Sunny Wilkinson has at least one clear hope for the near future: Bring the sound of jazz back to Lansing’s Old Town. And what better way to start than with the MSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
After Wilkinson, the ensemble’s director, met Perspective2 Studio founder and CEO Lynne Brown, the pair was able to combine their two visions of a new Old Town and plan the first of what they hope will be many performances to come.
Wilkinson’s 12-piece jazz ensemble will make its debut performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Perspective2 Studio, 319 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing.
“I am very excited at this new collaboration,” said Wilkinson. “(Lynne) is a perfect person to collaborate with for an event such as this.”
The ensemble is hoping Old Town’s “big city” feeling will add to the overall tone of the performance and the space itself.
“Old Town has a really cool vibe, one that I think the (Vocal Jazz Ensemble) will feel at home in,” said alto ensemble member Natalie Galey, a jazz studies senior.
Brown said she is excited to not only host the event, but to be bringing what she believes to be quality performances to her studio.
“Sunny is just a phenomenal person, so I’m thrilled she is performing here,” Brown said. “The best connection you can have is the personal one-on-one with a performer and you get that here.”
With aspirations to make the event annual, Wilkinson and Brown said they think Old Town has what it takes to begin drawing the kind of crowd it deserves, and Brown’s studio is a great place to showcase that.
“Old Town is the creative resource for this area and I want to have as many creative productions as I can offer,” said Brown. “Having different music and creative venues has always been a part of my business model.”
Though Brown acknowledges many students may have a difficult time making the trip to Old Town, she doesn’t seem to be too concerned about it.
“A lot of students don’t venture far from the MSU campus,” said Brown. “But we’re trying to get students to venture here.
“If they enjoy having music in a personal venue where you are getting the sounds of jazz that aren’t readily available, then this is the opportunity to have that.”
All of the proceeds for the performance will be going to the MSU Joy Vallier Fund for Vocal Jazz. Tickets will cost $12 for students and $15 for the general public.