Pops’ Concert This Weekend is a Salute to Jazz and Louis Armstrong

For Early Jazz, Ragtime and Blues lovers, this weekend is for you!

The Grand Rapids Symphony Pops’ concert is a salute to early jazz with Ragtime, Blues and All That Jazz with Byron Stripling.
Stripling, who starred as Louis Armstrong in the nationally touring musical show, “Satchmo,” returns to DeVos Performance Hall with the great American music of the Jelly Roll Morton, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and, of course, Louis Armstrong.

Stripling has toured and recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and many more legends of jazz. He’s back with the Grand Rapids Symphony for his fourth appearance with the Grand Rapids Symphony by popular demand.

Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt leads the orchestra in music such as Irving Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” along with “Basin Street Blues” and “Saint Louis Blues.” Joining Stripling on stage will be keyboardist Bobby Floyd who formerly toured with both Ray Charles and with the Count Basie Band.

Better get your tickets fast. (CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS) There are only three concerts this weekend, Friday January 25, 8 p.m., Saturday January 26, 8 p.m. and Sunday January 27, 3 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.