Now in it’s 27th season, the UpBeat Cadillac music series is bringing a stellar collection of artists once again! Music begins at 7pm each Thursday night through the summer at the Cadillac Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion overlooking Lake Cadillac. New this year, is the After Hours Market featuring a variety of vendors and food trucks!
Here is a closer look at the musical line-up…
The Jack Pine Savages – Thursday, June 23
Combining some of southern Michigan’s most talented musicians to create the soulful, bluesy and dynamic sound that’s capturing audiences all over Michigan. Drums: Geno Parker, bassist: Wayne Morton, saxophonist: David Huber and lead guitar/vocalist: Bill Malone. Unique and powerful!
Ted Alan and the Under-Privileged – featuring Rob Smith – Thursday, June 30
Don’t miss this band. Rob Smith is known by many to be one of the best horn (trumpet/saxes and flute) players, in the USA. (Director of Jazz Studies at CMU), Cliff Metcalf carries on the great Midwest tradition of Hammond B-3 and grooves tight with veteran drummer John Lindy. Fronted by guitarist/singer Ted Alan, Flint native, who spent 30 years wandering the west collecting the coolest, hippest, voughtiest grooves, on the planet.
Double Trouble – Thursday, July 7
Mary Rademacher and Francesca Amari w/the Mark Kahny Band – Pop, Jazz, Showtunes. Francesca and Mary team up with the Mark and the band to unleash their “fearsome diva” cabaret show. Their exciting combination of tight harmony, sassy choreography and audience participation is sure to make for a toe-tapping, sing-along evening of entertainment.
Rockelle Whitaker Group – Thursday, July 14
Performing straight-ahead classic jazz, pop, blues, funk, soul and rhythm and blues. Songbird Rockelle leads a group of standouts from her father Rodney Whitaker’s, “world class” music program at MSU. Sarah Whitaker/drums, Stephen Grady/sax, Jeremiah Edwards/bass and Ben Turner/guitar.
Greg Nagy’s Men of Leisure featuring Donny Brown (Verve Pipe) – Thursday, July 21
Eclectic blend of pop, soul, blues and rock. Greg Nagy (Larry McCray),is an internationally acclaimed artist (singer/songwriter/guitarist) whose music has appeared live and on XM radio globally. Joining Greg is internationally recognized cast of musicians. Donny Brown, guitar/vocals and drums, is a highly-acclaimed songwriter and performer who was a founding member and principal songwriter of The Verve Pipe. Virtuoso, Jim Alfredson on keys/vocals, and veterans Glenn Giordano, drums and Joseph Veloz, bass.
Bobby Murrays Detroit All Stars – Thursday, July 28
Bobby Murray is Grammy winning blues artist who has recorded with Etta James, BB King, and toured with Albert Collins. He also toured the world as Etta’s guitarist, for 23 years. Joining Bobby is a critically acclaimed lineup featuring Lenny Watkins on vocals, Greg Nagy (Larry McCray) on guitar and vocals, Dale Grisa on keys, John Barron on bass and Renell Gonsalves on drums. This all-star cast performs deep, soulful rock and even funky party time blues!
Planet D Nonet – Thursday, August 4
“A down & dirty nine-piece swing band” from Detroit. The Nonet play classic charts from Ellington/Strayhorn, Count Basie, Benny Carter and more modern charts by Sun Ra and Pharoah Saunders – always with a bluesy, Motor City twist.
Robert Pace’s Natures Brew – Thursday, Aug 11
Steeped in funky blues, pop, gospel, R&B and soul, Robert’s approach to the music will leave you wanting more. Bright, brisk, smooth, pungent, mature, always earthy, occasionally complex, Look for Robert and the Brew Crew’ to satisfy your full-bodied, entertainment palate. Featuring Rick Hicks on guitar/vocals.
Paul Nelson Band – Thursday, August 18
Power house guitarist – 2x Grammy Winner Paul was Johnny Winter’s protégé and long time lead guitarist for the Johnny Winter Band. Touring the world for decades, he has played along side Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Dr. John, Slash, Brian Setzer and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. Appearing as both guitarist/songwriter on rock/blues legend Johnny Winter’s Grammy-nominated Virgin/EMI release I’m A Bluesman, as well as producer/performer on “Roots” and Grammy winning Step Back on Megaforce. Appearing in and executive producer on Johnny Winter’s Down and Dirty Movie. The PNB’s CD, Bad Ass Generation (Sony Records) he received rave reviews and world recognition. A diverse blues/rock fusion based sophisticated journey of boundless energy, displaying ferocious solo sections yet showing us his control over an emotional side of playing, while holding it all together with a tasteful melodic sense.
Eat It Up Trio w/Ellie Martin -Thursday, August 25
Detroit-based and undeniably swinging, the Eat It Up Trio is Sean Perlmutter on drums, bassist Trevor Lamb and piano/vocalist Mike Harrison. Combining original songs with a versatile repertoire, spanning traditional jazz to modern R&B, funk, folk, country, classic rock & bebop. Dedicated to provide a good time, especially when joined by the tremendous Toledo talent Ellie Martin. Ellie is a veteran jazz singer-songwriter, with passionate vocals and fearless improvisational skills.