Second Wave Media recently published and article about us – a wonderful piece by Mark Wedel – celebrating the jazz series we’ve been building at Crawlspace Theatre. Mark captured the vibe of our recent sold-out performance with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Jimmy Greene (joined by Keith Hall, Carlo De Rosa, and Matthew Fries). One of our favorite lines was that the night felt like “a New York jazz club, but with that New York energy times ten.” That’s exactly the experience we hope people feel when they walk into the room — intimate, electric, and deeply connected.
He also described how the setting itself shapes the music: “The proximity of the performers to the audience made the experience immediate and powerful — every note, every vibration was shared up close.” That closeness is what makes these concerts so special for both musicians and listeners.
Mark recognized the broader impact too: “For WMU students, these concerts are like live masterclasses, offering the chance to witness artistry on the highest level without leaving town.” Creating those opportunities for our students and community is at the heart of why we do this.
And none of it would be possible without the John Stites Jazz Award, which, as the article noted, “provides the support that makes this monthly series sustainable, accessible, and ambitious.” Thanks to that support, we’ve been able to bring in artists like Jimmy Greene, and we’re looking forward to hosting Rufus Reid, Bobby Watson, Libby York, and more this season…
We’re proud to be part of Kalamazoo’s thriving jazz scene, and thrilled to see it celebrated in print. As Mark Wedel wrote, Crawlspace has “that New York energy times ten” — and we can’t wait for you to feel it for yourself at our upcoming concerts.
Read the full article by Mark Wedel here: Kalamazoo’s got jazz, and Crawlspace has ‘that New York energy times ten’