Jazz ensemble kicks off art center season

LUDINGTON – Checkers Morton, a new age/jazz ensemble, will kick off the 2013-2014 Ludington Area Center for the Arts performing arts series Friday, Oct. 11.

The ensemble formed in Grand Haven and has been playing together for 40 years. Checkers Morton finds its musical inspiration from the power of Lake Michigan and the power of free music and creates music that invokes beauty and deep meditation. The group forges a unique experience for the audience playing music inspired by the energy that flows from the heart and soul. In addition to some jazz standards, original compositions by all of the members will be performed on wood, reeds, brass, ivory and primal drums ranging from Dan Giocobassi’s light hearted “Padge” to Gus VanStee’s deeply inspiring “Little Raga.”

Checkers Morton includes Dave Collee on bass, Gus VanStee on keys, Jim Beegle on trumpet, flugelhorn, congas and flute, Dan Giocobassi on saxes, flute and shakuhachi and Tim Froncek on the drums.

Tickets for the Friday, October 11 performance of Checkers Morton are $12 ($10 for LACA members) in advance and all tickets are $15 at the door. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins in the LACA Performance Hall at 7:30pm. Purchase tickets at LACA offices, between noon and 5pm, or reserve them by calling 231-845-2787. Tickets must be paid in advance to qualify for the lower pricing. For a complete calendar of LACA events, visit www.ludingtonartscenter.org.