JIM COOPER, vibes, marimba and composer, has been playing jazz on the vibraphone and marimba for over 35 years, leading numerous groups and appearing as a soloist and sideman. He has performed with Michigan pianist Jeff Haas, clarinetists Harry Goldson and Dave Bennet, Barrett Deems, Art Van Damme, Ira Sullivan and the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. His appearances include the Chicago, Sutton’s Bay, Lansing and Idelwild Jazz Festivals as well as in clubs and concerts throughout the United States as well as overseas.
A Delmark Recording Artist in the 1990s, his recordings Tough Town and Nutville, with legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, garnished favorable reviews; one Jazz Times article calling Cooper, “a warm vibist who goes for the heart.” His 1995 release, Itchin’ To Groove (Jazmyn) has also received favorable reviews. For more information, visit his website at www.jimcooper.net.
DAVE HAY, keyboards and composer, is one of the most in-demand pianists and bassists in the state of Michigan. His extensive performing credits include appearances with artists such as James Carter, Marcus Roberts, John Hicks, Bill Watrous, The Mills Brothers, Butch Miles, Jimmy Heath, Regina Carter, Ralphe Armstrong, Billy Hart, Elliot Zigmond, Randy Johnston, Marcus Belgrave, Kareem Riggens, The Lincoln Center Jazz Band, Jason Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis and Russell Malone. Dave studied piano at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy and bass at both Berklee College of Music in Boston and Michigan State University.
Dave currently teaches jazz at Grand Rapids Community College and Western Michigan University. Dave has also performed master classes with Nat Adderley, Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker and Rufus Reid.
MIKE VAN LENTE, drums, freelances and plays in many styles of music from theater gigs and small ensembles to big band. He studied drums and percussion both at Hope College in Holland, MI and at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. He has performed with Clark Terry, Fred Hersch, Kenny Wheeler, The John Shea Trio and Walt Weiskopf among others. In addition to performing in many clubs and concerts in West Michigan, Mike has appeared at the Detroit Jazz Festival, Sutton’s Bay Jazz Festival, concerts with the Holland Symphony Orchestra and toured Mexico with the Hope College Faculty Jazz Quintet.
In the past 3 years Mike has recorded CDs with five different ensembles in addition to playing numerous live performances on local radio programs. Mike has been on the faculty at Hope College for the past 20 years teaching jazz percussion and performs with the Faculty Jazz Quintet.
Influences
To many to list
Sounds Like
“a great blend of talent and instrumentation.”
Ken Sielof of Conn-Selmer-Musser
“Marvelous, creative, modern music.”
Linda Yohn, WEMU-FM
“Few West Michigan jazz bands do it any better .... the rhythmic interplay between band members make Trio Music a special project.” Grand Rapids Press
The Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Group is a West Michigan based jazz trio which formed in 2005 and features the unique sound of Jim Cooper on vibes and marimba, Dave Hay keyboards and Mike Van Lente on drums. Influenced by swing, fusion, latin and world music, CHV has been captivating audiences with their lively versions of jazz standards and original compositions. Their new CD, “Trio Musik” has just been released on Big O Records. TRIO MUSIK IS AVAILABLE ON THEIR GIGS, AND ON WWW.BIGORECORDS.COM AND CDBABY.COM.
Since it’s inception, the group has performed many places around the state of Michigan. Venues have included:
Hope College
• Saugatuck Center for the Arts
• The Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Grand Rapids Symphony Summer Pops Concerts
• The Thornapple Jazz Festival
• Cliff Bells Jazz Club
• Sutton’s Bay Jazz Festival
• Port Salinac Summer Concert Series
• Northern MI Jazz Society
Lansing Jazz Festival
Saugatuck/Douglas Jazz Festival
FOR INFORMATION ON BOOKINGS, CALL JAZMYN PRODUCTIONS AT 269.857.2800 OR EMAIL AT jazmynproductions@comcast.net
The Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Group's Friend Space (Top 7)
Hey, We currently are having a blow out sale for $20 per hr. to all vocalist Call me on my cell to set up some time @(269)720-9295 to set up some time
Eddie Anderson
Vice President
