonists Gary McCourry on baritone, James Hayward on alto and tenor, Tom Lockwood on alto and tenor, Tom Stansell on tenor, Greg Marsden on tenor, Mike Lutley on alto and tenor and Bob Nixon on alto. The rhythm section includes pianist Robin Connell, drummer Eddie Eicher and bassist Dave Collee.