Be-Bop Spartans will perform in Canton Saturday

Jazz xylophonist Stefon Harris

The Michigan State University Be-Bop Spartans, a 25-member student jazz orchestra under the direction of Conductor Rodney Whitaker, will perform selections from their repertoire of jazz, soul, swing, and blues at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26.  Joining the MSU performers will be special guest Stefon Harris, one of the premier jazz xylophonists, along with the Plymouth High School Jazz Band.  

Harris belongs to the grand lineage of vibraphonists in jazz and is a master player and true virtuoso. Recognized as “the real deal” at a young age, Harris performed with Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Buster Williams, Kenny Barron, Cassandra Wilson, and many other legends - and made his recording debut as a leader on Blue Note Records in 1998, when he was only 25. Winner of “best vibraphonist” awards in DownBeat and JazzTimes polls, Harris has gone on to become a mentor to a new generation of players.

The Be-Bop Spartans are conducted by internationally renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker. A professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, Whitaker has performed and toured with more than 100 legendary performing jazz artists.

Comprised of jazz orchestra I students, the instrumentation includes saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass, drums, piano, and guitar. 

Tickets to this special performance are $10 general admission or $5 for students and can be purchased  online at www.cantonvillagetheater.org or by calling (734) 394-5300. Tickets can also be purchased at The Village Theater Box Office one hour prior to showtime. 

The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI 48187. For additional information, visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org or call (734) 394-5300.