A Jazz Performance in Celebration of Robert Busby and MSU Jazz

[Joan Nelson]

A special event to celebrate the life of Robert Busby, an extraordinary person known as the 'Mayor of Old Town' and to support the MSU Jazz Studies Program, an absolute gem led by world renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker.

Friday, April 3 @ 8 p.m. at Creole Gallery,
1218 Turner Street in Lansing's Old Town

Ena Busby and Meegan Holland present

A CELEBRATION OF ROBERT P. BUSBY

Featuring MSU's Jazz Orchestra, directed by Rodney Whitaker

So many people generously donated to the Robert P. Busby Jazz Scholarship Fund when Robert died in February 2007. Since then, the fund has htelped jazz students with college tuition and a trip to Japan for a life-changing international experience.

Now, the scholarship fund needs an injection of money, and Ena Busby, Robert's daughter, and Meegan Holland, his girlfriend, are ready to host a night at Creole Gallery in his honor. 

Busby was beloved in the Lansing community for his support of artists, commitment to renovating Old Town's buildings and ability to reach out to people from all walks of life. After his untimely death, Mayor Virg Bernero renamed the bridge over Grand River Avenue in Old Town as the Robert P. Busby Memorial Bridge.

Thanks to Busby's vision, Creole Gallery became a gathering place for people who love art, performance and music. Holland presented concerts for nine years at the Creole up until Busby's death.

Ena Busby is carrying on her dad's commitment, and to this day, the Creole hosts WLNZ's Grand River Radio Concert series, Peppermint Creek Theatre productions and the Old Town Poetry Series. The gallery also continues to show area artists' work.

For the April 3 performance, MSU will bring its 18-member Jazz Orchestra and two vocalists. Faculty soloists will add to the evening's fun. MSU Jazz Studies Director Rodney Whitaker is planning a program of music by Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder and more.

Tickets are $25, and available now at Archives Books, 519 W. Grand River Avenue in East Lansing (just east of Harrison), and Elderly Instruments, 1100 N. Washington. Make checks out to Small Things Productions.

For more information, contact Meegan Holland at 517-242-0295.

Also

On Monday, March 30,  MSU Jazz Band 1 will be performing in the Music Building at 7:00 pm.  The concert will feature the work of John Clayton and Duke Ellington. Tickets are $9, $7 for seniors, and free for students and those under age 18.

--
Joan Nelson, Director
Allen Neighborhood Center
1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
517-999-3912