Music In Northern Michigan

      If you are looking for music to enjoy, venture to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bergonzi Piano Trio is one of many music ensembles you will see if you attend Pine Mountain Music Festival. This series of performances is held in Houghton, Marquette, and Hancock, Michigan. June 17, 2024, at 10:00 am, Bergonzi Piano Trio will present their Children`s Concert, at Portage Lake United Church, Houghton, MI, and their evening concert at 7:30 pm, at Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, in Houghton. This performance schedule repeats again with their Children`s Concert at 12:00 pm, June 18, 2024, at Peter White Public Library, in Marquette, MI, June 19, 2024, at 7:30 pm, at Marquette`s Reynolds Recital Hall, on campus at Northern Michigan University.

     Upstarts! is another series of musical performances in Michigan`s U.P. This year performing for Upstart! are Darrius Morton (tenor), Grace Bergstrom (tuba), and Marlee Matthews (oboe). These Upstart! performances are June 21, 2024, 7:30 pm, at Ontonagon Theater, Ontonagon, MI, June 23 and 24, 2024, at Portage Lake United Church, in Houghton, and St. Paul`s Episcopal Church in Marquette, MI, respectively.

     The History of Opera in the U.P. will be presented through opera and arias. Put this on your calendar for June 20, 2024, at St. Paul`s Episcopal Church, in Marquette, MI, and June 22, 2024, at Orpheum Theater, in Hancock, MI. Both performances begin at 7:30 pm.

     On The Town Concerts feature free 30 - 45 minute concerts highlighting chamber music. These concerts will be held at Bridgefest, in Houghton/Hancock, and Marquette Art Week. These performances will take place in unique gatherings such as the canal storefront, a selected coffee shop, a park, antique store, or photo gallery. Do a google search for On The Town Concerts for 2024 dates and locations.

Busking

      For 36 years, saxophonist Ken Warfield, aka "The Hollywood Bowl Sax Man" has been busking under Highland Avenue at the Hollywood Bowl, in Hollywood, CA. Busking is the activity of playing music in public spaces, such as parks and sidewalks, or other public places for voluntary donations where musicians can be seen by many people. Great places to busk are closed-down shops, and corners of busy streets. Busking should be timed for no more than one hour.

     In Michigan busking is legal, and permits are not required. However, there are ordinance and rules that must be followed. Money can be made busking, and some have made this a career choice. If you are playing great music, and there is much foot traffic, busking can bring in a good earning. A musician could earn $20.00 to 50.00 per hour, if not more.

     Busking and begging are simular, but these two activities are distinguishable. Busking provides performance and entertainment, which makes busking more favorable for public space. Busking is making money with your musical talents, verses asking people for charity.

     If you are looking at busking to supplement your income, or choosing this as a career path, do your homework. Musicians do make money from busking. However, be aware, there are pros and cons of busking. Ken "The Hollywood Bowl Sax Man" Warfield was physically attacked while busking. However, the pros have outweighed the cons for Mr. Warfield. Again, my advice - Do Your Homework!

Celebrating African American Music Throughout Black History Month

      "Message In Our Music" was released from The O`Jays in 1976. This message rings true from our past music, recordings of today, and music in our future. African American music covers a diverse range of musical styles and genres developed from African American culture.

     When addressing African American music, our discussion will begin with slave songs and spirituals. Slave songs, also called work songs were hardship songs of physical labor. These songs also communicated with other slaves without slave owners knowing or realizing such communication was occurring. Religious music to come from slavery were spirituals. This sacred music provided slaves with an enduring spirit to persevere.

     After the Civil War between northern and southern States, black musicians playing in military bands developed a style of music called ragtime. From ragtime, other forms and styles developed. Ragtime was the popular form of music from 1890 to 1917. Ragtime music influenced other styles of music such as early jazz, Harlem stride piano, and European composers such as Claude Debussy.

     In the 1920s, jazz surpassed ragtime as popular music. Jazz was developed and grew out of brothels and speakeasies, and was highly segregated. Louis Armstrong was most noted of early jazz innovators. Other jazz styles to follow were swing and big band from the 1930s, with artist such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Bebop followed in the 1940s, with musical artist such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

     Hard bop, modal jazz, Latin and Brazilian jazz would come-out of the 1950s and 60s. Avant garde and fusion were introduced in the 1960s and 70s. Jazz from the 1980s to present day continues borrowing from other styles from classical, hip hop, and electronic music.

     Black music is expansive, and covers an array of genres and styles. These genres and styles include, but are not limited to sacred music, folk music, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and hip hop. There is a lot there in the African American music canon.