Join us Friday, May 24th, for “Walter Blanding Presents". This is the fifth in a series of concerts hosted by Walter Blanding, featuring local talent and invited guests from the jazz scene.

Each performance begins with a brief discussion between the audience and artists, using our imagination to take us on a journey of music together.

Join us for an action-packed, spectacular evening featuring special guest artist, Dwight Adams. This evening will feature the unique music of Dwight Adams, Walter Blanding, and the legendary Donald Byrd. We finish the evening with our organized open jam session after this evening’s performance, and you are invited to join in on the fun! Bring your instruments, or simply listen.

Our all-star lineup:
Dwight Adams: trumpet
Brandon Rose: bass
Jordan Anderson: piano
Randy Gellispie: drums
Walter Blanding: saxophones

Dwight Adams (trumpet) One blast from his trumpet, and it’s clear as day – Dwight Adams is the real deal. For more than two decades, he’s been playing stages worldwide with Motown legend Stevie Wonder, but for even longer than that, he’s been igniting audiences in the more intimate settings of Detroit’s greatest clubs. Dwight is a soul-inspired jazz trumpeter and one of the brightest stars on the Detroit jazz scene. In addition to his countless tours with Stevie Wonder, Dwight has also played and recorded with world-renowned jazz artists, including Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Shawn Wallace, and Donald Walden. He’s also been a member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Byron Stripling, since 2003. Dwight is also a respected educator. He has taught in the jazz studies programs at Michigan State University and Ohio State University and is currently part of the Wayne State University faculty.

Walter Blanding (tenor and soprano saxophones): For over 30 years, Walter has been bringing the joy of music to people across the globe, from New York to China and everywhere in between. As a music educator, Walter states: “I find great satisfaction in helping students benefit from lessons in a way that extends beyond the scope of music and lasts for a lifetime.” Using some of his experiences has been a great way of sharing valuable insights when teaching, his career includes performances and recordings with some of the great artists of our times; Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Wayne Shorter, Willie Nelson, Dianna Ross, Count Basie Orchestra, Cab Calloway, Branford Marsalis, Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Roy Hargrove, Tony Bennet, Elton John, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Liza Minelli, Bobby McFerrin, Sister Sledge, Isaac Hayes, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Billy Eckstine, Isaack Pearlman, Natalie Merchant, Seiji Ozawa, Joshua Bell, the New York Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Paris Radio Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Walter was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in New York City. His artistry began to impress critics and listeners alike in 1991, with his debut on Tough Young Tenors, acclaimed as one of the year’s best jazz albums. Since then, his musical and spiritual presence on this earth has continued to evolve. In 1999, a feature article in Newsweek International described Walter as the “Jazz Ambassador to Israel.” Walter lived in Israel for four years. He made a significant impact on the music scene, touring the country with his ensemble and with invited artists from the States. His presence and influence in the country have inspired the film “Caravan 841”, in which he was a featured actor. Walter also taught music in several Israeli schools and opened his private school in Tel Aviv. With his dedication to enriching lives by using the arts as a cultural exchange, Walter served as the Jazz Ambassador in Shanghai, China, for Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai from 2018 to 2020. In addition, he has been an artist in residence in Maine during the winter and spring season of 2022. Walter is currently the Professor of Jazz Saxophone at Michigan State University.

$25 General Admission, $10 Student