News Summary
Grand Rapids will soon host Evidence Jazz for the release of their new album ‘Live in Session at Blue Lake.’ The band, known for their unique musical expressions, recorded the album live in April 2025. The leader, Michael Doyle, draws inspiration from jazz legends and the band’s upcoming performance promises to engage the local music scene.
Grand Rapids is set to welcome the jazz band Evidence Jazz as they release their new album titled “Live in Session at Blue Lake”, scheduled for later this fall. This marks the band’s first album since 2008 and features a collection of original compositions, underscoring their commitment to showcasing unique musical expressions rather than traditional jazz standards.
The album was recorded live at Blue Lake Public Radio Studios in April 2025 during a special session for Lazaro Vega’s radio show on Earth Day. The recording was skillfully engineered and mixed by Steve Albert, with mastering completed by Dan Terpstra. Evidence Jazz aims to gain further national attention and airplay for their latest work, following their past successes.
Michael Doyle, the leader of Evidence Jazz, drew inspiration from the legendary Miles Davis and his iconic album “’Round About Midnight”, which he first heard as a child. This spark initiated Doyle’s musical journey, leading him to transition from clarinet to saxophone after discovering John Coltrane. Along his path, he also absorbed influence from jazz greats such as Dexter Gordon, Wilton Felder, Wayne Shorter, and Moble.
The current lineup of Evidence Jazz includes Doyle on tenor and soprano saxophone, Steve Talaga on piano, Tom Lockwood on bass, Fred Knapp on drums, and Matt Sumner, who plays both trumpet and flugelhorn. The band will feature their original music during a live performance at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids on Sunday, October 19, at 6 p.m. This event promises to enrich the local jazz scene, building on the tradition of community engagement and musical exploration.
In addition to their upcoming performance, The Michigan Music Showcase has already debuted two tracks from the new album, “Night Dream” and “Javalina Nights.” This program seeks to spotlight new music, including tracks from Evidence Jazz and various other artists, and airs on Fridays and Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online.
The band, formed in 1994 by Doyle, has made a significant mark on the jazz scene, with previous performances at prestigious events such as the Michigan Jazz Festival 2025 and a notable gig in Chicago. Doyle’s musical background began in the Bronx, influenced by jazz and Caribbean music from his father’s side and R&B, gospel, and blues from his mother’s side. He later pursued higher education in music, studying jazz performance at Talent Unlimited High School and the Armed Forces School of Music. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s in jazz studies from Michigan State University.
As they prepare to release their new album and take to the stage, Evidence Jazz is poised to continue its legacy while introducing their unique sound to a broader audience. Fans and jazz enthusiasts alike can look forward to their performance and the array of original compositions that will be featured in their upcoming album.
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Additional Resources
- Local Spins: Evidence Jazz Embracing the Unexpected
- Wikipedia: Jazz
- Local Spins: Jazz Musician Tommy Pancy
- Google Search: Jazz Music
- Local Spins: Chaka Khan at Meijer Gardens
- Google Scholar: Jazz Performances
- Local Spins: Stevie Wonder in Grand Rapids
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jazz Music
- Local Spins: Lowdown Brass Band
- Google News: Jazz Music News
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
